Mandolins: are there wide necks?

Subject: Mandolins: are there wide necks?
From: Peter T.
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 08:24 AM

Almost never have we had a mandolin thread, so I have no idea if anyone out there plays one -- but just out of interest, as someone with challenged fingers, is there any kind of mandolin made that has wide frets, as opposed to the normal ones? Never have been able to get started on one because of the cramped spacing.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Mandolins: are there wide necks?
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 08:49 AM

Peter, I'm not exactly answering your question but Dennis Havlena's site has details of how to easily convert a 6 string conventional steel strung guitar to an 8 string instrument that non-purists might describe as a citern or octave mandolin. You actually end up with more finger width than for conventional guitar playing. Dennis' site is a lot of practical fun, with very detailed instructions and answers to questions like "won't the extra 2 strings rip the bridge off?" and can be found HERE.

Regards, John

Subject: RE: Mandolins: are there wide necks?
From: Mooh
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 09:39 AM

Wide neck in the title, wide frets in the text, not the same thing.

For a standard sort of scale length but a wider neck you'd likely be best to discuss the option with a custom builder, though there is some variation in neck widths generally and it would take a lot of shopping around to find a substantially wider than usual neck.

For wider frets you'd need to look at mandolas, octave mandolins, bouzoukis, and citterns, most of which also have wider necks. My bouzouki for example has string spacing based on the middle four courses of my 12 string guitar, and so the neck is substantially wider than a mandolin's.

It sounds to me like a mandola would suit you.

Check out www.mandolincafe.net for more information.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Mandolins: are there wide necks?
From: Peter T.
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 09:42 AM

Thanks for the information -- just to be moronic, what are the current variations in width -- do different manufacturers have different widths for mandolins, or are they all the same (they all look the same to me, something Thumbelina would play)?

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Mandolins: are there wide necks?
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 09:45 AM

if you can find a cheap 2nd hand reasonable quality
kids 1/2 or 3/4 size guitar
[acoustic or electric..either will do]
you then got a good starting point for a DIY customisation job
with just the kind of neck you're looking for..

Subject: RE: Mandolins: are there wide necks?
From: Mooh
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 10:34 AM

Well, they're not all the same, though there's not a lot of difference in the big scheme of things. I once had a Washburn F style with a neck about 1/8" narrower than my Moon flattop A style, and the Washburn was very hard on my first finger, where the Moon doesn't bother me at all. Surf through the Mandolin Cafe site mentioned above and you'll find discussion on the issue I'm sure.

There are builders, Glen Reid comes to mind, who would build what you want for less than many new factory instruments, and do it better in my opinion.

One thing to consider is string spacing vs nut width. Some necks can occommodate wider string spacing if there's enough room outside the 1st and 4th courses. A decent tech can adjust the spacing at the nut.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Mandolins: are there wide necks?
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 11:48 AM

i want one of these but cant afford it..

http://www.jerryjonesguitars.com/Nshorty.htm

so am considering working on a DIY equivalent project ..

the mid 4 courses would be strung as mandolin..
the outer 2 courses would provide options
for different drone string configurations..

at the moment i use a 12 string electric capo'd at fret 12
for mandolin range..
uncapo'd for mandola..

and the guitar reqires no modification work at all..
just considered/compromise choice of string guages..

so easy..

Subject: RE: Mandolins: are there wide necks?
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 11:53 AM

..bugger.. must remember to refresh cookies..

Btw.. a reasonable solid body kids size guitar
for messing about with and drilling & sawing
are the recent 3/4 size fender squiers..

got one 2nd hand for £25
and the wood & electrics are at least as good as
far more expensive 'handcrafted' solid body electric mandolins..

..and samick do a fair range of 1/2 size kids electric guitars..
but theysadly have a stupid headstock design
which makes it very difficult to attach
2 extra machine heads..

Subject: RE: Mandolins: are there wide necks?
From: open mike
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 01:12 PM

lots of guys with big hands and big fingers seem to have
mastered the mandolin. It seems many mando players are
tall and skinny with long fingers, though. I do believe
you would find more space on teh finger board with larger
ones, like mandola, octave mandolins, etc. you might find
some interesting info in this magazine...i used to subscribe.
http://www.musixnow.com/MWN.html
http://www.mandoweb.com/15_MandolinFam.htm
and here is a fellow who our folk society presented in concert recently:
http://www.zenkl.com
http://www.zenkl.com/restless.htm

Subject: RE: Mandolins: are there wide necks?
From: Spot
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 03:03 PM

Peter T..
            I play a Collings MT2 A-style - its 1.1/8th" at the nut. That, I think, is a bit narrow...ok, but a bit narrow. I also play an Oakwood teardrop special which is 1.1/4" at the nut.That is a bit wider and boy, does it feel it!! Still good to play but wider.Its wider all the way up... Dunno where you are but if you can get an Oakwood, my advice is get one...quick!! PM for more details if you wish...
             Regards to all....Spot

Subject: RE: Mandolins: are there wide necks?
From: Chris Green
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 05:32 PM

Get a bouzouki! Big frets and long scale length, so that it has a less plunky sound than the mandolin or mandola! :)

Subject: RE: Mandolins: are there wide necks?
From: GUEST,Jon.Thrift
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 05:51 PM

Check out older flat backed mandolins i.e early gibson A2's they tend to be much wider necked instruments than modern mandolins.

