Hey all!! Just found this area!!!
I have built a 20" scale CBG for my grandson - I want to tune it GDG, that same as what I play. What gauge strings should I be using? I tried 36, 26 and 17 but it sounds wonky. Can anybody point me in the right direction? Thanx
Tags:
Figure it this way: On a full-scale guitar, say with a 24" to 25" scale length, 20" would be about the 5th fret. So, in standard tuning, a full-scale guitar capoed at the 5th fret would be: A-D-G-C-E-A. To get the tuning you want on the 20" instrument, you could go either high or low. For the low tuning, you'd use an E6 (it would be tuned a whole tone flat), and the normal A5 and D4 strings from a set. For the high tuning, you'd use the normal D4, B2, and E1 strings with the B and high E strings tuned flat a whole tone.
When you're down-tuning from normal tension, it's a good idea to go a little heavier on the gauge of the string, to get good volume and tone.
So, for the low tuning, I'd go: .056 (or even .059), .045, .035. (Basically, the E6, A5, and D4 strings from a medium/heavy acoustic set).
For the high tuning, I'd use .045, .026, and .017. The two high strings are what you've already used. Did they sound "wonky", or was it just the low G? If the higher strings sounded wonky, you could go a little heavier on them, maybe .028 and .019 - they are tuned a whole note flat.
Thanx Michael - that's the info I needed - it always seems to be the thick (low) string that loses it's umphh - I've tried 46, 36 and 26 and it's better - but I may keep fiddling around with it .
Are you tuned to the "low" G-octave, or the "high" one? (The low one starts at the G on the 6th string/3rd fret on a full-scale guitar in standard tuning; the high one starts at the pitch of the open 3rd string on the full-scale guitar in standard tuning.)
If it's the low tuning, then 46 is really thin for the low string - I'd use it for the middle string, and go to something more like a 56 or 59 for the low string (that would be the E6 string of a medium/heavy acoustic string set). If it's the high tuning, then the 46 is about right for the low string, but the other two are kind of on the thick side - they must be really tight. But if you can handle the tension, that's great - thicker and tighter is better for tone and volume, provided you don't break strings or kill your fingers (or warp your neck...).
I'm not sure - I want it to sound the same as my 25.5 scale - I'm guessing it's the "low"
"Thicker and Tighter"????? We're still talking about CBG's right!!!
Sorry, couldn't let that one go by!!!
It could sound like your 25.5" scale either high or low, depending on how you tuned the 25.5". If you compare it to a regular 6-string, full-sized guitar, what strings/frets match the pitch of your 25.5"? (That probably should have been the first question to ask...)
""Thicker and Tighter"????? We're still talking about CBG's right!!!" Is THAT what we're talking about!!!
I fiddled around with various string sizes on a 19.1" scale CBG tuned to GDg and have found the most sustain and best tone with .037"w, .023"w, .013" as measured with a dial calliper. It has an electric single coil pickup and the Cohibia cigar box top has one stressed 1/8"x1/4" brace perpendicular to the neck under the bridge. It now has very nice tone. It's amazing for such a short scale.
-- Fred
Started by Randy Drysdale. Last reply by Tim Pannabecker Jan 28, 2019. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by jawbone. Last reply by Uncle Fred Sep 22, 2014. 7 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Cin wel. Last reply by Cin wel May 25, 2013. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Mike Sibinga. Last reply by wormil Jan 12, 2013. 3 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Jillian Holladay. Last reply by wormil Jun 3, 2012. 2 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Martyn Hartley. Last reply by Martyn Hartley Apr 22, 2012. 2 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Penny Nelson. Last reply by Penny Nelson Apr 17, 2012. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Waid Jones. Last reply by Steve wootten Apr 16, 2012. 2 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Matt Quinney. Last reply by Rand Moore Jul 16, 2011. 3 Replies 1 Like
Started by ukeplayer. Last reply by Steve Pollack Mar 20, 2011. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Mama Mojo. Last reply by Mark Mercer Jan 26, 2011. 6 Replies 1 Like
Started by Bob Young. Last reply by Chuck Dubman Jan 23, 2011. 2 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Bob Young. Last reply by DrByte Jul 22, 2010. 3 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Wray. Last reply by Barry Evan Russ Mar 29, 2010. 21 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Alan Roberts. Last reply by Chuck Dubman Mar 27, 2010. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Peter Taylor. Last reply by Pineee Johnny Feb 25, 2010. 3 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Penny Nelson. Last reply by Wichita Sam Jan 3, 2010. 1 Reply 0 Likes
Posted by Vlad on March 31, 2024 at 11:48pm 0 Comments 1 Like
Posted by Vlad on March 6, 2024 at 2:32am 5 Comments 2 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 28, 2024 at 2:09pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 17, 2024 at 11:00pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Vlad on February 11, 2024 at 1:06am 1 Comment 1 Like
© 2024 Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker. Powered by
Cigar Box Nation is presented by C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply, your one-stop-shop for Cigar Box Guitar parts and accessories!