upside downer Posted January 13 Posted January 13 Picked this up from an auction the other day. Usually the balalaika is 3 strings (I've got one but it's more of a decorative wall hanger than a player) but this is a 6-string model, 448mm scale length, it plays very nicely and is in good condition. The usual tuning is E-E-A which I've always found puzzling so I've got this one tuned to C-E-G at the moment but may go up to D-F#-B. It has no branding so it's hard to find out too much about its origins. Nice little instrument to muck about with and, for a bargain hammer price of only £15, I think I've done alright here. 2 Quote
bass_dinger Posted Saturday at 09:50 Posted Saturday at 09:50 £15 is very inexpensive for any intact stringed instrument. Slightly worrying that you have two balalaikas though, and in different string configurations too! If you tune in fifths (C, G, D) you are ¾ of the way to a mandocello, for which you will find a lot of music, and chords. 1 Quote
upside downer Posted Saturday at 11:00 Author Posted Saturday at 11:00 1 hour ago, bass_dinger said: If you tune in fifths (C, G, D) you are ¾ of the way to a mandocello, for which you will find a lot of music, and chords. I did try converting an old 6 string semi-acoustic into a mandocello a while back but the neck really struggled with the extra tension from the two additional strings. One day, I'll get around to changing it to a 4 string tenor guitar. Same tuning and, hopefully, no more neck issues. 1 hour ago, bass_dinger said: Slightly worrying that you have two balalaikas though, and in different string configurations too! I have terrible GAS for all stringed instruments! Quote
pete.young Posted Saturday at 12:49 Posted Saturday at 12:49 On 13/01/2025 at 21:25, upside downer said: The usual tuning is E-E-A which I've always found puzzling so I've got this one tuned to C-E-G at the moment but may go up to D-F#-B. £15 quid seems like good value for a functioning instrument. I don't know much about the balalaika but I think the idea is that you play the melody on the A and use the Es for accompaniment, either as drones or as a harmony below the top string. Similar in that respect to the DAD tuning used on the traditional Rebetiko Greek bouzouki. I'd quite like a contrabass but I'm not sure where I'd keep it. 1 Quote
Happy Jack Posted Saturday at 13:56 Posted Saturday at 13:56 An excuse to post an all-time fave of mine ... 2 Quote
BigRedX Posted Saturday at 17:36 Posted Saturday at 17:36 Great stuff, but re-enforces the fact that once you stick any stringed instrument through a distortion pedal or overdriven amp it just sounds like an electric guitar. Quote
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