In that case, you’re better off tuning your lower strings with the guitar tuner and tuning the rest by ear. Fixed tuners are generally intended for guitars only, and they can only register certain pitches. These are 14:1 gear ratio which means for one complete turn of the winding post, you turn the knob 14 times. With the right equipment, experience, and sometimes just a little bit of luck, you’ll be able to get your mandolin sounding great in no time. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Double check your tuning after you’ve tuned the E strings. While you may not be in tune with other instruments in a band, if you’re playing by yourself this can be an adequate solution in a pinch. The same principle makes it a particular challenge for each pair of strings on a mandolin to sound in tune. The look of the old, the reliability of the new. You will always use the seventh fret, since the relationship between each pair of strings is identical on the mandolin. But sometimes no tuner is available, so how can you still make sure your mandolin sounds great? Gotoh UKA ukulele keys (set of 4), with White Pearloid buttons. One of the most popular clip-on tuners around, Snark’s ST-8 has an elegant design and a proven track record for instruments for the mandolin to the trumpet. Then play your D string. Start by playing a D on your G string, at the seventh fret. Luckily, most guitar tuners will recognize a pitch regardless of the octave, so in a pinch a standard guitar tuner will work just fine to get your mandolin in tune. Screws and bushing provided. F-style mandolin keys, Grover, pearloid buttons, 29/32" post spacing, 18:1. Invest in a high-quality tuner. Most mandolinists will be turned away by the price tag of over $80, but electric mandolinists may profit by investing in this classic tuner. Tune in pairs. Find the tuners that correspond to each string. F-style mandolin keys, Gotoh MF40, 29/32" post spacing, with hardware, 14:1. In a worst-case scenario, you might not have anything on which to base your tuning. If you’re looking for a basic, no-frills tuner, the FT-004 won’t do you wrong. But it justifies its exorbitant price by offering the most reliable tuning system for live, electric performance. They’re easy to use, inconspicuous, and affordable. Start from the lowest pitch and move to the highest pitch. If your mandolin sounds lower, tune it a little higher, and vice versa. F-style mandolin keys, 29/32" post spacing, with hardware, 14:1. Since mandolins have shorter strings than guitars, narrowing in on the correct pitch takes finesse – not to mention time. This means you’ll be tuning in a clockwise direction around the mandolin’s head. D’Addario’s NS Micro tuner will neither be seen nor heard – you can even clip it to the back side of the mandolin’s head. If you tune from a higher pitch down to your intended pitch, the string will go out of tune much quicker – and you also risk increasing the tension on your string to the point that it might snap. One is musically gifted with an amazing voice. The worm to gear ratio is 18:1. Most mandolin players will find it simpler to stick with a clip-on tuner, but if you think you’ll also be using a metronome frequently the Korg TM50BK could be a tempting choice. Gotoh UKB ukulele keys (set of 4), Nickel, with Black buttons. Find the tuners that correspond to each string. Most mandolins are not electric, so most likely you will not be plugging your mandolin directly into a tuner. It seems counterintuitive, but our ears amplify even small differences in tuning between two strings to the point that you may find yourself adjusting your tuning after every song. If you’re not an experienced musician, you’ll typically find it far easier to tune your mandolin with the help of a tuner. Pro tip: When you tune your strings, make sure you start from a pitch below the intended tuning and then tune up to your intended pitch. Schaller GrandTune mandolin keys, F-style, reverse wind, Pearloid buttons. Even expensive tuners will not break the bank, and the gulf in quality between the poorest tuners and the best is immense. Unlike Fender, D’Addario is a company that specializes in accessories, and in particular accessories for acoustic instruments. The NS Micro Clip-On Tuner rings in at just over $10, and its balance of features and affordability make it a top contender. These instructions will vary depending on your particular model of guitar tuner, but there are some general principles to keep in mind. F-style mandolin keys, reverse tuning, Gotoh MF40R, 29/32" post spacing14:1. How to Tune a Mandolin with a Guitar Tuner, Mandolin Chromatic Tuners vs. When you use the right kind of mandolin strings, tuning can be a far less-frequent chore. This makes tuning discrete and straightforward, and it’s hard to beat its reliability for the price. Snark’s ST-8 is deservedly popular, offering a sleek aesthetic and improved reliability at an affordable price. If you have a piano, a guitar, or even an app on your phone nearby, you can use them as a reference to tune your G strings. by Consordini Staff Last Updated December 27, 2019. From there, you can tune your other strings using your mandolin alone. Like most instruments, mandolins can be tuned in a variety of ways. 1600 Windsor, California 95492 Toll Free: 1-800-477-4437 International: 707-687-2020 International or Local: 707-687-2020 The TM50BK offers the added bonus of providing metronome capabilities, making it one of the best mandolin tuners you can’t clip on.