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Thread: Ukulele with mando tuning

  1. #1
    Deacon M100A Minorkey's Avatar
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    Default Ukulele with mando tuning

    Anyone tried this, stringing a uke up with GDAE tuning?
    I've been googling but not come across one yet, but being a uke player with a liking for mando tuning the idea appeals to me. It would have to be a custom nylon set, a bit of mix and match.

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    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ukulele with mando tuning

    Aquila 30U is the string set, I used them on a little Keech banjo and they sound great!
    If you try them on a concert rather than soprano ukulele then they may break.
    Tune those to CGDA but I’m not sure about the tone.

    The problem I found was finding a source for large diameter nylon strings. You’re getting into Classical or interesting instruments and then it’s a lot more money.

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    Likes quaint instruments poul hansen's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ukulele with mando tuning

    Yes Aquila makes the 30U but if you want a set for concert or tenor, write and ask Mimmo at Aquila. He'll probaly be able to make a set out of existing strings.

    He made a set of strings for my vintage 10 string guitar.
    Kentucky KM-805..........2 Hora M1086 Portuguese II(1 in car)
    Hora M1088 Mandola.....
    Richmond RMA-110..... .Noname Bearclaw
    Pochette Franz Janisch...5 Pocket............Alfredo Privitera pocket
    Puglisi Pocket 1908........Puglisi 1912.......Puglisi 1917
    3 Mandolinetto ..............C.Garozzo
    1 Mandriola...................Cannelo G. Mandriola...Böhm Waldzither 1921
    Johs Møller 1945............Luigi Embergher Studio 1933
    Marma Seashell back......Luigi Embergher 5bis 1909

  5. #4
    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ukulele with mando tuning

    I found 150 m of fishing line 1.3mm diameter. 22 dollars.
    I think it was about 20lb breaking strain -I imagined it should be more than that, maybe it's not strong enough.
    The good news though is that it's bright orange with a green fluorescent marker every 50 cm.
    Last edited by Simon DS; Jan-28-2022 at 8:58am.

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    '`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`' Jacob's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ukulele with mando tuning


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    Deacon M100A Minorkey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ukulele with mando tuning

    Quote Originally Posted by Jacob View Post
    Why is the soprano set GDAE but the concert set CGDA?

  10. #7
    '`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`' Jacob's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ukulele with mando tuning

    Soprano ukes have a scale length of 13 inches and can be tuned to mandolin pitch GDAE with the soprano set.
    Concert ukes have a longer scale length of 15 inches and can be tuned to mandola pitch, a 5th lower, CGDA with the concert set.
    The soprano set will not tune up to mandolin pitch on a concert uke. Strings will pop. I have tried.
    The concert set will successfully tune up to mandola pitch on a 17 inch scale tenor uke. This works for me.
    I play an eight string tenor uke tuned as a mandola with two of the concert sets.
    Last edited by Jacob; Jan-28-2022 at 10:47am.

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    Tired & Cranky Monte Barnett's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ukulele with mando tuning

    I wouldn't have considered ukulele if not for hearing Rob MacKillop's music (in 5ths tuning) on YouTube. I use a Concert tuned GDAE using La Bella 900 Gold Classical Guitar Strings (the 6-4-2-1 strings from the set - .042w .034w .031p .028p as measured on a digital micrometer). I use the same strings (the 5-4-2-1 from a set) on a baritone tuned CGDA. On another baritone I use Thomastic-Infeld CF128 Classical guitar strings (the 6-5-3-2) tuned GDAE an octave below mandolin. Some really gorgeous tone available!

    All three of the ukes are in my avatar pic.
    Monte

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    Deacon M100A Minorkey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ukulele with mando tuning

    Thanks guys

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    Default Re: Ukulele with mando tuning

    Yes, I use GDAE strings for ukuleles. Here are the samples.


    My books - books
    My videos -YouTube
    Duo UF UF - YouTube

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    Default Re: Ukulele with mando tuning

    Yes, I also use CGDA strings on concert ukuleles. Here is my playlist.
    My books - books
    My videos -YouTube
    Duo UF UF - YouTube

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    Deacon M100A Minorkey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ukulele with mando tuning

    Cool stuff guys

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    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ukulele with mando tuning

    Even fit the uke with loose metal strings and an electric pickup. Then amp it to whatever tone you want.
    You’ve got loads of options.
    Check Rob Meldrum’s pdf too.

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    Default Re: Ukulele with mando tuning

    Quote Originally Posted by Minorkey View Post
    Anyone tried this, stringing a uke up with GDAE tuning?
    I've been googling but not come across one yet, but being a uke player with a liking for mando tuning the idea appeals to me. It would have to be a custom nylon set, a bit of mix and match.

