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Subject: Question


My husband wants a mandolin. He plays bass guitar and I thought he told me that there was a bass mandolin but I don't think that's right could it be an octave mandolin.

Thanks

Marie

Greetings Marie,

Yes, there is such a thing as a mandobass...only they're quite rare...they were popular during the mandolin orchestra craze of the early 1900s. Especially since they filled the bottom end void of these orchestras...these orchestras also consisted of mandocellos, mandolas and octave mandolins. Today, the mandobass is just never seen...I've been playing mandolin now for 30+ years...and to date, have never seen or played a mandobass. I personally play the mandocello, the mandola, the octave mandolin and the standard mandolin. The closest instrument, in the mandolin family, to the mandobass, would be the mandocello. This instrument is tuned an octave lower than the mandola in C G D A tuning....it does fill a large (bottom-end) void for acoustic string bands...and may be perfect for your husband...since it can serve as both a bass instrument and a melody instrument. You might want to research this further to ensure you're getting the right instrument for your husband...my suggestion would be to get in contact with Weber Mandolins; they build custom mandobasses...only very seldom is there a request for one...just let Paula know that Mickey sent you...

http://www.soundtoearth.com/

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