Hi all
I have previously built 3 string cbg's but fancy building a 4 string I have a few questions
1 I have 1 1/2inch wide stock oak I have been using for necks will this still work for 4 strings?
2 any help on string gauges to use appreciated.
3 advice on tuning appreciated all my 3 strings are tuned to GDG.
These questions may seem strange but I am a builder not a player and I pass instruments on to others who can play so I don't really have knowledge of what works for a 4 string
Any help much appreciated
Thanks
Cliff
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I have to echo what both Bluesheart and David McQueen replied to your questions. The 1 1/2" wide oak will be fine. As for tuning and string gauges I've used several different combinations. One example is the high four strings from a set of 11's for electric guitar (28-18-14-11) tuned dgbd. Another is the middle four strings from a set of 9's (36-26-17-13) tuned gdgb. The most recent 4-string I've built (finished 1-2-16, picture below) has a mishmash set from some loose strings I had on hand (36-26-18-16) tuned gdgb. Try a few and see what you like.
My last build uses a 4-string hard tail bridge from CBGitty (I had to drill holes in the back of the plate to make it a top loader). I just measured the spacing between the string saddles at the bridge and found it to be 27/64", if that helps you with your design. That only leaves about 1/8" between the outer strings and the edge of the fretboard, but I haven't had any trouble playing it.
I can't tell you what is best, but I can tell you what I do.
1. I put the strings 3/8" apart.
2. Normally I just use the 1 1/2" neck width as it is. This summer I had some under dimension wood - 1 3/8". I squeezed the four strings in. It is the nicest feel of anything I have built. Note, I have small hands.
3. I use d'Addario XL Regular Light Gauge electric guitar strings. I have used various acoustic, acoustic/classical hybrid and electric strings. I find that I like these. I use the middle four strings. So,the high and low E are not used. The guages are 13 17 26 and 36.
4. Tuning used is GDGB. So it is the same as a standard guitar except the A string is tuned down to G.
The neck width will work fine, just reduce string to string distance so they fit and have a comfortable distance from the edge of the fingerboard. AS for tuning? Lots of options. If you use the 4,3,2,1 strings from a 6 string and tune them dgbe, you have baritone uke tuning, or standard guitar tuning less 2 strings. I have tried this thinking it would be "easy" to play since you can use guitar chords you already know. I find it is really kind of hard instead. BUT , if I drop the the e to d then have dgbd, that is a nice open tuning and works well with slide playing, blues etc. Maybe it is just me but every time a make a 4 stringer, it makes me realize why I like 3 stringers so much! Just depends on playing skill level I suppose.
Hope you don't mind me replying to your reply to Cliff, and Cliff I hope this isn't rude or seen as taking over your post, but I find your comment really helpful too. I'm on day one of perhaps 2 or 3 days total build of a 4-string myself. I think I'll try your DGBd suggestion with the 4, 3, 2, 1 strings. I like playing blues, or trying to, and slide is my passion of late, so your suggestion should work going by what you added elsewhere in your comment.
Thanks very much and thank you Cliff for starting this discussion. Much appreciated, both of you.
Replies
I asked some of the same questions and received some really good answers... http://www.cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/any-pointers-on-a-4-stri...
Jim thanks for the link to your post I have read through that this morning lots of great information there also.
Thanks again everyone your brilliant posts are much appreciated
Cliff
The most common tuning and string sets from Gitty are Strings
They are .034, .026, .017, .013
Tuned to open G (D G B D)
That would be a good starting point.
The 1 1/2" neck will be wide enough.
Hi Cliff,
I have to echo what both Bluesheart and David McQueen replied to your questions. The 1 1/2" wide oak will be fine. As for tuning and string gauges I've used several different combinations. One example is the high four strings from a set of 11's for electric guitar (28-18-14-11) tuned dgbd. Another is the middle four strings from a set of 9's (36-26-17-13) tuned gdgb. The most recent 4-string I've built (finished 1-2-16, picture below) has a mishmash set from some loose strings I had on hand (36-26-18-16) tuned gdgb. Try a few and see what you like.
My last build uses a 4-string hard tail bridge from CBGitty (I had to drill holes in the back of the plate to make it a top loader). I just measured the spacing between the string saddles at the bridge and found it to be 27/64", if that helps you with your design. That only leaves about 1/8" between the outer strings and the edge of the fretboard, but I haven't had any trouble playing it.
1. I put the strings 3/8" apart.
2. Normally I just use the 1 1/2" neck width as it is. This summer I had some under dimension wood - 1 3/8". I squeezed the four strings in. It is the nicest feel of anything I have built. Note, I have small hands.
3. I use d'Addario XL Regular Light Gauge electric guitar strings. I have used various acoustic, acoustic/classical hybrid and electric strings. I find that I like these. I use the middle four strings. So,the high and low E are not used. The guages are 13 17 26 and 36.
4. Tuning used is GDGB. So it is the same as a standard guitar except the A string is tuned down to G.
Hope this helps.
The neck width will work fine, just reduce string to string distance so they fit and have a comfortable distance from the edge of the fingerboard. AS for tuning? Lots of options. If you use the 4,3,2,1 strings from a 6 string and tune them dgbe, you have baritone uke tuning, or standard guitar tuning less 2 strings. I have tried this thinking it would be "easy" to play since you can use guitar chords you already know. I find it is really kind of hard instead. BUT , if I drop the the e to d then have dgbd, that is a nice open tuning and works well with slide playing, blues etc. Maybe it is just me but every time a make a 4 stringer, it makes me realize why I like 3 stringers so much! Just depends on playing skill level I suppose.
Hi, Bluesheart.
Hope you don't mind me replying to your reply to Cliff, and Cliff I hope this isn't rude or seen as taking over your post, but I find your comment really helpful too. I'm on day one of perhaps 2 or 3 days total build of a 4-string myself. I think I'll try your DGBd suggestion with the 4, 3, 2, 1 strings. I like playing blues, or trying to, and slide is my passion of late, so your suggestion should work going by what you added elsewhere in your comment.
Thanks very much and thank you Cliff for starting this discussion. Much appreciated, both of you.
Dani :)