Official Luthiers Forum!

A number of years ago i built a long scale mandolin. Even with ultralight strings it is quite difficult to play. If i change the tailpiece to a trapeize tailpiece, and hence reduce the string length by moving the string end toward the bridge, will this reduce the string tension. Or is this more dependent on the length from the nut to the bridge?

String tension for a given string diameter and pitch is dependent on the length of the scale from the nut to the bridge. So using a longer tailpiece won't decrease your sting tension. Some folks feel that a longer total string has more "give" and so may enhance playability, so in your case a longer tailpiece might be detrimental.

Joe

Thanks for that, i think i'll have to build a mandolin with a shorter scale.

You might just make a shorter neck with new fretboard... (shorter scale length). It won't sound exactly the same because the bridge will have to be moved out of the sweet spot. On the other hand, you wouldn't have to build an entirely new instrument.

good luck.

_________________
Chris Oliver
Infinity Luthiers
...in the shop.

live every minute...

Building's fun man. Just tune the thing to mandola tuning and get back in the shop!