Putting a 5th string on the saga e-mando kit

[Austin Koerner]

I was wonder if I could put a fifth string on the four string Saga electric mandolin kit, if I buy a new nut and proper hardware. If not, are there any five string emando kits?

[mythicfish]

Sure it's do-able. But the "problem" - as I understand it - is that the standard 13 7/8" scale length is less than suitable for the C string.
Some say that there will be intonation problems as well as less than desireable tone.
That's just what I've heard ... but I think it's worthy of further examination.

[mandroid]

I use a standard scale on a 4 string , it's OK
I drop the E for like a .050" C, on the low end.
5 in space made for 4 would seem crowded.
unless the fingerboard is rather wide.
measure and see.

[Austin Koerner]

Thanks, I haven't bought one yet, so we'll see what happens

[Joel Glassman]

A scale of 13 7/8 is too short. Mandola scale is 17".
You can cheat to something a little bit less than 17".
I don't think its worth the time & effort on the Saga.
The result will be a very fat C string with a much louder
bassy tone, and a 'woozy' and 'warbly' sound.