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I have a mini-Strat converted to a 5-string octave mandocaster
(tuned G-D-A-E-B low to high, low G note same as 3rd fret on low
guitar E-string). Oringally the scale length was 19" but I put in a
new nut where the 2nd fret had been shortening it to 17" for
mandolin/fiddle fingering.
After seeing Albert Collins tear it up playing a Tele capoed at the
9th fret, I realized that he may as well have been playing a
mandocaster.
The low G isn't the greatest sounding, kinda low for the short
scale , but being down in the guitar register outweighs that. It's
got a Fender style tremolo bar, but I rarely have used it, only
putting it back on a couple of days ago.
I don't play much "guitar" (the actual instrument & tuning), but
have spent years developing an electric guitar sound (and
vocabulary) on mandolin, and mandocaster (including e-gtr vibrato on
the acoustic 8-string). I've done lead guitar gigs on the
mandocaster, but avoid using the "M" word because someone
immediately suggests playing "Rocky Top" and the stereotyped
instrument prejudice kicks in and brands you as "NOT rock n roll".
So if I have to explain the instrument, I say...."I'm using the Ry
Cooder 5-string open tuning" or some other fabrication which
sidesteps that whole issue.
Gtr faves include Richard Thompson, Hendrix, Knopfler, John
Cipollina (getting that Bigsby vibrato on 8-string with just the
fingers was really hard work!), Ry Cooder, David Lindley, James
Calvin Wilsey, Jerry Donahue, Eric Johnson.
I love Wilsey's guitar sound and would like to listen to other
players with a similar approach.
Niles H
Thanks for the cool info on the Mandocaster! I really
enjoyed reading about this unique instrument. Do you use
any effects (reverb, vibrato, chorus etc)? Have you ever
played any of the "stock" fender electric mandos? Have you
ever played the Danelectro "guitarlin"...its a 3-octave
guitar with mando scale in the upper registers?
What kind of pickups are you running on your mandocaster?
Tele,strat...or some other kind?
inquiring minds would like to know,
Dave P
--- nileshok <> wrote:
> I have a mini-Strat converted to a 5-string octave
> mandocaster
> (tuned G-D-A-E-B low to high, low G note same as 3rd fret
> on low
> guitar E-string). Oringally the scale length was 19" but
> I put in a
> new nut where the 2nd fret had been shortening it to 17"
> for
> mandolin/fiddle fingering.
>
> After seeing Albert Collins tear it up playing a Tele
> capoed at the
> 9th fret, I realized that he may as well have been
> playing a
> mandocaster.
>
> The low G isn't the greatest sounding, kinda low for the
> short
> scale , but being down in the guitar register outweighs
> that. It's
> got a Fender style tremolo bar, but I rarely have used
> it, only
> putting it back on a couple of days ago.
>
> I don't play much "guitar" (the actual instrument &
> tuning), but
> have spent years developing an electric guitar sound (and
>
> vocabulary) on mandolin, and mandocaster (including e-gtr
> vibrato on
> the acoustic 8-string). I've done lead guitar gigs on
> the
> mandocaster, but avoid using the "M" word because someone
>
> immediately suggests playing "Rocky Top" and the
> stereotyped
> instrument prejudice kicks in and brands you as "NOT rock
> n roll".
> So if I have to explain the instrument, I say...."I'm
> using the Ry
> Cooder 5-string open tuning" or some other fabrication
> which
> sidesteps that whole issue.
>
> Gtr faves include Richard Thompson, Hendrix, Knopfler,
> John
> Cipollina (getting that Bigsby vibrato on 8-string with
> just the
> fingers was really hard work!), Ry Cooder, David Lindley,
> James
> Calvin Wilsey, Jerry Donahue, Eric Johnson.
>
> I love Wilsey's guitar sound and would like to listen to
> other
> players with a similar approach.
>
> Niles H
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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> John
> Cipollina
My fave. FYI, the Cipollina list here on Yahoo is quite active and mainly
concerned with trading.
--
Malcolm
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