I recently bought a very inexpensive Octave Mandolin in order to more easily learn to play melody (I've been playing a 'zouk for about a year, but basically chords). I tuned the Octave Mando to GDAD, the same as the 'zouk; but there is incredible distortion on the higher strings -- particularly the A string -- whenever I push a string down onto a fret. I've looked at the bridge and the nut and neither seem too high. It just seems like the strings have so little tension that they pull way out of tune when I fret a note.
Is this normal for an Octave mandolin, is it just because I bought too cheap of an instrument, or is there some kind of tuning trick I need to do?
It might also have to do with the position of the bridge. Although it should be the same distance from the twelfth fret to the bridge as to the nut, sometimes the bass part of the bridge should be positioned slightly further back. Have you checked the tuning with the harmonics on the twelfth fret?
Yes, what they say above; the best thing is to get a proper set-up by a competent luthier if you're unsure. If you have a floating bridge, then bridge placement would be the first thing to check and adjust; Frank Ford, at FRETS.com, has an article about this:
It's the procedure same for flat top OM as for a carved top mandolin.
Are you using the same gauge strings that you put on your longer scaled bouzouki? If so, it could be that the strings you're using are too light a gauge for the shorter scale length and tuning of your OM. There are sets made for shorter scale OM instruments; you can experiment with this too.
Also, a change in string gauge can, theoretically, affect intonation and require different compesation at the bridge...
I ask becauseoctave mandolin scale lengths can vary by more than 3 inches, depending on the maker. I've seen instruments with 20 1/4" scale lengths and others with 23 1/2" lengths. If you have a shorter instrument, your strings my simply be too light for that scale.
I build my own string sets because none of the packaged sets have exactly what I need. Here is a handy string tension calculator for figuring out what will work best for you.
Oh, and back to the OP, could you offer more info on the cheap octave mando you bought? I've been looking at a VERY cheap ($100) one at Lark of the Morning, here's the link....
Does anyone have any experience/ info on such an instrument? I already have a very fine mandola, but am looking for something inexpensive that I don't have to worry about.
Scale length is the length measured between the nut and bridge. Aonduine, your problem is that your strings need to be a bigger gauge (thicker - so that they don't distort). OMs need nice big chunky strings on. You can't get away with bouzouki strings because not only do they distort in the way you describe, they also sound like crap - too thin and tinny. Measure your scale length and then use the gauge calculator in that link above, and then go out and buy some new strings; problem solved.
String tension on Octave Mandolin
String tension on Octave Mandolin
I recently bought a very inexpensive Octave Mandolin in order to more easily learn to play melody (I've been playing a 'zouk for about a year, but basically chords). I tuned the Octave Mando to GDAD, the same as the 'zouk; but there is incredible distortion on the higher strings -- particularly the A string -- whenever I push a string down onto a fret. I've looked at the bridge and the nut and neither seem too high. It just seems like the strings have so little tension that they pull way out of tune when I fret a note.
Is this normal for an Octave mandolin, is it just because I bought too cheap of an instrument, or is there some kind of tuning trick I need to do?
# Posted on November 22nd 2005 by aonduine
Re: String tension on Octave Mandolin
It might also have to do with the position of the bridge. Although it should be the same distance from the twelfth fret to the bridge as to the nut, sometimes the bass part of the bridge should be positioned slightly further back. Have you checked the tuning with the harmonics on the twelfth fret?
If in doubt, have someone "set it up" for you.
# Posted on November 22nd 2005 by Johnny Jay
Re: String tension on Octave Mandolin
A setup might do you a lot of good.
# Posted on November 22nd 2005 by Why Bother?
Re: String tension on Octave Mandolin
Yes, what they say above; the best thing is to get a proper set-up by a competent luthier if you're unsure. If you have a floating bridge, then bridge placement would be the first thing to check and adjust; Frank Ford, at FRETS.com, has an article about this:
http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Musician/Mandolin/MandoString/mandostring3.html
It's the procedure same for flat top OM as for a carved top mandolin.
Are you using the same gauge strings that you put on your longer scaled bouzouki? If so, it could be that the strings you're using are too light a gauge for the shorter scale length and tuning of your OM. There are sets made for shorter scale OM instruments; you can experiment with this too.
Also, a change in string gauge can, theoretically, affect intonation and require different compesation at the bridge...
Good luck!
# Posted on November 22nd 2005 by Keith Dubinsky
Re: String tension on Octave Mandolin
1. What is the scale length of your Octo?
2. What gauge strings are you using?
I ask becauseoctave mandolin scale lengths can vary by more than 3 inches, depending on the maker. I've seen instruments with 20 1/4" scale lengths and others with 23 1/2" lengths. If you have a shorter instrument, your strings my simply be too light for that scale.
I build my own string sets because none of the packaged sets have exactly what I need. Here is a handy string tension calculator for figuring out what will work best for you.
http://www.greenmanhumming.com/html/StringCalc/Multistringcalc.html
# Posted on November 22nd 2005 by Craymcla
Re: String tension on Octave Mandolin
Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question, but what measurement is the "scale length"?
# Posted on December 16th 2005 by ketida
Re: String tension on Octave Mandolin
Oh, and back to the OP, could you offer more info on the cheap octave mando you bought? I've been looking at a VERY cheap ($100) one at Lark of the Morning, here's the link....
http://larkinthemorning.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_MAN089_A_Octave+Mandolins_E_
Does anyone have any experience/ info on such an instrument? I already have a very fine mandola, but am looking for something inexpensive that I don't have to worry about.
# Posted on December 16th 2005 by ketida
Re: String tension on Octave Mandolin
Scale length is the length measured between the nut and bridge. Aonduine, your problem is that your strings need to be a bigger gauge (thicker - so that they don't distort). OMs need nice big chunky strings on. You can't get away with bouzouki strings because not only do they distort in the way you describe, they also sound like crap - too thin and tinny. Measure your scale length and then use the gauge calculator in that link above, and then go out and buy some new strings; problem solved.
# Posted on December 16th 2005 by Dr. Dow