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Thread: Suggest a tenor guitar to string as octave mandolin please

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    Default Suggest a tenor guitar to string as octave mandolin please

    I just sold one of my mandolins and I'm looking to buy a tenor guitar to string as a 4 string octave mandolin. I'd like to keep it under $500 if I could. I was trying to buy a Gold Tone TG-10 that someone listed on CL for $75 near me, but seller has been flaky and it doesn't look like that is going to work out. So I'm open to suggestions. Or if you have other suggestions on an actual OM to buy, I could check that out too.
    Thanks!
    Al

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    Default Re: Suggest a tenor guitar to string as octave mandolin please

    The Blueridge BR-40T sounds good tuned that way. I had an octave but sold it and kept the tenor because to my ear it sounded better.

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    Default Re: Suggest a tenor guitar to string as octave mandolin please

    Cool. I'll check it out. What guage strings do you use? Also, can you suggest a case? Will any O size case work?
    Thanks!

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    Default Re: Suggest a tenor guitar to string as octave mandolin please

    0.12, 0.20, 0.30, 0.45 work well for me. This case is a perfect fit:
    http://www.amazon.com/Golden-Gate-C-.../dp/B003YOT0BY

    It looks back ordered on amazon (and that price is a steal!), but you may find it other places.

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    Default Re: Suggest a tenor guitar to string as octave mandolin please

    I'll add that though I am a beginner and don't spend a lot of time on the tenor, I think it sounds really good playing chords tuned GDAD. You may want to make the smallest string an 0.13 or 0.14 for that tuning. Check out Baron's site here:
    http://www.tenorguitarlessons.com/lessons/gdad-lessons/

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    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Suggest a tenor guitar to string as octave mandolin please

    Would it be possible, with Al's permission, to extend this conversation above the $500 price point as well? I have had similar wonderings lately of a tenor in octave tuning and wouldn't mind spending a bit more to pick up an instrument built in the U.S. entirely of solid woods.
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
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    Bark first, Bite later Steve Zawacki's Avatar
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    Default Re: Suggest a tenor guitar to string as octave mandolin please

    An alternative to using a tenor guitar is to try a baritone ukulele (scale length 19 inches) for that tuning. I have my tenor guitar (Blueridge 40T) @ CGDA and the baritone uke goes back-and-forth GDAE-CGDA depending on the mood when new strings are needed.

    The tradeoff is the uke requires nylon strings, however at that price point the potential of getting a solid-wood uke is better than finding a solid-wood tenor guitar.
    ...Steve

    Current Stable: Two Tenor Guitars (Martin 515, Blueridge BR-40T), a Tenor Banjo (Deering GoodTime 17-Fret), a Mandolin (Burgess #7). two Banjo-Ukes and five Ukuleles..

    The inventory is always in some flux, but that's part of the fun.

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    mandolin slinger Steve Ostrander's Avatar
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    Default Re: Suggest a tenor guitar to string as octave mandolin please

    I have a GG c-1511 case on back-order from MF and they gave me a great deal. I can tell you that the Gator GWE 3/4 acoustic case does NOT fit the br40.
    Living’ in the Mitten

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    Registered User Freddyfingers's Avatar
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    Default Re: Suggest a tenor guitar to string as octave mandolin please

    I have the blue ridge. I didn't think the neck and sound board could hold the tension. Or at least that's what someone explained to me a while back. On the other hand, I like the tenor as is and would not want to alter it. I am keeping an eye on the uke store in Hawaii that's putting out the octave mandolin guitar It's over the the budget posted here, but for me it was built that way and there is no chance of ruining the original tenor if the conversion doesn't work.

    There are also quite a few conversions on eBay. But whenever I try and get a good look at the action from the pictures , it's usually high.
    Its not a backwards guitar.

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    Registered User fox's Avatar
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    Default Re: Suggest a tenor guitar to string as octave mandolin please

    You can safely use any popular tuning on the Blueridge.
    Generally speaking, most tenor guitars work well with around 80lb of pull from the four strings it doesn't matter what the tuning is.
    In fact to me, the Blueridge looks well over braced. The only issue I have had with mine, which is about 5 years old, is some fret wear on the first few frets.

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    Default Re: Suggest a tenor guitar to string as octave mandolin please

    As fox said, GDAE is fine on the blueridge - or any tenor. The tension is not higher than standard tuning and is actually more balanced across the strings. This because while the gauge is thicker, the note is lower. You can use http://www.stringtensionpro.com/ to calculate the differences between the tunings.

  13. #12

    Default Re: Suggest a tenor guitar to string as octave mandolin please

    Quote Originally Posted by fox View Post
    You can safely use any popular tuning on the Blueridge.
    Generally speaking, most tenor guitars work well with around 80lb of pull from the four strings it doesn't matter what the tuning is.
    In fact to me, the Blueridge looks well over braced. The only issue I have had with mine, which is about 5 years old, is some fret wear on the first few frets.
    I calculated the total tension of CGDA tuning with standard tenor guitar strings to be 88 pounds. Using the John Pearse bluegrass string set in DGBE tuning results in a total tension of 92 pounds. I contacted Saga Music before I put the John Pearse strings on and they confirmed that the Blueridge BR-60T is fine at 92 pounds. They wouldn't say what the maximum tension allowed was but did confirm that 92 pounds was no problem.
    Blueridge BR-60T Tenor Guitar
    Eastwood Warren Ellis 2P Tenor Guitar

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    Default Re: Suggest a tenor guitar to string as octave mandolin please

    nevermind, I can't read

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    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Suggest a tenor guitar to string as octave mandolin please

    I have never tried octave tuning on a tenor guitar with a pin bridge, that was setup to use CGDA tuning. In order to use the thicker guage strings was it necessary to make the nut slots wider? Also, did it affect the intonation?
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

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    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Suggest a tenor guitar to string as octave mandolin please

    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

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    Default Re: Suggest a tenor guitar to string as octave mandolin please

    Quote Originally Posted by Charles E. View Post
    Thanks Charley.
    I saw that one on ebay. Looks cool.

