Octave mandolin tuning. Well, Eastman is calling for EJ80 for GDAE tuning, which contains a 12 for the E and a 32 for the D. Here's another thought; if you're having trouble with neck length and fret spacing, consider using a capo and tuning the instrument low -- e. Octave mandolins are usually tuned exactly the same as a mandolin, only an octave lower (hence the name). 3 cm, Playing scale I do it every now and then, but the lower octave will rattle and usually fret out of tune. "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer. The tradition of Thomas Rubner provides an outstanding value with reasonable pricing. A mandola is actually closer to octave mandolin range than mandolin. Website: http://www. The Tenor Mandola (or Mandola) is tuned as a Viola, CGDA, one fifth below a mandolin. Re: Drop D Tuning on the Octave Mandolin? To me, drop D simply adds more bass and an open sound to a D chord on a guitar. . The octave mandolin is tuned to a similar tonal range as the guitar. mandocello is one octave below mandola tuned CGDA or same pitch as a cello, the open D is the same pitch as the open D on a guitar. This set is intended to be tuned to GDAE (octave mandolin). The mandocello ( Italian: mandoloncello, Liuto cantabile, liuto moderno) is a plucked string instrument of the mandolin family. Rest strokes are when you hit the string with the pick and then let the pick rest on the string below it, thus muting it. PLEASE NOTE! This Instrument is a conversion made from a GUITAR. Spot on! With pickup and 3-band equalizer. com/mandolessons-academyMy Comprehensive Mandolin Course: htt 1,629. Re: Octave Mandolin Strings. I'm finding it easier to play than I'd expected but I'm also wondering about capoing it at the second fret and then tuning it gdae. The Mandola retains the high-tension stringing but allows lower parts to be played. If you want to tune a mandola UP to normal mandolin GDAE, you need lighter strings than even a normal mandolin set (far less a mandola set), because of the longer scale length on the mandola relative to the mandolin. Mandola is CGDA, highest string being A440. Louis, MO. In other words, your circle of 5ths is a circle of 4ths if you go the other way around. Tuners & Drums backing track to play along and practice. The mighty MDO305 A-style octave mandolin debuts with down-tuned octave strings and an A-style body carved from solid spruce and solid maple. g. The long neck comes with high octave strings on the G and D pairs (similar to the setup of a 12-string guitar), though either instrument can be strung either way. The OCTAVE MANDOLIN is just what the name implies, tuned a full octave below the mandolin, also tuned to G, D, A, and E. Re: Octave mandolin scale length. I have had my curiousity piqued by some posts on the relationship of scale length to notes/scales. Octave Mandolin rebuilt from 1950s-1960s 3/4 size Harmony H-162. Ashbury recommend . Total Plate length of 106 mm/ Plate height of 16. Octave mandolin is GDAE, one fourth below the mandola and one octave below the mandolin. This was originally a terz guitar with 6 strings, meant to be tuned up a third, so G-G. 22" and 23" seem to be the most common sizes in the OM world, though you'll find OMs with scale lengths from under 20" (but that's rare) to 24" or 25", tho those are often called 'bouzoukis'. octave mandolin is one octave below mandolin GDAE the open D is the same pitch as the open D on a guitar. When I bought it, it had Thomastik 174 medium strings on it. Colour: Natural. You might need to get slightly heavier gauge strings to avoid the "floppy" feeling, but you'd be dealing with a shorter neck and more closely Sep 25, 2007 · Even altered mando tunings generally retain some semblance of tuning. Hi all. GuitarTuna will listen to your Re: Octave Mandolin Strings. DGBE or the Chicago tuning which is the same with a baritone ukulele and the top four strings of standard guitar tuning. My name is Rob, and I am Lord of All Badgers. Love mandola? Join the Mandola Social Group! May 30, 2004 · When I've heard people talk about octave tuning a mandolin, they usually are referring to replacing one string in each of the two bass pairs (i. This is probably due to the OM/bouzouki connection. Scale Length: 22. The two strings in each set are tuned in unison. All courses, except for the E strings, are tuned one octave apart, resulting in a unique richness and Re: Tenor Banjo String Gauge (CGDA v GDAE octave) Originally Posted by Steve Larson. 52, 35, 25, 15 is what D'Addario has for a medium mandola set. Octaves or not, it's a matter of taste. 