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Thread: What if

  1. #1
    Registered User PT66's Avatar
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    Default What if

    The other day I was reading a post on another part of the forum about the Octolindo 4 string octave mandolin. I went to their website and saw that they also make a mandolin size 4 string. I have an instrument that I built awhile ago as a steel string tenor ukulele with a 16 1/4 scale length. If I restrung it to be tuned CGda would it be a 4 string mandola or an ultra short scale tenor guitar? Am I crazy (rhetorical question)?
    Last edited by PT66; Mar-04-2023 at 11:50am. Reason: Misspelling

  2. #2
    Registered User PT66's Avatar
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    Default Re: What if

    I forgot how to add a picture.
    Dave Schneider

  3. #3
    Registered User PT66's Avatar
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    Default What if

    The other day I was reading a post on about the Octolindo 4 string octave mandolin. I went to their website and saw that they also make a mandolin size 4 string. I have an instrument that I built awhile ago as a steel string tenor ukulele with a 16 1/4 scale length. If I restrung it to be tuned CGda would it be a 4 string mandola or an ultra short scale tenor guitar? Am I crazy (rhetorical question)?
    Last edited by PT66; Mar-04-2023 at 11:49am. Reason: Misspelling

  4. #4

    Default Re: What if

    Quote Originally Posted by PT66 View Post
    I have an instrument that I built awhile ago as a steel string tenor ukulele with a 16 1/4 scale length. If I restrung it to be tuned CGda would it be a 4 string mandola or an ultra short scale tenor guitar? Am I crazy (rhetorical question)?
    I say yes (andno, you're not crazy). I've done the electric-tenor-uke-to-single-strung-electric-mandola thing many times. I like the range.
    ----

    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 25.5" scale CGDAEB-tuned Ovation Mandophone.

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  5. #5
    Registered User PT66's Avatar
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    Default Re: What if

    So……is it a 4 string mandala or a short scale tenor guitar? BTW I tune it up a step (DAeb).

  6. #6

    Default Re: What if

    I personally think of it as an electric mandola, but am not a stickler for nomenclature. I just love the tuning, and do most of my work in it.

    I also have a resophonic tenot guitar which I keep in octave tuning (GDAE). Occasionally people want to name it something or other, and I don't argue. Sometimes they take my friendly capitulations to their fierce insistence as insincere and demand I adopt their viewpoints enthusiastically. I just temind myself of a lesson from long ago: Never get into a music job or band with someone who cares more about words than about the actual music. After all,who wants to spend time in a van or a bus on the road with someone like that?
    ----

    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 25.5" scale CGDAEB-tuned Ovation Mandophone.

    Love mandola?
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  7. #7
    Registered User PT66's Avatar
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    Default Re: What if

    I wish I could remember how to post a picture. This instrument is purely acoustic. Walnut back and sides with a cedar top. Pin bridge. I agree that music is more important than words. I guess I can’t help trying to name the instruments I build. Been at it for 60 years.

  8. #8
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    Default Re: What if

    You can do that and call it what you will! A fnorten, perhaps? Make sure the string tension is reasonable and be prepared to try different gauges to find what works for your hands and music. Check and adjust nut, bridge and setup and start playing. I think it would be fun for you and worth the effort.
    A couple years in, now, and still learning!
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  10. #9
    Registered User PT66's Avatar
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    Default Re: What if

    I think I‘ll call it a travel size tenor guitar.

  11. #10
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: What if

    I have a distinct feeling that our friend Oscar Stern with the screen name of lots of letters and numbers will soon find this thread and remind us that its ancester is a Brescian single strung four course mandolin.
    Jim

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  13. #11
    Registered User PT66's Avatar
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    Default Re: What if

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	C992C401-D405-40DC-8CA5-007E05D07585.jpg 
Views:	38 
Size:	844.8 KB 
ID:	206415 this is my “travel size Tenor Guitar “ formerly my steel string ukulele.
    Dave Schneider

  14. #12

    Default Re: What if

    Your 'Oval Hole,' travel size, Tenor Guitar!

  15. #13

    Default Re: What if

    I approve. I have a CGDA-tuned ukulele McNally Strumstick as a hypercompact mandola, and love that you're exploring that same space.

    Pretty instrument!
    ----

    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 25.5" scale CGDAEB-tuned Ovation Mandophone.

    Love mandola?
    Join the Mandola Social Group!

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