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4 String DBGE tuning options

Posted by The Big One on July 20, 2017 at 10:13pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

Hi all,

I have my CBG tuned in DGBE tuning, since I know the ukulele and don't want to re-learn all my chords at this time.  However I sort of want to get some more low end response to the sound, and am thinking of dropping the D or G (or both) strings one octave.  Have anyone here done that before?  Curious as to what you thought about it.

I currently have the G string tuned to G2 using the low E string from a light acoustic string pack (I tried tuning D to D2 with the same string, but it was too sloppy - I have a 24" scale length on this one).  I do like the low end, but it feels a bit weird having the D string higher than the G.  I am thinking that if I buy a medium or even medium/heavy acoustic string set I could use the thicker low E string to get a decent low D, even with the shorter scale length, and still have enough tension.

Any thoughts / suggestions / alternatives?

(I have searched for this on the forum, but wasn't sure what it is called, so didn't have much luck).

Thanks!

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Replies

  • The Big One July 21, 2017 at 2:59pm

    Thanks!

    I checked out that string calculator, and it tells me that something in the neighborhood of a 0.054" string should get me reasonable tension... with my current string I am probably sitting around 12lbs, and by moving to a 54 I would be closer to 19 or 20.  I think it's worth a shot...

    Cheers

  • Ron "Oily" Sprague July 21, 2017 at 9:00am
    On another thread, "rescue!" Jamie built hisself a git using a standard 6-string guitar neck, 25.5" scale, but used light bass strings to get that low tone, as he sings and plays bass in his band. This might be a way to get what you're looking for on the low end, without dropped dropped D. I need to look into this myself on one of my other gits...

    "I used ultra light bass strings. - Ernie Ball Nickel Roundwound Slinky 6 String 20-30-42-54-74-90 Bass String, from Amazon."
  • darryl kernaghan July 21, 2017 at 1:21am

    Maybe a string calculator will help you out here, i've linked one, but there are many----https://wahiduddin.net/calc/calc_guitar_string.htm

This reply was deleted.