Help: 12 string mandolins

Subject: RE: Help: 12 string mandolins
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 17 Aug 01 - 02:04 PM

This other current mandolin thread has some useful stuff and links, which might be of help, "GUEST,guest,jack." ("Guest squared jack" is tha?)

Subject: RE: Help: 12 string mandolins
From: GUEST,guest,jack
Date: 17 Aug 01 - 01:02 PM

This mandolin(mandola?) has a flat back and round "soundports".The peghead has a cutout,similar to pictures I've seen of old Lyon&Healy instruments.Thanks for the info regarding the string guages,Mooman,jack

Subject: RE: Help: 12 string mandolins
From: mooman
Date: 17 Aug 01 - 03:54 AM

I've owned one of these little beasties and they make a very rich sound indeed.

There appear to be Neapolitan, Portuguese and Central/South American variations (in Mexico a variant is called the "Tricordia").

The most usual tuning seems to be GGGDDDAAAEEE in unison. Regarding string gauges, I would be inclined to go on the light side. Certainly no more than 10/14/24/34 and perhaps down to 9/13/22/32 to reduce overall string tension a little.

I've seen mandola scale length versions as well. Guest Jack, does your instrument have a bowl back, perhaps in rosewood? If so, the inlay on the pickguard and the sound holes on the edges of the instrument (if they are like short slots where the back meets the sides) is typical of the DiMeglio workshop in Naples although other workshops like Tonino copied the design. A nice DiMeglio mandolin in good condition by the way is a reasonably sought after instrument by classical players and will fetch about 400-500 pounds sterling these days.

Best regards

mooman

Subject: RE: Help: 12 string mandolins
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 17 Aug 01 - 12:18 AM

Ummmm.....triple strings instead of double? Is one of them an octave lower like on a 12-string guitar? I'm having trouble picturing it.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Help: 12 string mandolins
From: GUEST,guest,jack
Date: 16 Aug 01 - 08:49 PM

I have an old 12 string mandolin I plan to repair some day. The pick guard is inlaid with pearl and brass wire,then the entire pickguard is inlaid into the top. The tuners have brass plates and the knobs are bone.There are two "sound ports" located about the widest part of the body.No label or markings.I've wondered also about the tunings the string guages. This instrument has a 15 + scale length,and I'm wondering if it might be a mandola rather than a mandolin. Hopefully,someone will come along with more information.

Subject: RE: Help: 12 string mandolins
From: GUEST,Frugz
Date: 16 Aug 01 - 08:32 PM

Thanks for that McGrath.......I'll look at it properly tomorrow as the bottle of Bushmills that I tripped over this evening appears to have damaged my central nervous system.....thanks for your birthday wishes too......

Frank

Subject: RE: Help: 12 string mandolins
From: Peg
Date: 16 Aug 01 - 08:18 PM

wow a very cool giftie!

I saw an old Vega mando in a shop the other day and was lusting after it...too rich for my blood, tho.

Peg

p.s. there is a new documentary coming out; "Grateful Dawg," about the Garcia-Grisman band; lots of close-ups of Dave Grisman playing the mandolin; he is very damn good.

Subject: RE: Help: 12 string mandolins
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 16 Aug 01 - 08:14 PM

Here's a site I came across the other day which might lead to even more mandolin experts than you'll find here.

And happy birthday, young man. What a sensible wife you have.

Subject: 12 string mandolins
From: GUEST,Frugz
Date: 16 Aug 01 - 07:57 PM

Hi guys! Yesterday was my 50th and as a surprise the wife bought me an old 12 string mandolin..........Great except I don't know the ins and outs of the 12 string beast, I tinker on the normal 8..........Any advice, clues, string gauges, tuning tips greatly appreciated.

Frank