Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mark Werner on August 25, 2010 at 1:25pm

Good question. I tend to prefer 4-strings, but then I'm an experienced guitarist. Been playing since the 70s.

Three-bangers have a certain "purity", and lots of guys make really great music with 'em.

Why not do one of each? C'mon, you know you will.....

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Permalink Reply by Josh Gayou (SmokehouseGuitars) on August 25, 2010 at 2:04pm

Make a four string. You can always take one of the strings off and play as a 3 to figure out which feels best to you.

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Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on August 25, 2010 at 2:40pm

I mainly play in open tunings. For example, my 6 string is tuned open G (DGDgbd).
I tune my 3 string GDG (strings 543 of the 6 string) It works really well as a bass instrument or a simple rhythm and lead guitar.
See below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMdRMFN_5Ck
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGX3bWHSHt0
I tune my 4 string Dgbd (strings 4321 of the 6 string) It works well as a tenor guitar. Also great for playing chords. See below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLGnnF-TIbY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB6vm3jtRLk

If you understand this approach, you can apply this knowledge to play banjo (gDgbd) uke, or mandolin.
Please feel free to write if you have any questions. Enjoy.

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Permalink Reply by Josh Gayou (SmokehouseGuitars) on August 25, 2010 at 4:38pm

Suck up every bit of info from Keni Lee that you can. He is a masterful teacher.

Keni Lee Burgess said:

I mainly play in open tunings. For example, my 6 string is tuned open G (DGDgbd).
I tune my 3 string GDG (strings 543 of the 6 string) It works really well as a bass instrument or a simple rhythm and lead guitar.
See below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMdRMFN_5Ck
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGX3bWHSHt0
I tune my 4 string Dgbd (strings 4321 of the 6 string) It works well as a tenor guitar. Also great for playing chords. See below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLGnnF-TIbY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB6vm3jtRLk

If you understand this approach, you can apply this knowledge to play banjo (gDgbd) uke, or mandolin.
Please feel free to write if you have any questions. Enjoy.

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Permalink Reply by otis on August 26, 2010 at 2:13am

im with keni, ive watched alot of his videos and they have helped immensely!

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on August 26, 2010 at 4:17am

Hi Lee,
A four string with frets has much in common with a 6 string. A 3 string is a different animal, especially if it is unfretted. The answer is clear. You need one of each.

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Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on August 26, 2010 at 5:52am

Yes, it is nice to have one of each. Not only are you exploring the two parts that make up the full 6 string tuning, but if you have the opportunity to use them in a duet with a partner, they sound great together. From a song arranging point of view, you will both be forced to explore and play totally different ideas. If you make a banjo too (5 string - gDgbd) then it is just like your 4 string, but you can experiment with adding that high g drone string. This concept can be extended to uke and mandolin too, adding the unique sound qualities found in these instruments to your sound. Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUPOzfzuocs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbSFDMHgDL4

Uncle John said:

Hi Lee,
A four string with frets has much in common with a 6 string. A 3 string is a different animal, especially if it is unfretted. The answer is clear. You need one of each.

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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on August 26, 2010 at 5:55am

I personally prefer 3 strings, 3 notes is all you need for a chord, and for slide work they are really good, just using the top 3 notes of a regular open G or open D tuning, very easy to transfer from playing 6 string open-tuned slide stuff. I found 4 strings a bit awkward to get a tuning that I like (but that's just me), unless you go for the tenor banjo/guitar tunings for fretted playing.

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Permalink Reply by Bluzmann on August 27, 2010 at 12:56pm

Thank you for the input. I will build a 3 and 4 sting guitar and I ordered Keni Lee's CD 4 and 5 so I can learn to play the instruments.

However, even if I can't play them, they are fun to make.

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