2. The zouk can go back to Octaves then the OM is to be a longer 23" scale, and I'll probably tune in GDAD or ADAD, as I don't really care for GDAE on octaves. the sound of the Mandolin strings is clear and brilliant. Solid spruce top with bear claw figure, solid mahogany back and sides, poplar neck. Repeat the same method and fret this string, again on the 7 th fret for the A. Tuning from low to high: G-D-A-E - one octave below the Mandolin tuning. They are both very nice entry level instruments, made with all solid woods. 5" scale CGDAEB-tuned Ovation Mandophone. Check the note at the 12th fret, if it is in tune at the 12th fret and with the open string, then the issue is the nut slot depth, as Cobalt has said. I've tuned up the mandolin to the open D tuning that Monroe uses on 'Get Up John' (F#A,DD,AA,AD) and messed around using a slide. Feb 2, 2023 · 1. Top: Solid spruce. Pickup and 3-Band equalizer. Not much chording, but a lot of interesting drone effects. Tune the bottom-most course of strings (strings 1, 5, 9, and 13) an octave below the top-most course of strings (strings 2, 6, 10, and 14). These strings are flat wound on chrome steel and highly polished except the plain e-string of the Mandolin set, which is made of tin plated silver steel. So, the G pair, for example, would have a standard G string plus an unwound string an octave higher. For the low C pair you could try a pair of standard guitar D strings tuned to C. tuning the OM FCGD and putting a capo on the 2nd fret. I'm purchasing an octave mandolin this week but was wondering how I go about tuning it. The shape of an octave mandolin that I build was inspired by an archtop guitar. As long as you are tuning the strings down an octave, you won't be doing any harm to the neck. 00 USD including case. Mandocello is CGDA, one octave below the mandola. 12 would be right but that doesn't mean you can play your octave mandolin up there. When prompted, allow your browser to use the microphone. On the other hand, the standard tuning for the guitar is in 4ths, with the exception of the transition from G to B – E A D G B E. Spruce and maple fuel an assertive clarity that’s blended with the rich, warm bass of an extra-large sound chamber. Jim, if you use one of the online string tension calculators, you can find a safe set of string gaugess to tune it GDAE an octave under the mandolin. Re: Tuning issues - Octave Mandolin. I have been playing rhythm guitar for 15+ years and this is so different! . At least for this kind of "under pressure" ear learning at full tempo. ”. Octave mandolins are about 19 - 22 inches, I think. The standard octave mandolin tuning is G2G2−D3D3−A3A3−E4E4. On the other hand, the octave mandolin has four sets of two strings each. Jan 10, 2023 · This is an original tune called “ Fields of Ore” originally written on a standard mandolin. There is a subtle, and arbitrary transition though, between the lower 2 and the The deeper body and longer scale which give a richer, deeper tone and timbre to the mandola and viola are retained when tuning it up a fifth to mandolin/violin. You may be lucky and have both . 026 for GDAE tuning an octave below normal mandolin tuning. 3. The Mandola (the big brother of the Mandolin), has 8 strings in 4 pairs, tuned in 5ths. On the inside D, use a D string. Tuning. Often called "octave mandola" or just "mandola" in Europe. May 23, 2024 · Instrument Type: Solid Body Electric Octave Mandolin with octaves tuning. # (The top E string would probably be an . Mainly, I discuss what string gauges to use when trying I bought an Octave mandolin and have no clue!! I can't even find a good beginner teaching on this instrument. If you are more comfortable, go with it. All components are precision machined for accuracy. 4 mm / standard roller spacing of 23 mm. When the note turns orange, it means it is close to being in tune. I have my OM tuned to GDAD because I like the way it sounds better than GDAE. $4700 for carved-top. 8. The Bouzouki and OM are very similar, really only the scale length is what roughly differentiates them. Tenor Guitars: Acoustic: Mcilroy ASP10T, ‘59 Martin 0-18t. 30 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee. Electric: ‘57 Gibson ETG-150, ‘80s Manson Kestrel. The body shape can vary depending on the builder. In fact, Tommy Todesco used to play studio gigs. 009. I don't know if anyone has done this for mandolin, but I have a fiddle with special octave strings designed to be tuned one octave below standard tuning. My OM (tuned standard G-D-A-E) already has that when I play a D 2002. Meaning raising the mandola tuning to DAEA or DAEB so that the usual keys for Irish/Scots music are easily accessible. I've used CGDA, GDAE, and DGBE on tenor banjos - and all 3 tunings need their own strings, except Jun 4, 2019 · My Brunswick 20" baritone is strung . 