Laud - how do I string it?

[rctil40]

Hi, on an impulse I bought a Spanish Laud off ebay. It's supposed to be tuned G# C# F# B E A, but I want it more like a octave mandolin/mandola or a DADGAD guitar tuning. The scale length is 48.2 cm and I cant get the existing strings to fit a new tuning. Does anyone have any ideas what king of strings I could use? Thanks

Ritchie

[Jim Broyles]

You could tune it the Cuban way - D A E B F# D. Don't know if the strings will work.

[Tim2723]

Google "string Gauge calculator" There are several available. Enter the applicable data and select strings appropriate for the task. with a little work, anything can be tuned any way.

P.S. be sure to take into consideration any needed modifications to nut and saddle slotting, and also to consider excessive stress on the neck and other structural components when changing gauges.