Some of the responses to my thread about the accoustic bass guitar (ABG) have awakened another thought.

A number of people have welcomed the idea in general, but also pointed to the possibility of people playing together and not all playing the same tune. Whilst this is hardly new, and most sight readers could do it any time, most of us buskers would find it bit difficult.

I recently fitted very fat strings to my Mandola. As a result I had to tune it down 5 semitones. This makes quite a different instrument. Good low notes but not as quick and bright. Hopw effective is it to mplay half the notes in a tune whilst letting somebody with a higher pitched instrument play the whole tune?

I called this thread Folk String Quartet, I have no raeson to suggest exclusivity, reeds and whatever could fit the bill?