Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi guys.
I decided to restring my Rick mandolin which is currently strung the traditional mandolin way (E-A-D-G).
I thought about stringing it as an octave guitar because I don't really like the odd chords shapes I need to do...
Well, instead of just stringing it as an octave guitar - I thought about stringing it as an octave 12 stringer! (without the top 2 strings - but with all strings in octaves). Is that possible?
Is it even possible to have a 007 or 008 string tuned so high so it would be an octave above the 010 E of the mandolin?
If not - I guess I'll just have the E and B strings in regular pairs (like the normal 12 strings) and the G and D in octave... But I just thought it would be REALLY nice to have such a high note...

I can't imagine going an octave higher on the e string. I'm always afraid the e string is going to snap when I tune it to pitch. Why not try an octave lower on that e. Or leave it in unison like the high strings on a 12 string.

You'll need a new nut and saddles. I'd gladly buy your mandolin if a mandolin isn't what you want.

I would not recommend that, Gil, for several reasons, including those mentioned here. With less time than you may expect, you'll master G, C, D, and Em. And the Stonehenge solo from Spinal Tap is pretty easy to learn in D. I thought I'd never be able to play mine at all, but I've gotten pretty good at fooling people in just a few short months.

gibsonlp wrote:Is it even possible to have a 007 or 008 string tuned so high so it would be an octave above the 010 E of the mandolin?

A .007 will usually break just about B flat above high E, maybe a tad higher depending on the alloy. That's why the B string on a 12 string guitar also uses a unison string. Sometimes you can get at .007 banjo string to hang in there but it's a matter of string selection as you're on the outer limit there.

johnhall wrote:

gibsonlp wrote:Is it even possible to have a 007 or 008 string tuned so high so it would be an octave above the 010 E of the mandolin?

A .007 will usually break just about B flat above high E, maybe a tad higher depending on the alloy. That's why the B string on a 12 string guitar also uses a unison string. Sometimes you can get at .007 banjo string to hang in there but it's a matter of string selection as you're on the outer limit there.

I tried it once (on a 12 string), with a .007. Forget it. I broke two in a row.

By the way, on the mandolin stringing, you do mean G-D-A-E, right?

Thanks guys.
Kenny - depends on the direction you are looking at them -
E (lightest) A D G (thickest).

I guess I'll just go on the 2 upper strings in octaves then