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Mandolin | Peterson Strobe Tuners
Tuning Mandolin, Octave Mandolin, Mandola, Mandocello & Mandobass
The mandolin family of instruments feature eight strings that are arranged in four identically tuned pairs, so instead of eight notes to tune to, there are only four. Each pair of strings is tuned to the same note and octave, this is called unison tuning. The heaviest gauge pair of strings is tuned to the note G, the neighboring pair to the note D, the next pair to the note A and the lightest gauge pair of strings is tuned to the note E. This results in the eight strings tuned low to high to G-G-D-D-A-A-E-E.

Plucking an individual string tends to cause the second string in the pair to sound as well, which can result in an inconsistent display. To avoid this, a picking technique called the “rest stroke” is used. Using a pick or a plectrum, brush the first string of a pair and allow the pick to come to rest against a second string, therefore sounding the first string and silencing the other. Always remember to tune up to pitch and not down. This prevents the string from retaining tension in the nut to tuning peg and bridge to tailpiece areas.

Mandolin tuning is notoriously challenging, but with an accurate Peterson Strobe Tuner in your gig bag or instrument case, keeping your strings in check is a lot easier. Sam Bush, Ricky Skaggs and other mandolin greats are avid Peterson users, so you’ll be in good company!

  1. Begin with the 1st string that is located closest to the floor when holding the mandolin in the normal playing position. Pluck upwards to sound the string and allow the pick to come to rest against the 2nd, thus muting it. Observe the tuner display and check that the note “E” is displayed. With your left hand, adjust the tuning peg to stop the strobe pattern image from moving continuously in any one direction. Continue to adjust until the strobe pattern is motionless.
  2. Pluck downwards to sound the 2nd string and allow the pick to come to rest against the 1st string. Check that the note “E” is displayed on your tuner. Adjust the tuning peg to stop the strobe pattern from moving.
  3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for the A, D and G string pairs until all strings are tuned.
= Standard Tuning
G4
= G in the 4th octave

Mandolin

I Play This

Octave Mandolin

I Play This

Mandola

I Play This

Mandocello

I Play This

Mandobass

I Play This

G3 G3 D4 D4 A4 A4 E5 E5

G2 G2 D3 D3 A3 A3 E4 E4

C3 C3 G3 G3 D4 D4 A4 A4

C2 C2 G2 G2 D3 D3 A3 A3

E1 A1 D2 G2

G3 G3 D4 D4 A4 A4 D5 D5

G2 G2 D3 D3 A3 A3 D4 D4

D3 D3 A3 A3 E4 E4 A4 A4

G2 G2 D3 D3 A3 A3 D4 D4

C1 G1 D2 A2

A2 A2 D3 D3 A3 A3 D4 D4

D3 D3 A3 A3 E4 E4 B4 B4

G2 G2 D3 D3 G3 G3 D4 D4

A2 A2 E3 E3 A3 A3 E4 E4

G2 G2 D3 D3 A3 A3 D4 D4

D2 D2 G3 G3 D3 D3 G4 G4

Mandolin

I Play This

G3 G3 D4 D4 A4 A4 E5 E5

G3 G3 D4 D4 A4 A4 D5 D5

Octave Mandolin

I Play This

G2 G2 D3 D3 A3 A3 E4 E4

G2 G2 D3 D3 A3 A3 D4 D4

A2 A2 D3 D3 A3 A3 D4 D4

A2 A2 E3 E3 A3 A3 E4 E4

Mandola

I Play This

C3 C3 G3 G3 D4 D4 A4 A4

D3 D3 A3 A3 E4 E4 A4 A4

D3 D3 A3 A3 E4 E4 B4 B4

G2 G2 D3 D3 A3 A3 D4 D4

Mandocello

I Play This

C2 C2 G2 G2 D3 D3 A3 A3

G2 G2 D3 D3 A3 A3 D4 D4

G2 G2 D3 D3 G3 G3 D4 D4

D2 D2 G3 G3 D3 D3 G4 G4

Mandobass

I Play This

E1 A1 D2 G2

C1 G1 D2 A2

Unlike other tuners which offer no alternative to generic Equal Temperament, Peterson Tuners contain many choices of “Sweetness“, in other words, several degrees of harmony or consonance in a tuning preset. The Sweetener feature is exclusive to Peterson Tuners and there is one for almost any musical instrument.
MAN
Peterson Mandolin Family Sweetener
MAN
Peterson Mandolin Family Sweetener
MAN
Peterson Mandolin Family Sweetener
MAN
Peterson Mandolin Family Sweetener
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 The StroboPLUS HDC encompasses decades of tuning authority and technology to deliver the ultimate strobe tuner/metronome combo!

