Yank tuning string guages

[Mike Herlihy]

Toying with the idea of stringing one of my mandos in Yank's "E" tuning. (1 1/2 steps down). I did some quick calculations with the string tension tool:

scale 350.0mm (13.779527559055119inch)
E =>165.0 - 0.045 - 10.12 Kg
B =>247.0 - 0.03 - 10.15 Kg
F# => 370.0 - 0.018 - 8.77 Kg
C# => 554.0 - 0.014 - 11.91 Kg
totaltension = 40.947 Kg

This is a normal J74 set:
scale 350.0mm (13.779527559055119inch)
G - 196.0 - 0.04 - 11.31 Kg
D - 294.0 - 0.026 - 10.5 Kg
A - 440.0 - 0.015 - 8.61 Kg
E - 659.0 - 0.011 - 10.39 Kg
totaltension = 40.806 Kg

Looks like it would work. Any opinions would be appreciated.

thx, Mike

[Spruce]

Just make sure that the pairs are seriously out of tune with one another for the true Yank vibe...

[lgc]

I don't think Yank put his deliberately WAY out of tune and some songs he's actually pretty close. I've heard he just didn't care. By nature of the string tension at that tuning they will go out enough. I've found some mandos-particularly mandos of lesser quality-hold in that tuning better than others.

[Andrew DeMarco]

Can someone explain this Yank tuning -- the why's and what's? I'm assuming Yank is Yank Rachel? Did he always play that way?

[MandoSquirrel]

Put "G" fingerings in the blues-popular key of "E"

[John Flynn]

I didn't realize Yank was classified as "Rock, Folk Rock, Roots Rock, Rockabilly." You learn something new every day! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Seriously, though, does anyone know what's going on with that Yank tribute CD?

[lgc]

It is the same fifths tuning dropped down a step and a half.

[hoffmannia2k7]

I heard Yank Rachell thought he was in g but somebody forgot the tuner