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4 string tunings

Posted by Colin Trundle on November 26, 2024 at 6:40am in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

Hi, I've just finished building a 4 string CBG, I already have a 3 string tuned to open G. I want to use an open tuning for the 4 string but with the extra string as a bass note. The strings I have are 046, 030, 022 (as I use on my 3 string and I have a spare A  and low E form a standard 6 string.

Can I just add either the A or E string to a standard GDG tuning and if so what would the low string be tuned to or what other tuning options does anyone suggest? I'm mostly into artists such as John Lee Hooker, Robert Johnson, Son House and Seasick Seve.

Does anyone have any suggestions, or am I better off getting different strings?

Thanks

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Replies

  • Taffy Evans November 29, 2024 at 4:47pm

    https://youtu.be/rZ33yOjSsdw.

    Hi I have not built many four-stringers as I found it harder to find tunings. In the clip shared above you may get an idea of the tuning that I found and liked. I can't remember the strings or the tuning I used. So, I'm no help really, unless you can work it out from the first strum prior to the song.

    Taff

  • BrianQ. November 27, 2024 at 11:18am

    Have you heard of Chickenbone John? He has a one stop shop store for everything cbg in the UK? Including strings: https://www.chickenbonejohn.com/collections/zilpha

    Nickel
    • Colin Trundle > BrianQ. November 28, 2024 at 3:48am

      Hi, yes, I've bought bits from him before, didn't think about him for sets of 4 strings, I'll check him out. Thanks

       

  • BrianQ. November 26, 2024 at 1:17pm

    You can add a G or 4th string, that'll give you GDGB or AEAC#? It will give a fuller sound with the smaller string? Usually GDG/AEA tuning is strings 3-4-5 & EBE/DAD is strings 456? 

  • Timothy Hunter November 26, 2024 at 7:50am

    easy answer would be use the E string and tune it  to D . giving you DGdg but i am sure there are a number of tunings i cant think of at the moment. 

    • Colin Trundle > Timothy Hunter November 26, 2024 at 8:29am

      Hi Timothy, thanks for the reply, I'll gve it a go. Thanks

       

      • Blues Frog > Colin Trundle November 26, 2024 at 8:31pm

        Colin,

        C. B. Gitty sells the four string sets for either a DGBD or DGBE tuning .054, .026, .017, & 0.13 string sizes.

        Hope this helps.

        Blues Frog

        • Colin Trundle > Blues Frog November 27, 2024 at 4:53am

          Hi, thanks for the info. I have looked to buy from C.b. Gitty before but I'm in the UK so by the time I add shipping and import taxes on to an order it becomes very expensive (the shipping on a set of strings which cost about $7 is $15 to the UK)

           

          • Blues Frog > Colin Trundle November 27, 2024 at 8:37am

            Yeah I figured it would at least give you some idea of string sizes to use as well as tunings

            • Colin Trundle > Blues Frog November 27, 2024 at 8:51am

              Yes, it does, very helpful, thanks

This reply was deleted.