Howdy folks.Im new to CBN.I have 3 grandkids that love playing around with my cigar box guitars. The problem is that the necks are way too long.So I'm thinking maybe a 17" scale ukulele neck.One of my granddaughters has a ukulele and does fine with this neck length.Id would like to tune it to open G but I'm not sure if that will create too much string tension on such a short neck.Any thoughts?
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Found out the string tension didn't matter. I tried all kinds of variations that have been discussed. But what sounded best was the normal set up.So scale length doesn't seem to make any difference.
I just use my spreadsheet fret calculator to look at the approximate scale length to see what fret that lines up on compared to a standard scale git, then take the notes at that fret to see what's closest to the desired tuning. no tension calculations needed. It also works for longer scales, I add some -1, -2, -3 frets to my spreadsheet fret calculator to do the same thing.
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Weird. I replied to this and my reply has vanished.
Spooky!
My bad. It was in a different forum.
Another possibility would be to get a "low G" set of tenor ukulele strings and use the 1, 3, and 4 strings (A, C, G) and tune it to GDG.
Thanks Lane. Didn't know about low G tenor strings. Not sure how nylon strings would sound but might be the best option for kids
GDG tuning with guitar strings at a 17 inch scale, puts you right about the 7th fret relative to a 25.5 guitar: BEADF#B,
so if you go with strings #4, #3, and #2 on a 17in scale tuned to GDG you will be at the same tension.
Thanks Jl I kind figured some string variables would be involved . Honestly wasn't sure how to figure the tensions.
I just use my spreadsheet fret calculator to look at the approximate scale length to see what fret that lines up on compared to a standard scale git, then take the notes at that fret to see what's closest to the desired tuning. no tension calculations needed. It also works for longer scales, I add some -1, -2, -3 frets to my spreadsheet fret calculator to do the same thing.