I am buying a 4-string CBG and plan to try GDAE tuning one octave lower than a mandolin.  OK - full disclosure, I play mando but do not read music and do not even know what an octave is!  I guess it is the same notes just lower, so I am wondering what strings to buy to do this.

Thanks,

BB

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You could try mandolin strings if they fit your scale, might as well try if you got some aroung.
Cheers Ron.
The scale is 25" - which is longer then a mando.

Mungo Park said:
You could try mandolin strings if they fit your scale, might as well try if you got some aroung.
Cheers Ron.
Looks like what you have, basically, is a 4 string bouzouki. You can search for bouzouki string sets to get an idea about the right gauges:

http://www.juststrings.com/dad-js81.html
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-6411.html
Try from high to low, .011 / .016 / .028 / .040
Use this: http://www.strothers.com/string_choice.htm

Enter your string length and desired pitch for each string and voila -- no guesswork.

I generally go a few points lighter because I like lighter strings.
The page asks for an open tuning key. What do I put in if I want GDAE?

Thanks!

Diane in Chicago said:
Use this: http://www.strothers.com/string_choice.htm

Enter your string length and desired pitch for each string and voila -- no guesswork.

I generally go a few points lighter because I like lighter strings.
Barry Lampke said:
The page asks for an open tuning key. What do I put in if I want GDAE? Thanks!

Here is the item I am bidding on:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250676229256...


Diane in Chicago said:
Use this: http://www.strothers.com/string_choice.htm

Enter your string length and desired pitch for each string and voila -- no guesswork. I generally go a few points lighter because I like lighter strings.
You enter each string one at a time.

So first you put in G, and 24" for "length" and see what it says. Write that down and buy that string.

Then put in D, etc.

So I got .033, .022, .015, .010. That's your starting point. You can go up or down a few thousandths as you prefer.

You might find that the strings you need match a set sold by CB Gitty. He's got a pretty wide variety of sets.

Barry Lampke said:
The page asks for an open tuning key. What do I put in if I want GDAE?
Thanks!
Diane in Chicago said:
Use this: http://www.strothers.com/string_choice.htm

Enter your string length and desired pitch for each string and voila -- no guesswork. I generally go a few points lighter because I like lighter strings.
Thanks, Diane!

Diane in Chicago said:
You enter each string one at a time.

So first you put in G, and 24" for "length" and see what it says. Write that down and buy that string.

Then put in D, etc.

So I got .033, .022, .015, .010. That's your starting point. You can go up or down a few thousandths as you prefer.

You might find that the strings you need match a set sold by CB Gitty. He's got a pretty wide variety of sets.

Barry Lampke said:
The page asks for an open tuning key. What do I put in if I want GDAE?
Thanks!
Diane in Chicago said:
Use this: http://www.strothers.com/string_choice.htm

Enter your string length and desired pitch for each string and voila -- no guesswork. I generally go a few points lighter because I like lighter strings.
Here are the sizes for GHS OM strings: http://www.juststrings.com/ghs-pf285.html I'm building an OM now, have some pics posted on my page.

Go to a music store and buy individual strings.   You can buy G --.040,  D -- .026,  A -- .015 Plain,  E -- .011 plain.   OR  G -- .034,  D --.024,  A -- .014 plain,  E -- .010 plain

Just for your information an OCTAVE is 8 notes

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