043w, 036w, . This is great for soprano, concert, or tenor ukulele, and you can use various versions of it. Thanks Playing a funky oval-hole scroll-body mandolin, several mandolins retuned to CGDA, three CGDA-tuned Flatiron mandolas, two Flatiron mandolas tuned as octave mandolins,and a six-course 25. Its relationship to the mandolin is that of the tenor violin to the violin, or the tenor saxophone to the soprano saxophone. 035 and . Sep 25, 2007 · Even altered mando tunings generally retain some semblance of tuning. Jan 7, 2023 · Mandolin strings are in 4 pairs of 2 strings that are tuned to the same note. Octave Mandolas (also known as Octave Mandolins in America) are popular The way I was taught from a couple of blues-mandolin specialists was to do octave tuning only on the G and D strings. Overall tuning of the courses is in Feb 2, 2017 · Joel and Bill Plaskett describe how they tune their tenor guitar and octave mandolin to open tunings to facilitate playing music together. There's no law that says you can't tune a mando in 4ths, like a. If you transpose the song to G, then you have an OM equivalent to drop D by playing G 0523 or 0023. Evan N. Scroll down to hear soundcloud files or watch a demo vid. Not to say an instrument with 23" can't be called a bouzouki. capo on an octave. I recommend using the gauges for mandola strings which should get you into the ballpark assuming the instrument is built sturdy enough. Subscribed. , the D and G pairs) with a string an octave higher. Also played some other D fiddle tunes in that tuning. 032w/ . In additional, some folks play tenor CGDA and some match octave mandolin GDAE so I'm curious if you play with both whether you change your strings with the tuning. Jul 5, 2020 · How to use this tuner: Click on the note for the string you want to tune and then turn the tuning pegs on your mandolin to match it up with the note that is being played. Its eight strings are in four paired courses, with the strings in each course tuned in unison. Scale: 58. 4. Can a mandocello be set up and tuned as an octave mandolin (G,C,D,E) rather than mandocello tuning (C,G,D,A)? Or will this cause problems with the neck and top, due to the extra tension? Obviously if your playing with other musicians the tuning becomes important - it makes more sense for the fiddle with less tension to tune up but it strikes me the mandolin might be happier going down. "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them". It's about 22. 5. 5 scale. Re: Octave Mandolin or Bouzouki. 045w for my 20. The short scale bouzouki, or octave mandolin, comes with all 4 string pairs tuned to unison pitches. Made in Europe. 3 3-Year Thomann Warranty. And not to say you can't tune an OM to some other tuning other than GDAE, but a bouzouki Re: Alternate tunings? Another possibility is to replace the G,D and A pairs but across one place, removing the high Es, then add in a new pair of low C strings. If you want to tune your mandolin using alternate mandolin tunings, check Aug 26, 2004 · 980. The MDO305’s maple neck and “Soft V” neck profile lend unwavering support to A mandolin-like tuning, GDAE, but one octave lower, is also used, but requires long stretches for some chords, so it is most useful for either a short-scale instrument or a player with big hands. come to arrest you. 75” Color: Surf Green. For best results adjust the volume on your computer until it has the same volume as your mandolin. Other drums Rhytms to #4 Tuning Your Mandolin With a Guitar Tuner. And not to say you can't tune an OM to some other tuning other than GDAE, but a bouzouki Re: Chords for Open D tuning. ) If you want to tune a mandola DOWN to (low) GDAE (like an octave Re: Alternate tunings? Another possibility is to replace the G,D and A pairs but across one place, removing the high Es, then add in a new pair of low C strings. So, projecting that tension into Chicago tuning, I'd start with 12 [E]- 16 [B]- 25 [G]-32 [D]. The octave mandola or sometimes referred to as the octave mandolin is a fretted string instrument with four pairs of strings tuned in fifths, usually GDAE (low to high), an octave below a mandolin. Introducing this latest fifths-tuned-big-box-beauty: the OM-150! The OM-150 is an electric Octave Mandolin that borrows all