BanjoUke - convert to Mandolin - ???

[Donzen]

I have a Gold tone BanjoUkulele.

I am wondering if someone might tell me IF I can convert it to a BanjoLIN or set it up as a Mandolin.

Can I just go forward and put Mando strings on it?
Would the scale length be OK?
Could the neck and overall integrity of the instrument be compromised/damaged?
If this is at all possible, would it require special strings?

Any and all comments or suggestions would be appreciated........Thank you.
Donzen

[Martin Jonas]

As far as I can see, these Gold Tone banjo ukes have the same scale length as a standard soprano uke. If so, you should be able to convert to mandolin tuning in the same way as any other soprano uke, namely by restringing with the new Aquila nylgut set intended for just that purpose. More in this (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50858&highlight=aquila) thread. Elderly also stock these strings for $5.80 per set (link (http://elderly.com/accessories/items/ANS5.htm)), which is quite a lot cheaper than I was able to get them in Europe directly from Aquila.

The tension in these is designed for wooden ukes: you may find that you need higher tension to drive the head on your banjo.

Martin

[mandroid]

I should try a set of those Aquila's,.. I have been tuning to `FCGD & GDAE for years,
stringing with three Martin Baritone Uke strings, replacing the lower 3 , keeping the #1 string in-place [or one like it] they seem fine .. G wound with silvered copper like classical guitar strings,
the D is wound with aluminum wire.

I rescued a Slingerland May Belle, was a banjo-uke, just an old hoop and neck by having someone put a spruce head on , edge bound the top, used fingerboard fret slotted for mandolin lacquered it amber .. named it 'Kawlija' .. ;)
:popcorn:

[John Flynn]

I would not put regular mandolin strings on it. Too much tension.

Another option that I use on my 14.5" scale mando-tuned uke is to take the 4, 3, and 2 strings from a cheap classical guitar set as the GDA strings respectively. Unfortunately, the classical guitar E string will not work as an E on mando-uke. For the E, I use .04mm, 20 pound test, monofilament nylon fishing line. The person who built my uke suggested that to me. You can get a spool of the fishing line that would last you a lifetime for a few bucks at any sporting goods store. I only change the E when it breaks. The plain nylon D and A will last a very, very long time. They don't get dull as easily as steel strings. I buy single wound G's and replace the G when it sounds dull.

[Donzen]

Thank You...Thank You very much Gentlemen!!

So, now I am encouraged to go forward with a string change - and, assuming I acquire the Acquila nylon strings as suggested by Mr. Martin Jonas, would I change Uke strings G-C-E-A for exactly their intended position on the BanjoUke. In other words, does BanjoUke string A become E as a Mandolin? Or, do I take the E from the Uke string set and use it as the Mandolin E.

Does Uke E stay as E Mandolin
Does Uke A stay as A Mandolin
Does Uke G stay as G Mandolin ..... And finally, does Uke C get tuned to Mandolin D?

Is there an Octave change here??

I really appreciate all this great advice.

If this works out I think I'll then go get some fish line as suggested. Appreciate all this input............Donzen

[Martin Jonas]

Those Aquila sets have four strings in them, marked G, D, A and E, and you put them exactly where they would be on a mandolin and tune them to exactly the pitch of a mandolin. No re-entrant tuning involved. The G string is wound, the other three strings are plain. If your banjo-uke is set up for high-G tuning, you may need to widen the bottom nut slot if you have trouble getting the wound G string to slide smoothly along the slot.

Martin

[mandroid]

OTOH my kit uses the .022" from the soprano uke... its tighter than the standard uke pitch to get to E
the Martin Baritone string sets are less than $3 Like at Elderly. the 1st string is unused.

I've had some of the wound ones snap bringing it up to pitch too fast ,
they are a multifiliment synthetic core, so I leave it at FCGD for a while.

a perfectly good set of 5ths intervals..