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D Minor open tune

Posted by Mel Cooke on February 15, 2022 at 8:43pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

My friend would like a 3 string fretless CBG that is tuned to open D Minor.

Not being a musician and being a relative newby to building 3 string fretless CBGs, I said "I have no clue how to do that".

So, here i am.

Is there such a thing? What strings would I use?

Thanks in advance,

Mel

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Replies

  • Paul Craig March 16, 2022 at 6:08pm

    Piano Chord for Dm is D-F-A, so a 3 string using D-G-B strings would just tune the G & B strings down to F & A to get D-F-A.

  • Rich G March 7, 2022 at 1:32pm
    Dm 1-3b-5 = D-F-A
    Fretless Slide = a little more tension check Google for string tension chart and decide what octave you want or how much base. (typically dgb of heavy 6 string if we're talking steel electric vs. acoustic phosphor bronze)
    Strings depending on scale will be pulled from a set or you can find individual strings in many places. sometimes I use mbg guitars. ( disclaimer I'm a newbie)
  • Bill Saunders February 16, 2022 at 3:58pm

    Mel, I've used these strings tuned DGB, but CB Gitty sells as DF#A. Maybe downtune the F# to F. unsure if the gauges give the string tension you're looking for. There's nickel wound for electric and bronze for acoustic
    Electric "Medium" 3-String Cigar Box Guitar Strings - Open D - D F# A
    SKU:34-011-01UPC:608866408734MPN:34-011-01
    $4.49
    #1 - .030" Nickel Wound
    #2 - .022" Nickel Wound
    #3 - .014" Plain Steel

    Acoustic Medium 3-String Cigar Box Guitar Strings - Open D Tuning - D F# A
    SKU:34-002-01UPC:610074051398MPN:34-002-01
    On Sale
    NOW:
    $2.99
    #1 - .034" Bronze Wound
    #2 - .026" Bronze Wound
    #3 - .017" Plain Steel

    Regards,
    Bill

  • Mel Cooke February 16, 2022 at 12:19pm

    Korrigan, thanks for this info. Much appreciated.

    I was just looking on CB Gitty and don't see a set of strings with those parameters. Do you have a source for a set like this?

    • Korrigan > Mel Cooke February 16, 2022 at 2:22pm

      Visit your local music store and check out their selection of single strings or you can order single strings online from places like JustStrings or StringJoy.

  • Mel Cooke February 16, 2022 at 1:38am

    25" scale played with a slide

    Thanks!

    • Korrigan > Mel Cooke February 16, 2022 at 11:22am

      Playing with slide you're going to want more tension than you'd get just using the A D and G of a standard guitar set. For low tuning (A2 D3 F3) use 42 30 26 or, for high tuning (A3 D4 F4), use 20w(or 19p) 14 12. These will give you about 25lbs of tension per string.

  • BrianQ. February 16, 2022 at 1:38am

    Mel, type your reply as usual, then click on the HTML Editor, then click Add Reply. Your reply should go through, this method has been foolproof for me ever since the glitch started? Use the  method with posting pics too? Cheers 

  • BrianQ. February 16, 2022 at 1:28am

    Mel, do this every time you post, our site is old, glitchy & temperamental  :)

    10110014864?profile=RESIZE_710x

  • BrianQ. February 16, 2022 at 1:24am

    I’ve done that ADF tuning before using a 23” & 25” scale with the A(5) D(4) G(3) strings from a D’addario EXL110 nickel wound set, with much success? A 4 stringer captures more gloom of the minor sound, especially on a tenor guitar? Good luck on this

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