5-string tenor guitar?

[Mandocarver]

I'm about to start building myself a tenor guitar with a 22 1/2 inch scale. In order to minimise position shifts, I'd like to add a fifth string and tune the instrument GDAEB but I've no idea whether this is feasible at this scale length or whether the high B-string would need to be so fine that it would be likely to snap. Any advice would be appreciated - I tried searching the archives first with no joy.
Cheers,
Dean

[mrmando]

Standard tenor A string is .010" and often is the first string to snap. You might be able to get a .009" up to B but it would indeed be prone to breakage. FCGDA is the more common tuning for 5-string tenors.

[Mandocarver]

Many thanks, Martin. That sounds a lot better idea.

[mrmando]

There are plenty of GDAEB "baritone mandolins" but those tend to have a shorter scale: 19 inches or thereabouts.

[danb]

Here are some photos of a 21" scale resophonic.. I tuned it GDAEA bass to treble

[Big Joe]

You could also try an EADGC tuning. That would be my preference. I love a mandocello and it's bottom C string. This would not be quite a low as that, but could be very cool.

[djweiss]

Paul Lestock (Arrow instruments) is finishing up a 5-string tenor for me with FCGDA...I played a gypsy style prototype of his at Weiser and it works very well!

[rico mando]

i have a 22in five string electric tuned cgdae(a converted short scale fender squire ) but it is about as loose as can be and still be workable for electric on the c (0.50).

[Mandocarver]

Many thanks for all the ideas which have convinced me that it's certainly worth building a 5-stringer and then trying out a few different combinations for the best sound.
Dean

[rico mando]

you could all way buy a 22 in scale acoustic guitar (and return it when your finished experimenting ) and mess with just 5 strings on it .i bought my last guitar for 80 bucks new. that might help you plan your build better , you may want to try a fanned fret option