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FCF tuning

Ok, here's a question that I haven't found any answers for in the knowledge base; I'm interested in trying an FCF tuning. My CGB has a 21" scale length. Any thoughts on what strings I should use? I was thinking I could easily tune a low E string to F, a D string to C, and a G string down to F, but is the best way to go about it? Any suggestions? I have light and medium gauge acoustic strings on because I keep them for my 6 strings.

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Permalink Reply by Korrigan on June 28, 2018 at 10:08am

Keep in mind he has a 21" scale.

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Permalink Reply by Austin K on June 28, 2018 at 11:01am

So what's the correlation between scale length and string gauge ? It would seem to me that with a shorter scale you could use a heavier gauge string but perhaps I am mistaken.

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Permalink Reply by JP Lace Master on June 28, 2018 at 9:38pm

the shorter the scale length, the lighter the string gauge. Look at your standard 4 string bass guitars, they have string gauges for specific scale lengths and it is the same with guitars although to a lesser extent.

Something to do with the reduced length affecting the tension of the string and affecting its ability to remain properly tuned or something to that effect.

I'll give you a recent example, I tried putting a 100 gauge Bass string on a 29 inch scale Diddley Bass, it destroyed the string before it even tuned to D.

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Permalink Reply by Austin K on June 28, 2018 at 9:44pm

Ok, that makes sense. Good thing to keep in mind.

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Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on June 28, 2018 at 10:04pm

Hi Austin, yes you are correct the shorter scale guitars require less tension to bring the string to concert pitch, so heavier gauges can be used or take advantage of a light action.

Taff

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Permalink Reply by Austin K on June 28, 2018 at 10:26pm

Yeah that makes more sense.,I was thinking about what the other guy said and while everyone has their own opinion and experiences heavier gauge on a longer scale doesn't make sense to me. He was referring to bass strings which are a heavier gauge string but require a lot less tension than a guitar string. All I know is I really dig the FCF tuning. It sounds great on a short scale.