The StroboPLUS HDC’s 0. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

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The StroboPLUS HDC encompasses decades of tuning authority and technology to deliver the ultimate strobe tuner/metronome combo! The StroboPLUS HDC’s 0.1 cent tuning accuracy will tune any instrument with the utmost precision. Featuring a high-definition, multi-color display with variable color LED backlight, the StroboPLUS HDC display can be seen easily across the stage, bench, studio or classroom. Over 200 exclusive Sweetened Tunings® and Guided Tunings on-board accommodate a variety of instruments, temperaments, and musical genres. The highly configurable metronome features precise 0.1 BPM adjustability in eighth notes, quarter notes, dotted quarter notes or half notes, a tempo range of 10-280 BPM, over 100 subdivisions, accent patterns, and polyrhythms. The StroboPLUS HDC can also be used to play thousands of bars of tempo maps, programmable from the Peterson Connect Web App. A single tempo map can play an entire score of meter changes, accent patterns, subdivisions, bar colors, silent bars and gradually curved tempo changes like accelerandos and ritardandos. The StroboPLUS HDC is the perfect tuning, ear training and rhythm tool all in one package!
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Featuring the largest tuning display Peterson Tuners has ever incorporated into one of their pedal tuners, the StroboStomp HD boasts a high-definition, LCD screen that incorporates a variable color LED backlight. The user-selectable colors can be used to personalize the tuner or to increase display viewing quality in different levels of ambient lighting depending on the usage environment. The vibrant screen colors can also be assigned to stock or user presets to significantly reduce menu navigation time and increase on-stage tuning confidence at the gig. For tone purists, the StroboStomp HD provides a 100% silent, true-bypass operation mode to keep precious tone safe, as well as, eliminate the often annoying “pop” experienced when engaging such a feature in other products. It uses a unique series of timed relays incorporated within its circuitry to shunt the signal, draining the cause of the popping sound prior to breaking the connection, and effectively shutting the tuner down for direct play through without affecting tone quality. The StroboStomp HD also includes a long-time, user-requested buffered output operation mode that can be user engaged. The buffered mode can be used in or out of monitor mode. It is designed to boost instrument drive to overcome potential tone loss in signal chains that incorporate multiple low-impedance guitar pedals or those that utilize long cable runs. The buffered output modes preserve sonic quality all through the instrument range and keep prized core tone intact. The StroboStomp HD features over 100 exclusive Sweetened Tunings™, as well as, numbered guided tuning presets for a large variety of instruments and playing styles. Sweetened Tunings are exclusive to Peterson tuning products and are designed to help correct inherent tuning issues exhibited by many instruments. The new "Guided Tunings" mode allows the StroboStomp HD to display numeric string values instead of traditional note names making for sure-fire intuitive and rapid re-tuning to any number of open and alternative tunings. The Guided Tuning mode was instituted for beginners who want to experiment with popular alternate tunings, as well as, experienced players who employ multiple tunings in rapid succession. Numerically expressed scales are also included.
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The Peterson StroboPlus HD (SP-1) is THE premier desktop digital tuner on the market! Equally as comfortable on a tech’s workbench as it is in a player’s guitar case, this tuner, with all of its features, is no exception to Peterson’s reputation for being THE most accurate in the industry — don’t let its demure palm size fool you! Players of both acoustic and electric instruments can rest assured— a built-in electret condenser microphone and ¼” input jack provide excellent connectivity. Gone are the days of having to carry extra batteries and tripping over power cables during a performance! This tuner is rechargeable via computer bus or outlet power, and its large, circular screen is easily viewed in both the darkest and brightest environmental conditions. Features such as Auto Off, easy menu navigation, tripod mounting capability, over 90 of our Sweetened Tunings, tone generation ability via built in speaker, and a headphone output jack round out the package. Finally, future-proof updating and parameter editing is made possible by the tuner’s unobtrusive side-mounted USB jack. And for those feeling exceptionally adventurous, this tuner can be upgraded to also feature our super flexible Body Beat metronome option, along with both audible AND tactile mode operation. Hear the beat or feel it…the power is in your hands. This tuner is fit for the most discerning of players and technicians for sure!
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Make sure to keep the strings in good condition by wiping them down with a cloth after playing and replacing them with new strings when they become old or worn. If you break a string while playing or tuning, it often means that the strings are at the end of their useful life. Old strings will never hold a tuning. Replace all strings at the same time.

For mandolins, mandolas and mandocellos with traditional freestanding or floating bridges, the exact position of the bridge will determine whether the instrument can sound in tune when the strings are fretted. The various thickness or gauge of the strings means that some have a longer or shorts “speaking length” than others, therefore the bridge may need to be angled correspondingly. Some mandolins, such as those in the Gibson style, have compensated bridge saddles to allow for this, while some do not. In any case, the bridge needs to be correctly positioned for the instrument to play in tune.

Using your Peterson Strobe Tuner, check this as follows:

Having tuned the G string pair correctly, pluck one of them while fretting it at the 12th fret. If the fretted tone shows sharp on your tuner, the bridge needs to be moved a slight distance further away from the end of the neck. If the fretted tone shows flat on your tuner, then the bridge needs to be moved a slight distance closer to the end of the neck.

Repeat this procedure with one of the E strings at the other side of the bridge. When both open and fretted tones are in tune in each case, the bridge is in the correct position.

Early 20th century instruments built by the Gibson company, such as the model F5, and in particular, those with labels signed by Gibson’s legendary acoustics expert, Lloyd Loar, are highly prized. They can be heard in the music of Bluegrass legends like Bill Monroe and others.

The Irish Bouzouki or “Zouk” is often heard in relation to mandolin style instruments, it uses similar tuning to Octave Mandolin but with a slightly longer scale length. The string pairs are sometimes tuned in octaves.

Peterson Tuners - Tuning discussion with Sam Bush
Peterson Tuners at IBMA - Sam Bush, Mandolin
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