Retuning a ukulele to mandolin tuning, GDAE, is not a new idea. However, the availability of an all plastic ukulele and restringing it like a mandolin can make a useful ultralight and durable backpacking and camping friend.
The Makala Waterman Ukulele Series by Kala was inspired by the 1950 Maccaferri ukulele and was created with a focus for the outdoor enthusiast. This soprano sized ukulele is made out of a high-grade polycarbonate construction with nickel-plated open gear tuners and, therefore, it is water resistant and highly affordable at <$60 (Amazon). By replacing the strings using Aquila 30U Ukulele SOPRANO (Amazon) which are designed for Violin/Mandolin Fifths Tuning - GDAE (w/ wound G-string), one can have an instrument that can be played like a mandolin.
OK, there are only four strings as compared to 8 on a mandolin and the fret spacing is a little different and the string separation is larger and the tone is poorer with a plastic resonance chamber and it is not loud and, and, and it isn’t a real mandolin. With all these deficiencies, one would ask, why bother???? However, with a little practice and a camp fire at your feet, you can make wonderful music in the woods and not worry about your instrument in the rain or its weight on your back. My wife plays real Ukulele (GCEA tuning) and we have a grand old time playing our Watermans together. A final note, the “E” string supplied in this Aquila 30U set is a little thin and can easily break but you can replace this string using 25 Lb test nylon fishing line.
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