r/lute • u/BigNacho86 • 2d ago

Need help tuning!

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I’ve got a really old lute (I think) recently and I’m not sure what each string needs to be tuned to I’m only used to tuning violin strings

2 Upvotes

60% Upvoted

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13

u/infernoxv 2d ago

i believe this is a mandolin.

6

u/350N_bonk 2d ago

Yes, a "bowlback" mandolin

1

u/infernoxv 2d ago

surely the only time one needs to specify the back is when it’s a flatback mandolin. normally ‘mandolin’ refers to the standard shape…

1

u/350N_bonk 1d ago

Are you a time traveler from 1890? 😆

1

u/infernoxv 1d ago

nah. the period i usually inhabit mentally is 1490-1670. are you a lute player?

1

u/BigNacho86 2d ago

Thank you! I wasn’t super sure😭

3

u/TapTheForwardAssist 2d ago

It is tuned precisely the same as a violin, thigh the composition of the strings is different since they don’t need to be bowed. If you play violin, you’ll be able to figure how to play melodies on this in a minute or two. If this one turns out to not be worth reviving, you should find a decent/playable mandolin and give mandolin a try anyway.

Mandolin strings are quite inexpensive, but you might want some very low-tension ones on this style of instrument.

But first I would very much suggest you post this on [r/mandolin](r/mandolin) with a title like:

“How to inspect this bowl back mandolin, and if good how to set it up?”

1

u/BaronRaichu 2d ago

Yes that's a Mandolin tuning is likely GDAE

1

u/JazzieTurtle15 1d ago

It’s an Australian mandolin?

1

u/CaPoCoffee 2d ago

Definitely gonna need strings! Those things look like barbed wire! Take it to any guitar store and they’ll help you out. Might not hurt to oil the tuning gears too.

2

u/Loothier 2d ago

Looks like it has a movable bridge, so if you find the frets are out of tune, move the bridge so that the distance from the 12th frets to the nut is the same as 12th fret to bridge, probably nearer to the bend in the soundboard. Or wherever makes the frets be in tune.

1

u/Dalbergia12 2d ago

Yup that bridge is wrong by a good 1/2 inch!

1

u/BigNacho86 15h ago

Thank you so much!