Tech: Looking to buy a Mandcello

Subject: Tech: Looking to buy a Mandcello
From: Striper
Date: 30 Jul 07 - 12:23 PM

I am looking to buy a mandocello similar to Steve Knightley's, mainly because I like the look of his rather than the guitar or onion shaped variety. I know the David Oddies are hard to come by and that hre may be a large waiting list. has anybody any ideas please. Thanx Striper.

Subject: RE: Tech: Looking to buy a Mandcello
From: Wesley S
Date: 30 Jul 07 - 12:33 PM

For those of us who don't know Steve Knightley - can you describe what his look like? Is it an "F" shape? If so I would think the fastest place to find one would be through the Weber Mandolin Co.

Subject: RE: Tech: Looking to buy a Mandcello
From: Leadfingers
Date: 30 Jul 07 - 12:52 PM

There are not many made for general sale - Most of them I have seen have been Custom Made ! Save up a LOT of Pennies !!

Subject: RE: Tech: Looking to buy a Mandcello
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 30 Jul 07 - 02:11 PM

Most I'v seen have been old Gibsons

Subject: RE: Tech: Looking to buy a Mandcello
From: John Hardly
Date: 30 Jul 07 - 02:51 PM

this one?

Subject: RE: Tech: Looking to buy a Mandcello
From: mandotim
Date: 30 Jul 07 - 03:30 PM

I have one that looks a lot like Steve Knightly's, but mine was made by Rob Armstrong in Coventry. Rob is always worth a look. Incidentally; as I remember, Steve doesn't tune his as a mandocello. Tunings (I think) are GDAE, or octave mandolin tuning, and sometimes GDAD, often used as an 'open' bouzouki tuning, although without the octave strings on the bass courses. To tune as a true mandocello, you need to be a full fifth lower, tuned CGDA. This requires a very heavy bass string, somewhere around .065 or so. Otherwise, the bass string is too 'floppy' on this scale length.

An alternative is to buy an octave mandolin. Fylde do a nice one, and there are lots of smaller builders around who will do bespoke instruments. At the less expensive end, I played one of these recently, and it was well made and sounded great. May be tricky to source in the UK though.
Good luck!
Tim

Subject: RE: Tech: Looking to buy a Mandcello
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 30 Jul 07 - 03:51 PM

I have an Oddy, and can vouch for his superlative workmanship. Armstrongs are good too. but I still enjoy playing the Gremlin I got for a tenth of the price from hobgoblin.

Subject: RE: Tech: Looking to buy a Mandcello
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 31 Jul 07 - 04:18 AM

Eastman make a mandocello, there is one for sale at The Music Room, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire.

If you can find it check out David Grisman on mandocello and Jerry Garcia on guitar playing Brahms Cradle Song, wonderful.

eric