lower four of five strings on normal sized Emando?

[Tom Sailor]

Hi folks,
I wonder wheather it's possible to put the lower four strings of an emando five string set on a 4-string like Mandocaster...? I'll test this somewhen the next weeks!
I don't like to play on the E string but I love the deep tones. So my thaught was a five-string Emando has the same length as a normal 4 string and I can take the lower four dropping the E string...

As I play Jazz I tune my mandolin one tone deeper (I did so first with my E-fiddle) so my Jazz tuning is F-C-G-D which allows me to play Bb instrument sheets...
If I do the same with the C string I have Bb-F-C-G which allows me to play Eb instrument sheets

But I don't know how the C string (0.46) will treat on this tuning...

Tom

[rico mando]

the c string will be a lot loose if you tune it down . many here have done what your suggesting but they tune cgda up to daeb

[Tom Wright]

I find CGDA an excellent tuning for jazz.

Johnny Gimble was known for this modification. I've considered it for my Weber, but it would require a different bridge compensation. You should be able to handle it on the Mandocaster. The C is a little clunky, but getting the right gauge and type (I like stainless steel wound .056) will help.

[Ed Goist]

Won't the nut need to be re-cut to accommodate the higher gauges required for the mandola tuning on the mandolin scale?

[rico mando]

Won't the nut need to be re-cut to accommodate the higher gauges required for the mandola tuning on the mandolin scale?

eventually , but you can play around a little to see how it feels before filing