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scale length to string gauge and getting proper tuning

Posted by David Ford on October 31, 2014 at 10:25am in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

I couldn't figure out how to phrase that for a site search, so I'm asking here.

I have a cbg that I built, 22" scale thereabouts, and I want to tune it to DGBD, but, with the thinner strings I have on there, all I can make work is AC#EA.

What guidelines do I need to follow to get the tuning I want with this short scale.  I built it a couple of years ago, and can't remember what gauge strings I put on there.

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Replies

  • Dan Sleep November 3, 2014 at 8:38am

    Here is an article that may help too:

    http://hcw3.com/?p=91

    • robert jones > Dan Sleep November 4, 2014 at 4:29am

      Hey Dan, be fun to put the ZOG guy and Scott Grove in a room together and lock the door.

      • The Phrygian Kid > robert jones November 4, 2014 at 8:56am

        OH man I looove Scott Grove that guy is hilarious

        • robert jones > The Phrygian Kid November 4, 2014 at 3:37pm

          How about Patrick Costello, the banjo guy?

    • David Ford > Dan Sleep November 3, 2014 at 11:22pm

      thank you guys.

  • robert jones November 3, 2014 at 6:39am

    String Tension 101 - there is some information worth examining at this link.

  • The Phrygian Kid October 31, 2014 at 4:14pm

    your scale length is around 2-3 frets shorter than a standard guitar...

    so if you (temporarily) adjust each target note to compensate for that you can work out which guitar strings to use.  If in doubt hold it up against a regular guitar so the bridges line up.  Where is the nut? at fret 3 (on the regular guitar)? 5? etc.   work it out from there..

    depending which octave you're shooting for id be looking at probably the low 4 from a 7 string set or 2-5 in a regular (light-ish) set.

    • David Ford > The Phrygian Kid November 2, 2014 at 10:49am

      So, do you mean, look at my shorter scale as though it was capoed on a longer scale, and work out what strings give me the desired notes at that location?

    • David Ford > The Phrygian Kid November 1, 2014 at 7:25am

      Thanks Phryg.

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