So, I've been thinking that for solo gigs--which in my case are song-oriented--I could use a secondary instrument to supplement my bouzouki, to give the punters a bit of contrast and all that. I've tried tuning both of my mandolins in GDAD, but I don't like the result; song accompaniment wants a longer scale and a bigger body, at least to suit my voice, even though I do have songs that work very well capoed up between the ninth and the twelfth frets.
If I had the money, I'd get a (tenor) mandola and either tune it CGDG or do the Andy Irvine thing by stringing it for FCGC, but I really can't afford even a semi-decent one just now.
And then it hit me that I'm seeing tenor ukuleles (17 inch scale length) for around a hundred bucks which look like fairly decent instruments. I'm well aware that the standard tuning is some wonky gCEA thing, but there are strings for fifths tuning. Somebody told me that the GDAE sets for soprano uke aren't long enough for the tenor scale, but there is a set (Aquila 31u) for tuning a concert to CGDA, or I have to believe there's some way I could use classical guitar strings. I've also thought of tuning a baritone uke to DAEA, the way Andy tunes his 20 inch mandolas, but I have a bad feeling I'd end up needing fishing line for the high A.
So, has anyone done anything like this? Is there a maker whose ukuleles are more up to the job? Or one I should avoid? I've seen an Alvarez going for ~$100 on Musician's Friend that looked decent, and Sam Ash's site has an Ibanez for $109.
That said, I'm planning to go out and see what I can actually try in person, but I've never bought an instrument that I was going to immediately restring for a new tuning. It's a weird feeling. :-)
Thanks so much for any advice!
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