I had a few folks that expressed an interest in buying a CBG from me, but it appears they were intimidated by the 3 string versions, and felt that a 4 string version would be more familiar to them. No amount of explaining would suffice, so I built a couple of 4 stringers.
I was not sure what type of tuning would satisfy these guys. The guy a the music store suggested maybe I should tune them like a mountain dulcimer. I figured I would give it a try, but the strings he gave me are really light and I am not sure I like them.
How could I tune/string a 4 stringer that would satisfy someone who is familiar with a normal 6 string guitar?
The bottom 4 strings? The top 4 strings?
You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!
lol i built a 4 stringer and cant even figure out how to play it . the 4th string just gets in my way . ive tried top 4 bottom 4 and middle 4 . nothing i do . so 4th string got ripped off and now its a nice barritone 3 stringer lol .
GDgd is a good start for 4 stringers. But GDga is very cool too - easy maj and min chords, lots of lovely add2, sus and 6th shapes too - I'd say GDgd for bluesy, GDga for pretty.
The 4 string I just built (my first) I have tuned to open E, like it's the 4 high strings on my dobro or Tele: EG#BE. I don't play a lot of real finger style picking with the thumb bass lines and all. Kudos to those that do though! That's a beast in itself!!! And a good majority of the licks I play with slide are on the high 4 strings anyway, so it just seemed natural to tune to this. Right now I have it strung with 10, 13, 17, 32, but I'm thinking about going a bit thicker with the strings, provided the neck can handle the tension. So I'm basically playing roadhouse style blues on a cbg, not country delta style stuff. Blasphemy to some I imagine!! LOL!!! But the tone is great and the fun level is extremely high! :) Oh, I have electric strings on it as well, since it has a single coil pickup, not acoustic strings.
I'm building a 4 string and have never played one but I don't here much on open E e-g#-b-e on the high strings and e-b-e-g# on the low strings. This is my best 6 string tuning for blue then G for country. What about dobro sets? trial and error.
Witchita Sam already recommened D-A-d-f#, figured i'd second it.
I've found it very easy to play slide, and pick with. I've used light acoustic and light electric strings with great results, it gives a nice heavy sound.
Replies
lol i built a 4 stringer and cant even figure out how to play it . the 4th string just gets in my way . ive tried top 4 bottom 4 and middle 4 . nothing i do . so 4th string got ripped off and now its a nice barritone 3 stringer lol .
GDgd is a good start for 4 stringers. But GDga is very cool too - easy maj and min chords, lots of lovely add2, sus and 6th shapes too - I'd say GDgd for bluesy, GDga for pretty.
http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/Cigarboxtunings?xg_source=activity
heres some tuning info onmy cbg tuning page
The 4 string I just built (my first) I have tuned to open E, like it's the 4 high strings on my dobro or Tele: EG#BE. I don't play a lot of real finger style picking with the thumb bass lines and all. Kudos to those that do though! That's a beast in itself!!! And a good majority of the licks I play with slide are on the high 4 strings anyway, so it just seemed natural to tune to this. Right now I have it strung with 10, 13, 17, 32, but I'm thinking about going a bit thicker with the strings, provided the neck can handle the tension. So I'm basically playing roadhouse style blues on a cbg, not country delta style stuff. Blasphemy to some I imagine!! LOL!!! But the tone is great and the fun level is extremely high! :) Oh, I have electric strings on it as well, since it has a single coil pickup, not acoustic strings.
I started this thread almost 4 years ago, when I didn't know jack. ( Like I know Jack now...???)
Interesting that it is still getting responses.
If you tuned it like a mountain dulcimer you may as well have 3 strings since the high one is just doubled right?
DGbd - link to chord charts
I'm building a 4 string and have never played one but I don't here much on open E e-g#-b-e on the high strings and e-b-e-g# on the low strings. This is my best 6 string tuning for blue then G for country. What about dobro sets? trial and error.
I've found it very easy to play slide, and pick with. I've used light acoustic and light electric strings with great results, it gives a nice heavy sound.
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
-
5
of 5 Next