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
Replies
If your only using the low side of the string set & you're already used to the G-D-g type tuning, then drone the lowest or the highest string, that will create the best effect without having to learn new chord shapes? Examples: (lowest-highest)
C-C-G-c or C-G-c-c / D-D-A-d or D-A-d-d / E-E-B-e or E-B-e-e
F-F-C-f or F-C-f-f / G-G-D-g or G-D-g-g / A-A-E-a or A-E-a-a
Hi, hahaha, sure you can do it. Back in the long, long time ago I learnt whole riffs by lifting the needle off the vynal record and placing it back again over, over, over and over again. But Brian's idea is less frustrating.
Taff
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
Hi Taff, this sounds great. Might take me a long while to try to work out the tuning from the strum, but I'll give it a go... nothing like a challenge!
Use a tuner, it will tell you what the general pitch is?
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
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
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?
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.
Hi Timothy, thanks for the reply, I'll gve it a go. Thanks
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