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String Gauges -3 string ?

Posted by Frank Scott on October 15, 2018 at 1:21pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

Since most all of you are building three string CBGs can you give me your opinion on what gauge strings you use since mine will not have a truss rod. Just a basic oak neck and fret board. Just want to double check to make sure I do not put anything too heavy that would cause the neck to bow. Thanks for any advice. My thoughts would be something like .016,.024,.032 or a .017. .026, .036 nickel wound for electric guitar since I have a single wound pick up. I was thinking any heavier might cause a problem.

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Replies

JP Lace Master October 19, 2018 at 5:50pm

the 017, 026 and 036 in Open G shouldn't cause any problems, I got a length of pine for a neck running the total length of the guitar with Open G without any problems. Oak could probably hold something heavier without any problems.
Chris B-stock October 15, 2018 at 11:28pm

I just pick a set I like for six string and use the gauges for the third (G), fourth (D), and fifth (A) strings. You tune the 'fifth' string down a whole step and you get GDG. Should be safe tension for most any CBG neck.

I order several of each size in single strings and make up my own sets:

http://www.juststrings.com/guitarsinglestrings.html

Here is the D'Addario chart the calculators use if you want to go deeper:

http://www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf

Similar GHS chart:

http://www.ghsrep.net/uploads/2/2/2/5/22258814/ghs_electric_guitar_...
BrianQ. October 15, 2018 at 7:38pm

I’ve been playing the same 3 stringer since 2003 with no bowing. Oak neck thru with no fretboard tuned GDG & AEA. I started out with .052, .042, .030 (EBE/DAD) before switching it over to GDG .046, .030, .022 & my neck is still straight as an arrow.
- Frank Scott > BrianQ. October 15, 2018 at 8:04pm
  
  Wow that is super. I am sure even with a disc type piezo pickup the unit would sound great. I appreciate all your input. Good information for sure.
Korrigan October 15, 2018 at 7:09pm

Depends on your scale length, which tuning and which octave you are going for.

A 25.5" scale with nickel roundwounds, .036 .026 .017, tuned G2 D3 G3 is about 48lbs of tension total.

Same scale with .070 .048 .036 tuned G1 D2 G2 would be about 45lbs.

Check out these awesome tools:

Guitar String Diameter Calculator
Guitar String Tension Calculator
- Frank Scott > Korrigan October 15, 2018 at 8:06pm
  
  Thanks a million Korrigan for the input and the links. This is just great.
BrianQ. October 15, 2018 at 6:20pm

That’s about right Frank, I play same gauges as Chickenbone for GDG. Cheers
- Frank Scott > BrianQ. October 15, 2018 at 6:37pm
  
  Really? I thought that large low G might cause too much tension on the neck? With no truss rod if the larger gauges do not cause any bowing issues that is great. I know for sure the sound will be optimum. Thanks....
- Don Stachovak > BrianQ. October 15, 2018 at 6:24pm
  
  I go 22, 32, 42 for low G tuning. But i have a St Blues that came with 46, 26, 17, and I just use those on that one (I'm too lazy to mess with the nut). Experiment!
  - Frank Scott > Don Stachovak October 15, 2018 at 6:38pm
    
    Thanks Don and Brian for your comments. That is good to hear the larger gauges work fine with no bowing issues.