SteveZ - Posted - 05/24/2014:  15:08:23

Sometimes there's a need for a travel or quieter mandolin, one that is physically much smaller than the average A- or F-style or can be played in environments which require some stealth.  There are several travel mandolins out there, from the Sweet Pea to various stick-types, but all just seem to be narrow-bodied rather than "travel-sized."

Have tried a couple ukulele conversions as travelers, retuning each to GDAE.  Soprano-sized ukuleles are the easiest (and smallest) to convert. Aquila makes a GDAE string set for soprano ukes for $6-10 depending on the vendor.  There also are string options by using monofilament/fluorocarbon fishing line (don't laugh, they sound fine) and a single wound low-G string (also commercially available for $2-4).  

If you find yourself looking for a carryon-sized GDAE traveler or just something to quietly play while folk sleep, here's a couple options that I use.

1.  RISA Solid-Soprano Ukulele - This is an electric ukulele.  RISAs are made in Germany, are very solid, and when not plugged into an amp of any kind are very quiet.  They are short  (18") and light (1 pound or so).  When I want more sound than just the strings, I use a Joyo mini-amp which has a speaker and an earphone plug.  For me, the Aquila E string breaks often on tuning, so I use 20lb-test (.018"/.044mm) monofilament fishing line as my alternative E string.  The RISA is the smallest of the two options and I have plugged it in to larger amps with surprisingly good results. RISAs cost in the $140-250 range, depending on new or used purchase.

2.  Standard Soprano Ukulele - If the goal is an inexpensive traveler, this option has inexpensive won.  The image shows a Diamond Head DU-150 soprano ukulele made by Saga Music (makers of Rover/Kentucky mandolins).  The DU-150 lists by Saga at $45, but can be found for a lot less.  The Aquila GDAE strings (which this one has) work very well, including the finicky E string.  The DU-150 is only 21" long and weighs just a little less than the RISA. The sound quality of today's nylon-string soprano ukuleles is quite pleasant.  

No, these options don't sound like a Gilchrist, Gibson, or even a Rogue.  They are what they are - a quiet/travel substitute which provides mandolin-like play when "ringing it out" just isn't appropriate or convenient, or baggage limitations make taking a full-sized mandolin a struggle.  

Am interested in how others have handled these particular playing situations.

Travel Options

phiddlepicker - Posted - 05/25/2014:  04:30:15

I traveled internationally on a regular basis in the military and after the military for school. I own two Martin backpackers for those purposes.Once out of the military my allowances for luggage became severely restricted and overages are expensive. The Backpacker is easy to place centrally in a suitcase and pack protectively all around with clothing. It was also inexpensive enough that were it to be damaged or broken it would not be a significant loss.

Another option for real quiet would be a solid body and take along a headphone amp(as in your pic above). I used to do that with my Fender solid body Fiddle quiet enough for any hotel room or barracks.

You pretty much had it covered anyway.

TSSN - Posted - 05/25/2014:  05:46:05

I went in search of this very thing some time back.  I had a broken Mid-Missouri M-1 remade into this one here.  Of course, it doesn't sound like a real M-1 (which is awesome, of course), with most of the sound chamber gone, but then, I was looking precisely for something inexpensive, that would fit in my checked luggage, and I wouldn't care if it was damaged.  Anyway, it's a nice way to salvage a busted mando from the trash heap...

Salvaged and repurposed Mid-Missouri M-1

SteveZ - Posted - 05/25/2014:  07:57:32

Forgot about the Martin Backpacker. Haven't seen one in quite a while.  

That mini-Mid-Mo is quite neat.  Necessity is the mother.....

TSSN - Posted - 05/28/2014:  04:16:39

quote:

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Originally posted by SteveZ

 

Forgot about the Martin Backpacker. Haven't seen one in quite a while.  

That mini-Mid-Mo is quite neat.  Necessity is the mother.....

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The only downside, if you can call it that, with the converted Mid-Mo is that the missing body also makes it a little harder to hold and keep stable.  Still, it serves the intended purpose.

Edited by - TSSN on 05/28/2014 04:17:13

phiddlepicker - Posted - 05/28/2014:  09:10:28

Regardless of the mandolin I happen to be playing, in my experience there is a stability coefficient that is directly proportional to the amount of whiskey I consume which inevitably reaches equilibrium at the peak of the satisfaction curve.