    About two weeks ago i installed a set of "Soprano" nylon GDAE strings onto a "Concert" Uke that I happened to have, the "E" is rather tight but holding. The strings were 60cm in length I believe and long enough to easily fit the Concert - sounds OK but not a lot of sustain........I have a set of CGDA's in reserve! I normally play a Tenor uke, but can get my fingers onto a Concert reasonably well.

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    Deacon M100A Minorkey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ukulele with mando tuning

    Quote Originally Posted by Simon DS View Post
    Even fit the uke with loose metal strings and an electric pickup. Then amp it to whatever tone you want.
    You’ve got loads of options.
    Check Rob Meldrum’s pdf too.
    Nah, not interested in playing through an amp, not my bag

  22. #16
    Deacon M100A Minorkey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ukulele with mando tuning

    Another thought is I have a baritone uke. It doesn't get played much because its tuning, DGBE, is the same as the bottom 4 strings of a guitar. Is there some kind of celtic tuning I could use with current uke strings that would complement mandolin music? (I'm not into bluegrass, I prefer the celtic stuff)

  23. #17
    Deacon M100A Minorkey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ukulele with mando tuning

    Success! Took the 5th 4th 2nd and 1st strings off my classical and strung up the baritone uke to CGDA-mandola tuning!
    Ideally it wants new strings, they've been on the classical since 2015 but not played much. The 2nd string (D) sounds a bit dead. But its still very playable!


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    Deacon M100A Minorkey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ukulele with mando tuning

    I've just got to learn the chord shapes now...

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    Tired & Cranky Monte Barnett's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ukulele with mando tuning

    Quote Originally Posted by Minorkey View Post
    Success! Took the 5th 4th 2nd and 1st strings off my classical and strung up the baritone uke to CGDA-mandola tuning!
    Ideally it wants new strings, they've been on the classical since 2015 but not played much. The 2nd string (D) sounds a bit dead. But its still very playable!
    Great! Here's a really pretty piece in that tuning (on tenor guitar) from Kym Warner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGn2...st=LL&index=66
    Monte

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  27. #20
    Deacon M100A Minorkey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ukulele with mando tuning

    Quote Originally Posted by MB-Octo View Post
    Great! Here's a really pretty piece in that tuning (on tenor guitar) from Kym Warner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGn2...st=LL&index=66
    Cheers, I'll listen to that tonight.
    Meanwhile here's something I came up with going from B7 to Am.


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  29. #21
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    Default Re: Ukulele with mando tuning

    Quote Originally Posted by Minorkey View Post
    Another thought is I have a baritone uke. It doesn't get played much because its tuning, DGBE, is the same as the bottom 4 strings of a guitar. Is there some kind of celtic tuning I could use with current uke strings that would complement mandolin music? (I'm not into bluegrass, I prefer the celtic stuff)
    Can I suggest the following:

    Contact Lee at "Strings Direct" here in the UK and explain what you are after. He was extremely helpful in sorting out strings for me re-stringing/tuning a Tenor Mandola (18" scale) to Ukulele "C" tuning, GCEA. He offered several alternatives at various tensions. Although these were PB metal strings Strings Direct also carry a huge range of Nylon for Guitars and ukes.....

    ALTERNATIVELY, contact Ken at "Living Water Strings" also here in the UK - You will also get excellent advice there.

    David P

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    Deacon M100A Minorkey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ukulele with mando tuning

    Quote Originally Posted by David P View Post
    Can I suggest the following:

    Contact Lee at "Strings Direct" here in the UK and explain what you are after. He was extremely helpful in sorting out strings for me re-stringing/tuning a Tenor Mandola (18" scale) to Ukulele "C" tuning, GCEA. He offered several alternatives at various tensions. Although these were PB metal strings Strings Direct also carry a huge range of Nylon for Guitars and ukes.....

    ALTERNATIVELY, contact Ken at "Living Water Strings" also here in the UK - You will also get excellent advice there.

    David P
    Classical guitar strings are the way to go. See my posts above

  31. #23
    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ukulele with mando tuning

    Sounds good, Minorkey, one thing I suggest ( because I’m a metronome maniac! ) is to almost always use a metronome for practice and reduce the tempo till you get the chord changes with the beat. Nice tone and chords. I actually have a ukulele that needs strings so this is good motivation, thanks!

  32. #24
    Deacon M100A Minorkey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ukulele with mando tuning

    Quote Originally Posted by MB-Octo View Post
    Great! Here's a really pretty piece in that tuning (on tenor guitar) from Kym Warner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGn2...st=LL&index=66
    Monte
    That is a nice sounding instrument!

  33. #25
    Registered User Cary Fagan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ukulele with mando tuning

    I have a little sopranino uke with Aquila 5ths strings on it I use when I'm travelling with just one bag which I can put it in. It gives my restless hands something to play. I also had this Kala baritone uke tuned GDAE (until I got a Regal tenor) and it was fun to play. Here's a video of my attempt. I found the string requirements here on the cafe but I can look in my file if anyone wants them.
    Cary Fagan

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