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EBE Tuning ???

Posted by Dave Hall on February 26, 2012 at 12:01pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

I am knocking up a 3 string fretless for a mate of mine.

He said he would like it in open E tuning -- EBE I presume.

I have done a search on the site, as to what strings I should use.

And I am still confused.

Without getting too technical, could someone explain what are the

best strings to use.

I think he likes it a bit "Bassie".

Thanks for your help "Confused.com !!!"

Dave

 

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Replies

  • The Phrygian Kid February 27, 2012 at 11:05am
    Another advantage to using all the wound strings from a set is you still got three consecutive strings to use on another too, I used to do this a lot in my three stringer days..
    Also if any of u lot ever seen any of my three pair jobbies, I do those with a regular set of guitar strings 10-46 for g and 12-52 for d or e
    • Bad Finger (Eric) > The Phrygian Kid February 27, 2012 at 11:46am

      Precisely why this one is EBE with 6, 5, 4.  My first guitar was also EBE but with 3,2,1.

      We get the ebbie ebbies when we get them both together.  :P

  • Bad Finger (Eric) February 27, 2012 at 10:15am

    I used a 1 1/2" wide x 1" thick oak neck, strings 6,5,4 from a medium acoustic pack and tuned EBE.  The scale length is the same as my Fender Acoustic somewhere between 24" and 25".  The guitar has been tuned like this for over a year and no visible change in the neck.  There is no laminated finger board.  I just burned the fret lines into the neck with a soldering iron.

    153276727?profile=original

    It also holds its tuning for a long damn time without need for adjustment.

    Hope that helps.

  • Keni Lee Burgess February 27, 2012 at 9:08am

    Yes, scale length is definitely a consideration. Even on a standard 6 string with a truss rod, I would not advise leaving a guitar tuned up above standard. Due to the fact there is no standard in regards to any of the CBG's dimensions, approaching a tuning in a relative way might be a good consideration. If you are not overly concerned with the key, experimenting could easily lead to the guitar playing at it's best. For example: If you use strings EAD start by tuning CGC...C#G#C#...DAD...D#A#D#...EBE...Simply moving up in pitch using tones 151 from the major scale.

    If the strings are too tight or too loose the sound board will not vibrate correctly.

    You may discover in this way, what string tension functions best.

    Enjoy, Keni Lee   

  • Dave Hall February 26, 2012 at 8:19pm

    Cheers Jason,

    I think light gauge is the way to go

    Dave

  • jason fitzgibbons February 26, 2012 at 8:11pm

    just finished two three stringers, one with a maple neck with an oak fretboard, and one mahogany neck with poplar fretboard.  both are tuned ebe with the three thickest strings from a light gauge set.  the both hold great and sound good. oh and one scale is 24, and one is 24.25.  i will post pics and vids soon

  • Dave Hall February 26, 2012 at 7:11pm

    In repy to Keni's comment.

    It will be a through neck made fron 2"x1" Beech.

    Hopfully that will be strong enough.

    I have used 4-5-6 strings tuned to open G on another guitar,

    that had an Oak neck with no problems.

    So hopefully this will be OK.

    Dave

  • The Phrygian Kid February 26, 2012 at 4:56pm
    No one asking about ur scale length..
    Interesting...
    Impossible tO answer without knowing the length of your strings.

    Ps using lighter strings is a double edged thing, heavier sounds better.
    Ps2 I never seen a three string that needed a truss rod ever
    I do a 600mm scale length and have no trouble cranking a low e string up to g
  • Ron "Oily" Sprague February 26, 2012 at 2:28pm
    See? Keni kicks in with a better way! Thanks, man!
  • Keni Lee Burgess February 26, 2012 at 2:18pm

    Hey Dave,

    Just be careful with those higher tunings. Hopefully the neck is thick or better yet contains a truss rod.

    EBE puts a lot of stress on a neck. 

    Tuning DAD and using a capo on fret 2 is a lot better. Same standard strings EAD (tune down).

    I prefer using strings AGD and tuning down to GDG. Although of course, this puts me in the key of G.

    Enjoy, Keni Lee  

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