Mandola & Octave Mandolin: Troubleshooting Scale Length to Determine What Tuning to Use

Subject: tuning an octave mandolin
Date: Fri, 3 Sep 2004 20:49:57 +0100

Hi Mickey,

Greetings Steve,

I have recently bought an Ashbury octave mandolin (I think its also called a mandola) and I am having trouble tuning it.

I know its tuned an octave lower than the mandolin I have and have used an electronic tuner to do this. I had to move and angle the bridge to get the strings producing harmonics and matching the tuning on adjacent sets at the 7th fret. However, although I can play tunes which sound ok as I do on the mandolin, when the base strings are struck they seem to be far looser than I'd expect to the extent that the almost rattle!.

Yes, as an octave scale length, it would be tuned an octave lower than mandolin. However, if the scale length is of a mandola (which is entirely different from an octave), then it should be tuned as a mandola which is a fourth lower: C G D A as opposed to an octave lower: G D A E...this could be why you're encountering the buzzing on the bass end. Now, you'll want to be extra careful to measure the scale length before attempting to tune it up to the C G D A mandola tuning.

Could you give me guidance please. It would be helpful if your web pages for the octave mandolin have a tuning video clip like the one you have for the mandolin so I could check I have the right tuning.

Yes, this is already on the agenda...we hope to have this up sometime this month...I wish I could dedicate more time to the lessons section of our website...

Also I see from an earlier discussion that octave mandolin strings are different from ordinary mandolin strings. I've looked in a number of music shops and although they stock mandolin strings I have not come across strings specifically for the octave mandolin.Who makes them and how do I obtain these?

Yes, octave mandolin strings are a heavier gauge than mandolin...and usually have more length than mandolin strings...to accommodate the longer scale. The heavier gauge strings allow for a lower tuning with less rattle. Keep in mind, one of the charateristics of the octave is some string rattle on the bass end...not a lot...just enough to give it character.

Hope this helps, Mickey

Grateful for your advice, Steve Chesters

England