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    Default Re: Suggest a tenor guitar to string as octave mandolin please

    Thanks everybody!
    I found a Blueridge BR-40TCE for $289. Mint, according to seller.
    I think I will buy a set of flatwound OM strings from emando.com. Their suggested gauge for a 23" octave mandolin in flatwound strings is .042 032 .022 .012. That's for a double course OM. I checked the string tension with http://www.stringtensionpro.com and it came out to about 84 lbs for GDAE tuning. The standard tenor string set in CGDA is 82 lbs. So string tension seems about right overall.
    Has anyone used flatwound strings in GDAE on one of these?

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    Default Re: Suggest a tenor guitar to string as octave mandolin please

    It seems that the Golden Gate C-1511 case is out of stock everywhere. Does anyone know if other cases will fit it.
    I've found these 2 that are made for Size-O guitars. Anyone know if they will fit?
    http://smile.amazon.com/Guardian-CG-.../dp/B004WDQ5NM
    http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DQ5NRA6

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    Registered User Seonachan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Suggest a tenor guitar to string as octave mandolin please

    I got the Guardian vintage case (044) for an 0-sized 6-string I once had, and it fit great, but didn't fit an 0-sized tenor. The upper bout & waist don't match. Can't speak to the cheaper Guardian case, but I'd imagine it's the same story.

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    Default Re: Suggest a tenor guitar to string as octave mandolin please

    Quote Originally Posted by colorado_al View Post
    It seems that the Golden Gate C-1511 case is out of stock everywhere. Does anyone know if other cases will fit it.
    I've found these 2 that are made for Size-O guitars. Anyone know if they will fit?
    http://smile.amazon.com/Guardian-CG-.../dp/B004WDQ5NM
    http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DQ5NRA6
    Mountain View Music has one in stock and the price is pretty good ( www.mountainviewmusic.com/product-p/c-1511.htm ). Haight Asbury Music also has one with a little higher price ( haightashburymusic.com/goldengate-gate-c1511-premier-hardshell-tenor-guitar-case-for-blueridge-br41 ). Check the shipping cost though because sometimes the total price is lower on the more expensive item. Good luck in your quest. The Golden Gate C-1511 case is what you want for your Blueridge BR-40T. It fits perfectly.
    Blueridge BR-60T Tenor Guitar
    Eastwood Warren Ellis 2P Tenor Guitar

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    mandolin slinger Steve Ostrander's Avatar
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    Default Re: Suggest a tenor guitar to string as octave mandolin please

    I ordered the GG c-1511 case from MF for $75 and some change. They said about 4 weeks on BO.
    Living’ in the Mitten

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  26. #22
    mandolin slinger Steve Ostrander's Avatar
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    Default Re: Suggest a tenor guitar to string as octave mandolin please

    I found a Blueridge BR-40TCE for $289. Mint, according to seller.
    That's a good deal, if it really is mint.
    Living’ in the Mitten

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    Default Re: Suggest a tenor guitar to string as octave mandolin please

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Ostrander View Post
    That's a good deal, if it really is mint.
    I'm guessing that it is not mint, but won't know until I see it. Should be here Friday.


    Quote Originally Posted by Chip Stewart View Post
    Mountain View Music has one in stock and the price is pretty good ( www.mountainviewmusic.com/product-p/c-1511.htm ). Haight Asbury Music also has one with a little higher price ( haightashburymusic.com/goldengate-gate-c1511-premier-hardshell-tenor-guitar-case-for-blueridge-br41 ). Check the shipping cost though because sometimes the total price is lower on the more expensive item. Good luck in your quest. The Golden Gate C-1511 case is what you want for your Blueridge BR-40T. It fits perfectly.
    Thanks for the heads up on cases

  28. #24

    Default Re: Suggest a tenor guitar to string as octave mandolin please

    That is a smokin' deal! May it serve you long and well. My new BR-40T and CG-1511 case arrived on the 12th from Amazon. I have been having a ball with it!

    Scott

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  30. #25
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    Default Re: Suggest a tenor guitar to string as octave mandolin please

    I contacted Musicians Friend and they placed a special order for me on the case for $79.99, free shipping. 4-6 weeks. Willing to wait and save $75 compared to the 2 places that have it in stock.

    In the meantime, I'm ordering a 3/4 size guitar gig bag for $25. Hope it fits.
    http://smile.amazon.com/Gator-GBE-MI.../dp/B000MXJIL2
    Thanks!
    Last edited by colorado_al; Apr-19-2016 at 9:03pm.

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