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| Moderated by: Richard Hefner |
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| Tuning Questions - Mandolin - Other Instruments - ezFolk Forums | |||||||||||||||
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Gossling Approved
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Hi, I have a few questions regarding the tuning of the Mandolin (and Mandola for that matter). Is it possible to tune a standard Mandolin one fifth down (CGDA)? Would I need special strings? I know mandolas are typically tuned this way, but they're very hard to find and typically more expensive. I read somewhere that it was possible to tune this way with a normal mandolin, but it also said it would only sound good on some instruments. The reason I ask is because I am a cello player and would prefer to have a simple bow to pluck transition with no fingering changes. Also if you know any online resources which sell mandolas or mandolins capable of this tuning at reasonable prices (I'm on a budget), please let me know. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
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banjo brad Super Moderator 
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I'm not sure if this would be possible, I expect someone who plays mandolin might be more help. But, why would you want to do this (besides what you said about transitions)? You would not find many Blue Grass or Old Time or Folk songs/tunes in the key you would be in. You would wind up transposing everything back up that 5th (which would put you really high on the neck). I would suggest that you bite the bullet and learn the new fingerings - you are going from a fretless to a fretted instrument anyway, and it will give you more versatility. Or, last gasp, you could trade the Cello for a Fiddle and fit right in (although, again, you would have to learn a new fingering). It's not really that hard, I taught myself guitar, 5-string banjo, ukulele and fiddle, minimun 4 tunings. I am now working with 1 guitar tuning, one uke tuning, 3 banjo tunings (plus capoed keys), and 3 fiddle tunings (standard, cross A and cross G), so it is possible to do so. Brad Last edited on Mon Sep 17th, 2007 03:01 am by banjo brad ____________________ ezFolk Help Brad Prickly Pear Music Banjo Brad's ezFolk page TOTMC |
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Charlie Approved 
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If you tried that tunning on a mandolin, The strings would have to be so large that your sound would not be very pleasing because of the short scale instrument. You can use the same fingering as CGDA and gdae and you would just be in a different key, I play a tenor banjo tuned GCDA and the mandolin tuned gdae and play them the same except in different keys. Good luck on your search Charlie
____________________ Yesterdays Tomorrow is Today http://www.ezfolk.com/audio/charlesculbertson |
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mike007 Approved
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Hi Gossling. I'm no expert, but I done been where you want to go, and it's not nice. Like Charlie says, the strings would have to be huge, and it's just not worth it. The Trinity College mandola is about as nice as your'e going to get (PacRim), for under $500.00. Spruce top, maple sides and back, adjustable truss rod. No plywood. You could check out Big Muddy mandolins to see if they sell mandolas. Their prices are in the 4-500 range, they are made in USA, and good instruments. Best of luck with this. No financial interest, but I own a TC mandolin and mandola, and like them both.
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Jim Edwards Approved 
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mike007 wrote: I own a TC mandolin and mandola, and like them both. I haven't tried the mandolin or mandola, but I have tried (and like) a TC bouzouki. The loooooong scale length would probably make it unsuitable for your purposes, but it has a jangly sound that's great for playing Byrds tunes, and probably cheaper than a 12-string Rickenbacker.  You are probably better to go for the mandola, or if that ain't happening, tune your mando down one step (FCGD), where your mando's third string would equate to your cello's fourth string.
____________________ Support Independent Music |
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Will Approved 
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The Trinity College mandola is tuned to CDGA, and Elderly sells it for about $500: http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/TC275.htm  Also comes in with a black colored top: http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/TC275B.htm  If you don't absolutely require doubled strings, and would like to have a little more bass, you could try the Gold Tone tenor guitar; also tuned in CGDA tuning. It is about the size of a 3/4" guitar, with a 22" scale. It has a solid spruce top. I played one at Different Strummer, the music store run by the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, and it sounds great. I knew a few mandolin chords but I was picking out songs on it (albeit in a different key). Looks really nice with a "mini jumbo" body style. It sells for about $450. http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/TG18.htm  Last edited on Sun Dec 16th, 2007 03:12 pm by Will ____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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holleyhall Approved 
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I have played both violin & viola which are tuned the same as the Mandolin & Mandola. The viola strings were a little heavier than violin where the A string is wound instead of plain steel. Not sure if changing the strings would work... but it could cause some damage to grooves in the nut and bridge areas because they were intended to be used for a thinner string. So if you decided to go back to the smaller strings it create an undesired buzzing sound in result you would need to replace the nut and/or bridge.
____________________ http://ezfolk.com/audio/holleyhall |
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| ezFolk Forums > Other Instruments > Mandolin > Tuning Questions | |
