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Newbie questions reg. tuning for a 4 string

Posted by Eric Johnson on March 7, 2010 at 6:01pm in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts
I finished up my first CBG this weekend (only took 3 months of on-and-off work!).  I definitely made some rookie mistakes, including with the box, so switched to another cigar box mid-build.  Luckily that was before I notched the neck so it all worked out okay.  I built a 4-stringer from a kit that I got from Back Porch Mojo.

I have strung it, but am not sure about tuning.  Seems like 3-string is a lot more common.  The strings that came in my kit are .013, .017, .026, and .035.  I started out tuning it like a 6-string, E A D G, and then have tried a couple tunings I found in the forums, like D F# A D.  One question, does this notation mean the top (thickest) string is D, then next thickest is F#, or the other way around?

I have noticed quite a bit of buzz when fretting on the nut-side of the neck, so suspect that I may have notched the nut a bit too much and the action is too low.  I tried raising the bridge a bit and that didn't help a whole lot, so expect I need to re-do the notches on the nut.

I put some pictures of it up on my page, I am pretty happy with how it turned out, other than I mounted the tuners too close to the nut, so I had to wind the outside strings the opposite direction or they wouldn't stay in the nut-groove, plus two of the screws that hold the tuners are not in the best location.  At least I know a bit more what to do when I build my next one ! :)

Any thoughts are welcome, especially on tuning.
Thanks,
Eric

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Replies

  • Tim Latham March 15, 2010 at 9:46pm
    Now this makes sense. I believe it will also take care of my kind of guitar playing. I’m just learning and there are some really good folks here that really know music. I never realized how complicated it could be. Now that I have built mine, it is exciting trying the different sounds that I have made come out of it. It is really fun playing around and choosing the special sound that I’m looking for. This Tuning blog has really been good gents. Thanks.
    Also, thanks for all those who are willing to share all the knowledge and the shortcuts.
    SURE IS FUN!


    Tom Lanford said:
    I always use a standard set of strings and just leave off both of the E strings (high & low) - Then I tune the guitar normally (A-D-G-B). This allows for standard playing and chords (just leaving the two E strings out of the mix) and by simply dropping the low A string down to a G, you can then have an open G chord for slide and such. I like it because it's easy to do and easy to play along with others. Also, you're just one string adjustment away from standard tuning to an open tuning at any time. I've also found that a standard Mandolin capo is handy for changing the above tunings in a flash. Hope this helps.
  • MichaelS Country Boy Guitars March 14, 2010 at 11:49am
    Eric, I don't have much help on the tuning, but it sounds like you got alot of good advise. I checked out your pics and it looks good, just 2 tips. The bridge needs to be twisted to the opposite angel for correct, or close to correct intonation, youv'e got it backwards, no problem an easy fix. You can do a search on how intonation works, I can't explain it. Second tip. I can't tell how much angle the strings have at the headstock but you can add string trees behind the nut to hold them down more, then they wont pull out of the nut groves. Look at other pics to see how this works, also check out Fender strat or tele pics, they use them too.
  • Tom Lanford March 14, 2010 at 11:30am
    I always use a standard set of strings and just leave off both of the E strings (high & low) - Then I tune the guitar normally (A-D-G-B). This allows for standard playing and chords (just leaving the two E strings out of the mix) and by simply dropping the low A string down to a G, you can then have an open G chord for slide and such. I like it because it's easy to do and easy to play along with others. Also, you're just one string adjustment away from standard tuning to an open tuning at any time. I've also found that a standard Mandolin capo is handy for changing the above tunings in a flash. Hope this helps.
  • Wichita Sam March 14, 2010 at 9:13am
    PHssst! Hey kid, want some cool tunings? I'll give you a sample for free, but the rest will cost you.... (quote from the corner chord pusher)....hahahahahahahaha

    jim said:
    Would you all really like some cool tunings for the skinny little 4 strings? Let me know. Ill set ya up!
  • jim March 14, 2010 at 3:42am
    Would you all really like some cool tunings for the skinny little 4 strings? Let me know. Ill set ya up!
  • Tim Latham March 13, 2010 at 5:41pm
    Don't feel bad about breaking strings. I have broken my share for sure. The missis was beginning to wander about my new guitar. I'm just learning guitar stuff and have not figured it out myself. I will say this string of discussion has simplified or at leat started to bring the string/tuning thing together myself. Thanks all for simpelifying it!

    I bought the "Dean Markley Lite Guage" at the Guitar Center, only $2.47 at the time. I think I have been going to high on the strings and this board cleared up a lot. Thanks again.


    Eric Johnson said:
    Well, I just (rather foolishly I guess) tried to tune to EBEG#, and the 2nd fattest string (.026) snapped. Argh. Guess I will head to the music store in the next day or so. Not sure exactly what to buy, will check out the String Gauge Calculator website first. Any particular brands that are recommended? Note, I have a Guitar Center nearby, so will probably be shopping there.
  • Eric Johnson March 13, 2010 at 5:13pm
    Well, I just (rather foolishly I guess) tried to tune to EBEG#, and the 2nd fattest string (.026) snapped. Argh. Guess I will head to the music store in the next day or so. Not sure exactly what to buy, will check out the String Gauge Calculator website first. Any particular brands that are recommended? Note, I have a Guitar Center nearby, so will probably be shopping there.
  • Raymond L March 9, 2010 at 9:46pm
    Eric,
    I have my 4 string tuned from the top (thickest string) down to the bottom ( thinnest string).
    E, B, E G#
    This is an open E tunning.
    This tuning is good for "power" cords, E,A,D, strum an open E (1), slide down to A (4), slide down to D (5).
    With the 1,4,5 combination and mixing them up....you can play hundreds of songs.
  • Eric Johnson March 9, 2010 at 11:38am
    Thanks everyone for the advice and such. I tuned it up for Dgbd, and though I still have some work to do to get the intonation correct, it sounds pretty good. The issue with the strings buzzing when fretting near the nut appears to be gone, I suspect I was tuned too low, not enough tension in the strings. Are you supposed to be able to slide a quarter between the strings and the neck, or between the strings and the frets? I can slide a quarter between the strings and the neck, so I'm hoping that is correct and that my nut height is okay.

    Without a truss rod, is stress on the neck likely to be a problem? I remember reading somewhere that it can be gentler on your CBG to tune down rather than up because of this. When I was tuning to Dgbd, heard lots of little "pings" and such, may just have been the strings getting tight around the tuning pegs?

    I'll have to give DF#ad a try as well, since I have the 4-3-2-1 strings on it. Watched Keni's video, and will be attempting to play that soon.

    This is fun stuff!
  • Keni Lee Burgess March 8, 2010 at 2:14pm
    Please check out my video:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLGnnF-TIbY

    Enjoy.
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