'Dola Octaved?

[ccravens]

Dumb question of the day: is it possible or desireable to string up a mandola with octave pairs on the first 2 courses, like some people do with 'zouks?

Thanks for not throwing things.....

[sgarrity]

Yup it is. Steve Smith from New Mexico usually has his Gibson 'dola strung that way. Very cool sound.

[Jim MacDaniel]

Interesting concept. Do you have any idea what scale length, strings gauges, and tuning he is working with?

[sgarrity]

It's a Gibson H2 so those are what......~15 3/4"? Not sure about string gauges. I think it's standard CGDA

[allenhopkins]

If you're going to "octave up" (add a C string one octave above the standard 4th string, e.g.), remember that the 2nd string is tuned to D, so adding a string of the same gauge to the 4th course, and tuning it just one whole step below its tuning in the 2nd course, will work. Ditto with the G string in the 3rd course: a 1st string will only be one whole step below its "standard" pitch.

You may have to re-cut nut and bridge saddle slots to deal with the thinner strings. I put my Octofone into "octaved" OM tuning, and it's a neat, full sound, especially when chording.

[Jim MacDaniel]

Does Steve Smith octave up or octave down? If the former, is 16.75" even long enough to octave down?

[sgarrity]

I'd imagine it's an actave up like on a 'zouk.