Tim Obrien Zouk Tuning

[mmukav]

Anyone know what tuning Tim uses for his zouk? (octave?)
I'm specifically curious about his new CD, Traveler.

[jmcgann]

Last I heard, GDAE with octave pairs on the two lower courses. He may lower the high Es to D at times (?) and maybe use a capo now and again...

[MDW]

John is correct about the tuning which Tim uses on his longer scale Nugget zouk. However, for his shorter scale zouk octave (the one he relies on primarily for Traveler) he uses unison pairs. Here's the scoop from his website:

"Corrado Giacomel, of Genoa, Italy, built this octave mandolin. I call it 'The Turtle.' Corrado makes great guitars and mandolins, as well as these fine octave mandolins. The scale length on this one is 20 inches from nut to bridge saddle. While many octave mandolins have a longer scale, which provides for tighter string tension and more volume, this one compensates by having a greater neck angle. The shorter scale also enables me to use mandolin fingering than I can't use on my other bouzouki/octave mandolins. Unlike my Nugget bouzouki, on which I string the two low pairs of strings in octaves, I string the courses on this instrument in unison."

[mmukav]

Thanks guys, great info! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[mandolman]

I've got his DVD method and the tune of Travelers is explain very well, with solo.... Try it. Homespun tapes video. http://www.homespuntapes.com/prodpg....odType= (http://www.homespuntapes.com/prodpg/prodpg.asp?prodID=1106&prodType=)

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[steve V. johnson]

Also, on his CDs "The Crossing" and "Two Journeys" he must be using The Turtle, because the (great!) OM playing is clearly in unison stringing. Great CDs, both.

stv