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  #1  
Old 05-06-2015, 10:45 PM
flaggerphil flaggerphil is offline
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Default Mandolin-Guitar tuning

I recently bought a Gold Tone GM-6 mandolin-guitar and am slowly getting the hang of it. Since I have my guitars all tuned down a whole step to D I wondered if it would be ok to tune the GM-6 down, also. Anyone have one of these and played with the tuning? Do you think it would hurt the neck?

Also, I'm not really impressed with the strings that came with it. Any recommendations for strings?
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Old 05-07-2015, 07:02 AM
pops pops is offline
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Haven't played the Gold tone, but i wouldn't think it would hurt anything to alter your tunings.
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Old 05-15-2015, 11:29 PM
Wade Hampton Wade Hampton is offline
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Tuning it down a whole step won't hurt anything. Tuning UP a step could be a problem.

whm
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Old 05-16-2015, 09:33 AM
Steve DeRosa Steve DeRosa is offline
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Haven't played one of those in a few years so I don't recall if it takes ball or loop end, but other than the fact that there's going to be lots of leftover at the headstock there's no reason you can't use any standard set - I've pressed full-length banjo strings into service with mandolin in a pinch, and just cut off the extra two feet or so. I'd also find out what the OEM gauges are, and go one gauge heavier for tuning down to D...
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Old 05-16-2015, 10:35 AM
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cpmusic cpmusic is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wade Hampton View Post
Tuning it down a whole step won't hurt anything. Tuning UP a step could be a problem.
Agreed. You might need to adjust the truss rod (if there is one) to account for the reduced tension, but the instrument will not be harmed by lower tuning.
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Old 05-16-2015, 12:39 PM
K-vegas K-vegas is offline
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I saw one of those the other day at a local music store. Looked like a mandolin but had 6 strings. I see it's tuned an octave above standard guitar.

Can't imagine tuning down a half step would be an issue

Have fun with that!
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