GDAE tuning

[Steve Ostrander]

This has probably been discussed before, but I did a search and nothing came up. I'm thinking about getting a Blueridge tenor guitar. Can I easily tune it to GDAE like my mandolin and OM? Or does it require a certain scale length or strings or....?

[fox]

Yep easy Steve, 13 20w 30w 46w ... sounds fantastic :)

[Gary Leonard]

Might need to tweak the nut a bit for the larger gage strings, but it should be good to go. My Blueridge tenor is set to GDAE, sounds sweet.

[RussianDragon]

The string gauges fox recommended should work fine, but there are some other options here, under "Octave Mandolin" GDAE tuning: http://rycooder.nl/pages/tenor_gauges.htm

[Jim Gallaher]

I have a Blueridge tenor that I set to GDAE. To enlarge the nut slots for larger gauge strings, I used a welding tip cleaner instead of investing in slot files. You can find the tip cleaners at home improvement/hardware stores, usually 5-10 bucks.

The tip cleaners come in a set with various gauge stiff abrasive wires.

[whatitis]

Some great info here.
http://antebelluminstruments.blogspot.com/2012/03/gauges-alternate-tenor-guitar-tenor.html

[Jacob]

I like this John Pearse set for GDAE (http://www.juststrings.com/jps-450l.html). (nfi.)

[PiousDevil]

Ditto on the John Pearse strings and widening the top couple of slots at the nut. I just hit it a couple of passes with a nail file, probably not optimal.

[Mteresko]

I've got my 0-17T in GDAE using 42-28-18-12 Mangan 8020 Bronze strings, and it sounds great. Didn't need to modify the nut. Curt Mangan strings are my favorite, and he sells individual strings so you can make up your own set.