Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: Flight Pathfinder Tenor Uke as Mandola

  1. #1

    Default Flight Pathfinder Tenor Uke as Mandola

    This has been fun

    I persuaded my wife (didn't take much persuasion) to get me a Flight Pathfinder electric tenor uke for Christmas so that I could try restringing / retuning as a (tenor) mandola (CGDA). Since then I haven't been able to stop myself keeping picking it up and playing it!

    The only changes were to swap out the lower two strings. Even though it has a zero fret I did have to file the bottom string nut slightly to get the intonation back in. For the same reason I also found I had to drop out the spring from the bottom string bridge to get enough adjustment.

    Generally the build's really pretty good for the price, and it's a lovely looking thing. I thought the original (round) string tree was a bit over sized, and also the (now) G string break angle was pretty poor, so I fitted a Reverend triple tree which works brilliantly.

    I also fitted the push-pull series pickup mod which had worked so well on my Fender Tele Tenor, works just as well here - but there really isn't a lot of room to get it in!

    The stock pickups are ok, nothing special, but certainly fine for now.

    Only problem now is that I really fancy a guitar bodied acoustic mandola to match it...there's always one more instrument

    Oh, the other problem was when the box arrived and my wife said "have I just bought you a ukulele?" But it was ok once I explain it wasn't going to stay a uke for long...

    Cheers,

    Andy
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	mand1.jpg 
Views:	199 
Size:	529.3 KB 
ID:	191937   Click image for larger version. 

Name:	mand2.jpg 
Views:	160 
Size:	492.6 KB 
ID:	191938   Click image for larger version. 

Name:	mand3.jpg 
Views:	161 
Size:	404.6 KB 
ID:	191939  


  2. #2
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Outer Spiral Arm, of Galaxy, NW Oregon.
    Posts
    17,103

    Question Re: Flight Pathfinder Tenor Uke as Mandola

    How long does the scale measure? (bridge to nut,* free vibrating string length )

    * or zero fret ..


    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

  3. #3
    '`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`' Jacob's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Posts
    1,130

    Default Re: Flight Pathfinder Tenor Uke as Mandola


  4. #4
    Registered User mandolinstew's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Warwick,New York
    Posts
    637

    Default Re: Flight Pathfinder Tenor Uke as Mandola

    Roasted maple,yum

  5. #5

    Default Re: Flight Pathfinder Tenor Uke as Mandola

    Yes 17", sorry for slow reply!

  6. #6

    Default Re: Flight Pathfinder Tenor Uke as Mandola

    I'm looking at this exact uke to use as a Tenor CGDA. What strings do you use and how did it play? I'm hoping this shorter scale 17" vs 23" of a standard tenor will give me less tension on the strings, a warmer sound and make the strings easier to bend.

  7. #7

    Default Re: Flight Pathfinder Tenor Uke as Mandola

    Quote Originally Posted by RikkD View Post
    I'm looking at this exact uke to use as a Tenor CGDA. What strings do you use and how did it play? I'm hoping this shorter scale 17" vs 23" of a standard tenor will give me less tension on the strings, a warmer sound and make the strings easier to bend.
    You should play around with an online string tension calculator to see what the tension would be. I suspect that it isn't going to be less with a 17" compared to a 23".

  8. The following members say thank you to thistle3585 for this post:

    RikkD 

  9. #8
    Mandol'Aisne Daniel Nestlerode's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Picardy
    Posts
    2,176
    Blog Entries
    81

    Default Re: Flight Pathfinder Tenor Uke as Mandola

    I have a Weber Alder #2 mandola with a 17" scale length. I use D'Addario DY-80s (octave mandolin) on it and tune it CGDA. Works great.
    The samme guage strings should work for your Pathfinder.

    Daniel

  10. The following members say thank you to Daniel Nestlerode for this post:

    RikkD 

  11. #9
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Outer Spiral Arm, of Galaxy, NW Oregon.
    Posts
    17,103

    Default Re: Flight Pathfinder Tenor Uke as Mandola

    5th interval Options; other than Viola CGDA is EBF#C# & FCGD..

    Ukes with glued on bridges wont take the tension of steel strings an instrument with a metal tail piece can .
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

  12. #10

    Default String Tension for Tenor Uke as Mandola

    Quote Originally Posted by RikkD View Post
    I'm looking at this exact uke to use as a Tenor CGDA. What strings do you use and how did it play? I'm hoping this shorter scale 17" vs 23" of a standard tenor will give me less tension on the strings, a warmer sound and make the strings easier to bend.
    Quote Originally Posted by thistle3585 View Post
    You should play around with an online string tension calculator to see what the tension would be. I suspect that it isn't going to be less with a 17" compared to a 23".
    Hi RikkD,

    Andrew is correct; tension is tension.

    For me, ~15 lbs. per string (~60 lbs. total) is a good benchmark for electrics. You can go up or down with gauges to achieve different tensions.

    22.75" scale Tenor Tele CGDA (8-12-18P-30)
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Tenor Tele 1.png 
Views:	93 
Size:	7.3 KB 
ID:	195260

    17" scale Mandola CGDA (11-16-26-40)
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Mandola 1.png 
Views:	87 
Size:	6.7 KB 
ID:	195262

    So, 11-16-26-40 gives you almost identical tension ~60 lbs. total. Gauges changed - not tension. So, in this case, with the increase in gauge the feel and ability to bend strings will change, not tension.

    Lighter set ~55 lbs. total
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Mandola 2.png 
Views:	80 
Size:	6.9 KB 
ID:	195264

    Heavier set ~70 lbs. total
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Mandola 3.png 
Views:	81 
Size:	6.9 KB 
ID:	195265

    Half gauges (on plain strings) will help with more balanced tension, but I hope you get the theory. Good luck!

    Links for 3 tension calculators:
    Last edited by Huck; Jul-19-2021 at 10:13am. Reason: Added links

  13. The following members say thank you to Huck for this post:

    RikkD 

  14. #11

    Default Re: Flight Pathfinder Tenor Uke as Mandola

    Quote Originally Posted by RikkD View Post
    I'm looking at this exact uke to use as a Tenor CGDA. What strings do you use and how did it play? I'm hoping this shorter scale 17" vs 23" of a standard tenor will give me less tension on the strings, a warmer sound and make the strings easier to bend.
    Apologies, haven't been on here for ages! 10-13-20-30 for CGDA, I use the same size on this and my Fender Tele Tenor (GDAD). Can't promise it would suit everybody, but suits me!

    Cheers,

    Andy

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •