Re: Mandocello
I have a classic 1912 Gibson K4 which I am afraid to take on an airplane. To travel, I purchased a German made Thomann mandocello (at that time around $700 usd) which surprised me with its tone and ease of play. And suggestions on bridge set-up or replacement are dead on, even my old Gibson needed some of that by a fine luthier.
I am not comparing it to my Gibson or any of the finer higher end instruments, but if you want to try the instrument out, it is a decent starter, then you can decide on investing "up."
By the way, regarding Jim Garber's comment on usage, I am playing classical and orchestral music and studying with an Italian master. I use the K4 once in a while with a string band, but I mostly use my Stiver F5). The mandocello is not an instrument built for bluegrass licks and chop chords, although I do see people using them that way.
Also, I see a lot of people suggesting the octave, and I know some fine octave players, but [bias alert] I love the deep and serious MC tone as well as the cello literature that sounds best in the intended octave.
jim
Jim
Dr James S Imhoff
Boston University
Oregon Mandolin Orchestra
1912 Gibson K4 Mandocello; Thomann Mandocello; Stiver F5; American? Bowlback; Martin 00016; Dusepo Cittern/liuto cantabile
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