Tenor guitar tuned as OM

**Eric F.** · Dec-03-2005, 7:21pm

OK, this got no answers in Equipment, so I'll try it here where folks who play longer-scale instruments hang out.

I have a tenor guitar tuned CGDA and I want to try it in GDAE. Can anyone suggest which strings to use?

**Jim Garber** · Dec-03-2005, 7:33pm

I thiunk it depends on the scale length of the instrument so as not to put too much strain on the neck. I bought a set of Irish Tenor banjo strings from juststrings.com to try on my tenor. I would imagiene that the gauges are somewhere near to those.

Jim

**jmkatcher** · Dec-03-2005, 7:50pm

Try acoustic guitar strings at 42-32-23-13 for a start. That's how my similar scale OM is strung.

**Eric F.** · Dec-03-2005, 8:06pm

Thanks, folks. The scale length is 23 inches. I'm using D'Addario tenor guitar strings at 32-22-14-10 on it now.

**Ken Sager** · Dec-03-2005, 9:01pm

My 21.5 inch octave mandolin uses 47-34-23-13 tuned GDAE, so for slightly longer scale you could lighten up the gauge a hair and it would work. If you're experimenting I'd start light, and if too light go heavier. The reverse may yield undesired consequences from too much tension.

Good luck, and enjoy!
Ken

**Chris Baird** · Dec-04-2005, 12:40am

Hi Eric, Go with J80s. They are octave strings for a scale length of 22 3/4". Should work fine on your tenor.

**Eric F.** · Dec-04-2005, 10:39am

Thanks!

**RolandTumble** · Dec-05-2005, 3:06pm

The Yahoo group "Tenor Guitar Registry" has a text file in their "Files" section with recommended gauges for several tunings. I think they all assume a 22" scale, but that's without checking....

**Eric F.** · Dec-05-2005, 8:35pm

I'll check it out - thanks. I will need ball end strings, unless someone has a good tip for keeping loop end strings in there.

**Chris Baird** · Dec-05-2005, 9:00pm

Put some old balls in the loop.

**Eric F.** · Dec-05-2005, 9:20pm

Chris, I tried that last night. It was actually kind of comical. I guess my fine motor skills aren't what they used to be! It gave the cat something to do, though. ...

**Chris Baird** · Dec-05-2005, 10:25pm

Usually I can just snap them in with my fingers but sometimes I have to use a fat knitting needle to open the loop up some, a pen or pencil might do the trick as well. Then a little clamp down with some long nose pliers finishes them off.