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Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.mandohangout.com/archive/43566
MANDOBLU - Posted - 02/03/2016: 10:58:39
Hi
Has anyone ever thought that tuning your mandolin down a whole step (FCGD-low to high) instead of standard tuning might be a safeguard for the neck? By having the less tension continually on the neck would it not be safe to assume that this would preserve the life of the neck? Of course you would have to drop the chord names by a whole step and work around that. Is this a good idea or is it not worth the bother? I have not played mando for a while and am now getting back into it as a secondary instrument alongside of guitar.
TI_USER - Posted - 02/04/2016: 10:59:34
A mandolin that is designed properly is made to withstand that tension. Not only is it un-necessary, but it most likely would negatively affect the tone. The top is made to vibrate properly at a certain tension and the strings would probably sound and feel a bit floppy. The key is to get a well-built mandolin to start with. I've been playing mandolin for 40 years and have never had a neck issue.
Well, not with the mandolin neck anyway.
MANDOBLU - Posted - 02/04/2016: 13:59:46
quote:
Originally posted by TI_USER
A mandolin that is designed properly is made to withstand that tension. Not only is it un-necessary, but it most likely would negatively affect the tone. The top is made to vibrate properly at a certain tension and the strings would probably sound and feel a bit floppy. The key is to get a well-built mandolin to start with. I've been playing mandolin for 40 years and have never had a neck issue.
Well, not with the mandolin neck anyway.
thank you for the sound advice. I just bought an Eastman MD 304 oval hole all solid/carved mandolin from Elderly for just under $500. I think that is a more than sound "beginner mandolin".
UsuallyPickin - Posted - 02/05/2016: 05:32:38
Eastman is a "sound" choice for a good yet inexpensive instrument. TI USER gives good advice about tension. Let me add that humidity . lack thereof actually, will have more noticeable effect on you mandolin than you are used to "seeing" o your guitars. Depending on where you live you will most likely want to humidify your mandolin a good portion if not all year long. R/
MANDOBLU - Posted - 02/11/2016: 16:22:05
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THANK
YOU ...I agree about the need for moisture...I use a planet waves humidifier in the storage compartment of the case.....quote:
Originally posted by UsuallyPickin
Eastman is a "sound" choice for a good yet inexpensive instrument. TI USER gives good advice about tension. Let me add that humidity . lack thereof actually, will have more noticeable effect on you mandolin than you are used to "seeing" o your guitars. Depending on where you live you will most likely want to humidify your mandolin a good portion if not all year long. R/
