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Newbie, just built CBG, having trouble tuning GBg

Posted by RJGRAPH (Eldridge CB Guitars) on September 2, 2013 at 9:06pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

Hi all, I am a newbie. Just finished my first. Pics later. Even though the action seems a little high, I am having trouble getting the low string to G. Broke the first one. The second string tuned right in good to D and the third perfect g. Am I missing something here? Bought the 3-string Acoustic medium low open g from gitty.

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Tags: GDg, tuning
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Replies

  • John Sawyer September 4, 2013 at 7:17pm

    I found my tuner wouldn't recognize low G until I set it to BASS mode...  Broke a string before I figured that out...

    • The Phrygian Kid > John Sawyer September 4, 2013 at 11:38pm
      Electronic tuners will often detect a note an octave higher than what you're actually playing, same as they'll often detect a fifth below (guitar players will be familiar with this happening more frequently down at the bottom end of the instrument. Remember that the string is generating several other harmonics besides the fundamental. An octave higher (twice the frequency) is the strongest, and the tuner has to determine which of the several notes it has detected to display.. (There's also a lot of serious number crunching going on in order for this to happen, see fast Fourier transforms (fft) for more information..)
      I find its often the better instruments which deliver a richer harmonic content and which confuse electronic tuners more than the cheapies...(if that makes you feel any better about it) this happens even on really good tuner units
      • John Sawyer > The Phrygian Kid September 5, 2013 at 1:27pm

        So you're saying that I can take solice in the possibility that my cheaply made first CBG has great harmonics?  :-)  I'll buy that...  Now can I play it?  meh... but I'm having fun learning.  Thanks for the tip!

  • Will King September 3, 2013 at 11:34am

    I just download an on line guitar tuner, attach my clip on tuner and then I can make sure I an in the right octave.  I have found tuners for Guitar, Uke & several CBG tunings. It works good for me.

  • Thomas "Duck" Petry September 3, 2013 at 1:25am

    Most all of my builds have been 25.5" scale with the same strings and I have yet to have a string break. I just start out with enough string tension to make them lay straight and make a twang and then work the tension up to the GBg tuning. What Mr Clock said, you must have been trying for an octave too high.

    • RJGRAPH (Eldridge CB Guitars) > Thomas "Duck" Petry September 3, 2013 at 9:25pm

      Thanks, by the way on a no fretted CBG, what should the action be at the nut and the bridge? Thinking maybe drop it down a bit. It sounds great plugged in or not, just can't get the G. I am using an electronic tuner I use for my guitars. Got the D and the g but not the low G.

  • RJGRAPH (Eldridge CB Guitars) September 2, 2013 at 9:34pm

    Yes the .44 string. Could'nt get it up to G. I have a 25 1/2 Scale. I will try the EBE. I do need to drop the bridge a bit I think it is too high. The piezio pickup works great and it sounds good. Thanks!

    • Slowpaw Steve T > RJGRAPH (Eldridge CB Guitars) September 3, 2013 at 1:43am

      .44 gauge is way too thick for that tuning really even in the correct octave - try the middle 4 strings from a set of six (9's or 10's), i.e. .36, 26, 17, (13)   (-:

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