Subject: RE: Mandolins: are there wide necks?
From: GUEST,Bigchuck cookieless for some reason
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 06:03 PM

The older Gibson A mandos (those with the oval soundholes) definitely have wider fingerboards than is the current norm. Mid-Missouri offers some models with wide fingerboards that are quite nice to play on. I have large, blunt fingers and have played mandolin for years. It _is_ possible.

Sandy

Subject: RE: Mandolins: are there wide necks?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 07:12 PM

Peter - I learned the basics on a cheap mando with a conventional narrow neck - When it came to the push and I was actually earning pennies from playing I had one built and so was able to specify how wide I wanted the neck should be . It could well be that if you shop around you may find one to suit , but the indications are it is going to cost you !! Sorry ,but thats the way the string breaks !!

Subject: RE: Mandolins: are there wide necks?
From: Bernard
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 08:53 PM

I'd suggest persevering on improving your technique. As mentioned above, there are lots of fat fingered mandolin players who manage on standard instruments, and I'm one of them!!

The mistake most people make is to have the fingers on the wrong axis - if your palm is parallel to the fingerboard, the fingernails should also be parallel to the strings, and your fingers then take up less room. It also makes stretching easier - with practice!

;o)

Subject: RE: Mandolins: are there wide necks?
From: Peter T.
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 05:53 PM

I have a busted finger (the nerves don't work too well) so need something wide. It sounds as if 1.1/4" is the widest out there, yes?

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Mandolins: are there wide necks?
From: Bernard
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 06:37 PM

Okay... Fairy Nuff!!

A custom job would be the answer, then.

Subject: RE: Mandolins: are there wide necks?
From: mooman
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 05:57 AM

Dear Peter,

Certainly there are any number of luthiers, including in the UK, making wide neck mandolins, sometimes also with an extra course of strings. Paul Shippey is one that comes to mind immediately.

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: Mandolins: are there wide necks?
From: Davetnova
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 06:08 AM

If the custom route sounds expensive. There is a portugese instrument similar to mandolin(can't remember the name but someone will shortly) that has twelve stings, in four courses of three. Taking a string from each course gives you a mandolin with a wide fretboard and four spare machine heads.

Subject: RE: Mandolins: are there wide necks?
From: mooman
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 06:16 AM

That's a "Portuguese mandolin" funnily enough Davetnova although I believe it has a Portuguese name as well which escapes me for the moment. Some of those certainly have wider necks but, incredibly, some manage to squeeze the extra four strings in on a normal width neck (calling for extra-accurate playing).

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: Mandolins: are there wide necks?
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 16 Dec 04 - 01:01 PM

Hi
I know of one old model of Gibson "A" style with "f" holes, an uncommonly long scale (a little over 14") and an uncommonly wide neck, meaning it is probably 1/8" wider than the usual old Gibson neck. If this difference would be helpful the model to look for is the "wide body" model sold during the late 1930's. They are never marked with a model number, and I have uncovered some data to indicate they were called A-1 mandolins at the time of sale, though they are typically referred to as "wide body A-50" style. Though the body width is only half an inch over the normal, they look very wide at first glance. The sound is a fairly typical A-50 sound, and they are remarkably non-collectible, i.e. I have seen several on ebay over the past couple years for under $500 in need of a little work (small cracks near the sound holes are common). I owned one that I had restored, and sold it to a bluegrass playing friend who is a guitar player who doubles on mando; he wanted more playing room, had no idea these things were out there, and fell in love with its size in his hands. They turn up at least a few times a year on ebay, and you'll often see them set up and being re-sold for a grand or more by retail vintage dealers. A web search for "wide body gibson mandolin" may well turn up a few examples on the market. Hope this helps!
Rick

Subject: RE: Mandolins: are there wide necks?
From: BobtheBirder
Date: 16 Dec 04 - 01:21 PM

If you're not too bothered about the quality, then try the cheapo imports from Korea etc. They usually come with wider necks than most hand made jobies. I have a Davison and the action makes it so utterly easy to play, even with my big clumsy fingers! The smaller, early Fylde mandolas would also be an answer - but very hard to find!

Subject: RE: Mandolins: are there wide necks?
From: GUEST,BIG ANDY
Date: 16 Dec 04 - 01:24 PM

try a mandola its up a scail, and you can get bigger to the side of a bubbel bass.

Subject: RE: Mandolins: are there wide necks?
From: Donuel
Date: 16 Dec 04 - 05:36 PM

Mandolas on ebay are sometimes called cello mandolins.
I like to play mandolin but I come at it with a lifetime of playing the cello so Bach suites and the like are very natural.

What I need are some good fundamentals for mandolin so I can cross over to more folk applications with a bit more ease.

Any books tapes etc?

Subject: RE: Mandolins: are there wide necks?
From: Peter T.
Date: 16 Dec 04 - 08:34 PM

Continuing thanks for all the assistance. yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Mandolins: are there wide necks?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 17 Dec 04 - 05:05 AM

What the feck is a ' bubbel bass ' ?

eric

Subject: RE: Mandolins: are there wide necks?
From: GUEST,BIG ANDY
Date: 17 Dec 04 - 02:11 PM

sorry= tort in emsworth yong effenders