of the same materials and specs from the TG-150, but doubles up on the strings and adds an extra pickup at the bridge. My goal is the range of tenor banjo/octave mandolin, with the shortest possible scale length. Just follow the picture for each individual string and tune the string until it matches the keyboard or piano. Standard Tuning | G 2 D 3 A 3 E 4; If you are missing any specific tuning for the Octave Mandolin (tenor), please feel free to send us a suggestion and we will do our best to update our database. You may hear this called a "tenor mandola" or "alto mandolin" in different parts of Europe. Mandolin 2nd string pair (A or La): The guitar’s 2nd fret of the third string is an A (or La), at the same octave as the mandolin’s 2nd string pair. guitar; you won't lose your citizenship, and the mandolin police won't. Adjust if anything feels too flabby or stiff. Dec 29, 2023 · This is common with the mandolin. A 15 would be more appropriately tensioned compared to a 52. Re: Stringing a Mandolin in Fourths. Rubner Mandolin Tuning Machines offer quality design features combined with maximum tuning efficiency. The octave mandolin is tuned an octave lower than a standard mandolin, combining the unison-string character and chime of a mandolin with the range, warmth, and intimacy of a guitar. Mandolin Solid spruce top, Flat solid maple back, Maple sides, Maple neck with adjustable truss rod, Acacia fingerboard, Top nut width: approx. Tuning (low to high): gG dD aa ee. MandoLessons. OK in reality the note on the 5th fret is an octave higher than the open lower string . It is larger than the mandolin, and is the baritone instrument of the mandolin family. Love mandola? Join the Mandola Social Group! Introduction to the Octave Mandolin – MandoLessons The scale length and fretting hand stretch is always a consideration with octave mandolins, but equally important for comfortable playing is how the right arm reaches around the body of the instrument. When you’re first starting to play mandolin, you’ll typically be using the standard mandolin tuning: G D A E. The body width is 12 1/4th inches and overall body length measures 37 ½ inches. If you're trying to re-tune an OM to enable playing Re: tuning a mandola GDAE. Start by tuning the four courses of strings in unison. Select your instrument and press 'Start Tuning' button. " --M. Packed with valuable information, it is a vital resource for any type of mandolin or octave mandolin player. A 23” would probably need lighter strings if you want similar tensions. Here we have a beautiful Mendel octave mandolin in Granadillo and Sitka Spruce. Instruments that measure ~around~ 18" down to ~around~ 16" are most likely to be mandolas and tunded CGDA. 4 cm. 97. Here's a mandolin tuning tip: use rest strokes to isolate the individual strings of each pair. Playing a funky oval-hole scroll-body mandolin, several mandolins retuned to CGDA, three CGDA-tuned Flatiron mandolas, two Flatiron mandolas tuned as octave mandolins,and a six-course 25. Let's take the octave mandolin: the 4th course is tuned to "G," and the 2nd course to "A," a 9th above. 12K subscribers. Finally, to achieve the high D string/s, fret the next string (the A) on the 5 th fret. I suspect it won't be very successful, since the scale length just isn't appropriate for it. 17K views 6 years ago. Putting the capo at 5 would give you the same tuning as a mandola. I like the strings to be quite tight, have the pick bounce, but on the other hand it probably puts some stress on the instrument. Pluck the string you want to tune and the tuner will highlight the note letter for you and show you if you are sharp or flat. Condition: New String Gauges: 24/46, 15/30, 21, 12. signature octave mandolins | Nyberg Instruments. I recently bought (rather impulsively) a used Gold Tone octave. So for the G Strings for example, start by hitting the top G String and let the pick rest on the G String below it. No reason to do otherwise unless you find pieces in this or another style that make it necessary. Quick question. The tension would be too low to use OM strings tuned an octave below a standard mandolin, on a standard scale mandolin. But strings are cheap so it might be worth trying. The gdae tuning would make it easier to play celtic tunes Quickly Tune your Mandolin! The UkuTabs online mandolin tuner offers you the most advanced and easy-to-use mandolin tuner to keep your mandolin in tune without the need of a tuning device. They have a steel core made of special alloy with high elasticity and durability. Alternate