Steel to Nylon String Mandolin Conversion Guide
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- Опубліковано 9 сер 2018
- In this quick guide I want to show you how to convert your old bowl back or flatback mandolin so it will be possible to fit nylon strings on it.
Nylon strings not only give you interesting sound and also help with playing comfort where the action cannot be low.
The music in background has been recorded on this Ricordo mandolin and the pieces are:
J.S. Bach - Prelude from Cello Suite in G major
L. Sobieranski - Skocznym Ja
To compare sound with standard strings see my video with same music:
• Puglisi Mandolin Befor...
• Antique German Flatbac...
If you have any comments about the video feel free to drop one below.
for more antique mandolins visit my website www.lucassobieranski.com
Nice conversion. I have a bouzouki I want to convert to nylon this way, so I searched for anyone who'd done it before. You video came up as the only thing close. Thanks.
the sound is brighter than I expected! Thanks for sharing
Perhaps it is because I am not a mandolin player and so I'm just less sensitive to it, but it seems to be that the timbral difference between steel and nylon mandolin is less than between steel and nylon acoustic guitar. Still very noticeable of course, the nylon strings are softer and less bright, but less of the categorical change between the acoustic and the classical guitar.
Perhaps that speaks to a lot of that difference in the case of the guitar being down not just to the strings but also the construction of the instrument
These strings are great for strumming too. My Mandolin is an A Style Archtop Mandolin (different type of Mandolin than a Bowl back) & I'm using Thomastik Infeld Precision Mandolin Strings (they're much less expensive these days) which are Flatwound strings designed like Violin Strings. Their tension is basically akin to that of Aquila Nylon Mandolin Strings, & what makes them super special is that they have a Flexible Steel Core wound in Chrome (the E String is Coated in Tin).
Lovely and Insightful. I too am fond of Aquila strings.
Very helpful. Thank you.
Incredibly useful video - it helped me a lot. Thanks, Lucas!
You are a master, Lucas! Thanks for sharing. Gretings from Argentina. Maybe you remember me.
Sounds beautiful! What kind of strings did you use?
I had nylon strings on my bowlback for awhile. I enjoy hearing others use them, but couldn't get into them. I play a fair bit of tremolo and found the softer tone and string tension wasn't fitting my playing. I prefer the steel string for the pick attack and sharp tone response.
An Ashton Baily Tailpiece might help with restringing
I just acquired Graham McDonald's the Mandolin Project to guide me in building a mandolin. I would love to alter his design for using Nylgut strings. Should the bridge be designed for higher string action? Thank you for such an informative presentation.
Yes strings height needs to be set slightly higher at nut and bridge, 2,3 to 2.5 at 12th fret works fine for me. As the tension on nylgut strings is much softer the movement of strings is greater so they need bit more space to vibrate without hitting the frets. Higher action won't affect intonation as nylgut tolerates more stretch
@@lucassobieranski9089 Hello Lucas
I was recently given a 1905 Gibson A style mandolin which I am learning to play. As a classical guitarist I am very drawn to the classical mandolin repertoire. I am very impressed with recordings you have made using nylgut strings. I do plan build a suitable instrument to put these strings on and someday if I am lucky I will find a bowl back instrument. Thank you very much for sharing your information with me.
Yours,
Richard Groomer
Seattle, Washington
@@lucassobieranski9089 Do you think a tie on classical style bridge could be important?
@@mauricemcmurry6637 do you mean like on Lombardic mandolins?
I see some Lombardics with strings attached to a fixed bridges and some with tail pieces and bridges that may or may not be attached to the top. I tried a ukulele style bridge and am unsure of the result. @@lucassobieranski9089
Hi Lucas, I still have the English flat back mandolin I got from you a few years ago (it has a great sound with more projection than my Kentucky). I'd never thought to convert it to nylon. Where do you get the Nylgut strings? Are they Uke strings?
Hi Roger, which mandolin was it? These strings are better for tailpiece with pins rather than hooks. You can get this set directly from Aquila but you can also check eBay (Red series M1)
@UCPBjjwmAFy1VS8RUmH7Hljw
Nylon Mandolin Strings aren't under as much tension as steel strings, it's fairly low so they're a bit easier to play.
that's why they're good for old mandolins when you don't want to put much strain on them or action is slightly higher
@@lucassobieranski9089 The Banjo Mandolins would benefit from those strings cause the tension is fairly low
@@lucassobieranski9089 They do make GHS Ultra Light Mandolin Strings
@@RockStarOscarStern634 I actually prefer Pyramid 529 it's also an ultra light set but for me sounds better. Nylgut have an advantage over ultra light sets with being more tolerant to overpressing strings withough going sharp
@@lucassobieranski9089 The name is Oscar Stern. They're the exact same set of strings being under really low tension, but the Aquila Red Nylon Mandolin Strings seem to be a better idea cause we don't wanna crack that top on really old mandolins.
Goode...if i may suggest using one long string for each pair snd looping them
Around the pins ...?
I don't think this would work as tuning one string would affect the other plus you'd need to find string gouges that would work well so it's just easier to stick to ready made set
Actually...it Does work...i have a Framus Mandolin strung this way...have also seen this used on a little harp...panteleon
hmm.. ok I might give it a try next time fitting nylon string to see how it works on a mandolin
What strings are you using? Where do you get them?
Aquila Mandolin Red Series, usually available on ebay, amazon or directly from Aquila website
@@lucassobieranski9089 Nylon Strings are under super low tension compared to Metal Strings so they're not going to put too much tension on the top at all. They're super easy on the left hand and you can still strum.
what is the gauge of each nylon string? I know that the E one is 0.70 gauge but what about the others? It's important know it because I can use fishing nylon string, i can't buy the full strung
Gauges in mm are G 0.76 (wound, not nylon), D 0.91, A 0.66, E 0.50, in inches G.030 D.035 A.026 E.019 you should be able to get a full set directly from aquilachorde.com