Tunings. Tuning from low to high: G-D-A-E (one octave below mandolin tuning) Strings: D'Addarío J81. Octave 1 Start in standard Download the GuitarTuna app and select Standard tuning. This usually require re-stringing. They had a beautiful tone and a pleasant feeling under the fingers. Available since October 2013. Apr 22, 2024 · 2. Most standard guitar tuners can tune a mandolin since they can recognize the pitch irrespective of the octave as long as you follow basic principles. Mandolin 3rd string pair (D or Re): The guitar’s 4th open string is a D, and this is the same tuning with the mandolin’s 3rd open string pair. Mandolas average around 17 - 19 inches. The unison-string chime of the mandolin family is present, but The Tenor Banjo can be tuned like a Mandolin/Violin but down an Octave, & John Pearse makes String sets for that tuning which have a Wound 2nd String to achieve a more consistent tone. e four courses (four pairs). GDAE is the octave mandolin tuning. 014/ . comJoin The MandoLessons Academy: https://academy. 2 Pluck a string Start tuning your mandolin by playing any string with the right tension — not too heavy, not too light. Hoping someone can help me. It's still the same tune if you're learning it on something like a bouzouki or octave mandolin an octave down, but I just find it a little easier to get the tune under my fingers when I'm playing the same note pitch. A caution - there are lots of chord patterns using four fretted notes, and especially in Bluegrass playing and if you try to emulate those shapes on octave you will have great About 3 - 4 inches of scale length. This is a beautiful flat top octave mandolin finished in 2023 by master luthier Joe Mendel in St. By default it is using standard tuning (GDAE), but you can freely choose one of the popular (and less popular Hello, all. Keep in mind the EJ63i set is really optimized for tuning a Plectrum Banjo in Fifths which gives you more range. Usually, apart from the G string, other upper mandolin strings have high pitches, which some times struggle the guitar tuners from recognizing them Re: Octave or Unison tuning on an Octave Mandolin. Re: Octave mandolin and mandocello. Octaves on the A and E strings would be too much, in my opinion. Re: String Source for "Chicago Tuning" for Octave Mandolin. Agree completely with MandoPiper1’s astute suggestion, “Raise the price $30 and install a higher quality tuner. Stillion. Mandolins are usually about 13 or 14 inches scale. • There are lots of places to find chord shapes and any mandolin chord patterns can be used as the tuning you are using is simply standard mandolin lowered by one octave. " It would be an octave above the other 4th string, and one full tone lower than it would be tuned in the 2nd course. This would give you an octave below what Bertram is suggesting. See figures 2a, 2b and 2c for the correct fret positions for the three tunings. mandolessons. Since we think nylon strings sound better than steel strings and wanted a lower octave than mandolin (because that also sounds nicer), we looked at tenor guitar changed to nylon strings vs baritone uke changed to gdae octive mandolin tuning. The sound is at once familiar yet refreshing. This has the same specs as a full-size H-162, but with small dimensions. the two instruments over lap the G, D, and A open strings. Most of these short-scale bouzoukis, especially if they use this mandolin-like tuning, are said to be octave-mandolas. When tuning, adjust the strings in pairs of adjacent strings, i. I use one of the on-line calculators to work out which strings to use in any Aug 2, 2013 · baritone uke in gdae octave mandolin tuning. It typically has a 20 inch scale length, although Weber is able to also build them with a 22 inch scale length in our Custom Shop. The Tuners Channel. On the inside G, put a normal G string. com/mandolessons-academyMy Comprehensive Mandolin Course: htt Parallel Octave tuning – G3-C4-E4-A4. Hello Mandolin Cafe! my name is Amos, I am from Bavaria and new here I have that Mandola that I love. Someone else can chime in on mandola tuning. a mandola is a fifth lower than a mandolin, but only a fourth away from an octave mandolin. The tone of an octave mandolin is between a mando-cello and a mandola, but it does have its own unique sound. Mandolas. Subscribe to our c It's still the same tune if you're learning it on something like a bouzouki or octave mandolin an octave down, but I just find it a little easier to get the tune under my fingers when I'm playing the same note pitch. I have seen 14" mando-banjos tuned (with nylgut) to the octave-below-fiddle or OM range, although I can't duplicate it without soggy bottom It's an octave lower than a normal mandolin. Re: Octave mandolin tuning. That E string at 12 seems really light. Once the four courses of strings are in tune, tune the remaining strings in pairs. The larger body and optimal bridge placement make for a responsive and expressive octave mandolin. Oct 29, 2015 · The Most Detailed & complete Octave Mandolin & Irish Bouzouki Chord BookThis chord book carefully maps out the musical landscape of the G-D-A-E fingerboard, with all the harmonic possibilities. Just play each string open, you don't have to fret anything. About This Listing. On the outside G position put a mandolin A string, then tune down to G. The standard octave mandolin tuning is in 5ths – GG DD AA EE. But could I also use this seeing as the octave mando is an octave lower? . Bouzouki is longer (24-26") and OM is shorter (20-23"). Oct 24, 2017 · Octave Mandolin Tuning - YouTube. Antique finish. A flatback octave mandolin. The octave mandolin (US and Canada), termed the octave mandola in Britain and Ireland and mandola in continental Europe, is tuned an octave below the mandolin: G 2 –D 3 –A 3 –E 4. 022w/ . Open D – DADF# Open E – EG#BE; Open G – GDGB; AEAE also known as the sawmill. General Tunings. I love the way they give a sparkle to notes played on the G and D strings. On the outside D position, use a mandolin E string and tune down to D. The dimensions and flat back of our octave mandolin body yield something quite different than what is found on the market today. If the tuner features settings for different instruments, set it to mandolin or violin, and find a quiet room to tune in that will be free of background noise that will affect the tuner's efficacy. You might try half a set of mandolin strings and half a set of mandola strings (using mandola strings for the G', D', and A' but both mandolin strings for the EE'). Thanks Jul 18, 2021 · In this video I answer some questions I had a hard time finding answers to on YouTube this past week. Putting a mandola down in octave mandolin tuning is next to impossible unless it is a longer scale instrument, in the 19-20" scale range (and yes, that requires re-stringing, too). As the name suggests, this wonderful instrument is intended to be tuned an octave below standard mandolin tuning, but is equally happy in alternate tunings. Here I am playing it on a Weber Gallatin F octave mandolin. in 5ths. OM strings are designed for a ~20" - ~24" scale. 008 or . Feb-04-2022, 1:19pm #23. You could take one of the 2nd strings, put it in the 4th course, and tune it to "G. Reilly. Play each string individually. May 9, 2020 · An octave mandolin is tuned in fifths and is one full octave lower than a regular mandolin. GDAD is a fairly common alternate tuning for Irish mandolin. The layout of the notes is the same as for the mandolin but one octave lower. Obviously you still tune it GDAE but would an electronic tuner still do the job? The tuner I use on my regular mandolins I just have set on violin tuning. Converted From: Squier Mini Jazzmaster. Feb 18, 2021 · This gives you the tuning for the lowest D string (strings 5 and 6). With what was paid about eight years ago for the Collings mandolin (a sweet-voiced beauty, MF5 O Honey Amber), I could now buy 10 Eastman octave mandolins with plenty left over for date night. As I remember the three treble strings were from the original set that came with the instrument, the bass string is the "E" string from a guitar set. 5” octave but I prefer 15 25 35 50. e. The most common body shape for this instrument type is the A style (or teardrop) shape. If it is not in tune at the 12th fret, then the issue is the bridge position. everything seems to be for regular mandolin. Turn the tuner on and make sure it's picking up the sound. I still want a zouk or octave mando someday, of course. They are tuned in 4ths , descending 4ths , that is is the inverse of Ascending 5ths. It is completely free and very versatile. Base price from $3400. Make sure you use the 'Middle C' on the picture as a reference point so you don't tune your CGDA tuning that goes in fifth which is also common in the mandolin family of instruments. Popular brands include Eastman, Ozark, Gold Tone, Buchanan Website: http://www. Sep 12, 2021 · Origin: Austria. Available since December 2022. It seems to me that since there are 20" octaves this ought to work ok. The strings I use come as a set. with a mando tuned like a guitar. dp ex ue da hv ns my zj xh qv