Hello,
I am new to CBGs and was wondering what are the recommendations for string gauges on a 4-string CBG to be able to tune it in a standard tuning of DGBE like the four strings on a regular guitar? Presently mine is set up for open G tuning (GDGB) with string gauges 40,28,18,14 but I think these would be too heavy for the standard tuning of DGBE. Any advice would be appreciated. My CBG does not have a truss rod but has an oak neck and fret board. Thanks for any advice.
Replies
This is the best tool I've found for choosing sting gauges.
You just fill in the blanks and it gives you the gauge you need. If you aren't sure what tension to chose you can figure it out what tension you like by using this along with your guitar and current strings. For me 15lbs is my sweet spot, not too tight for string bending and not too loose for playing slide (if I'm careful to use a light touch).
Thanks for the link to the calculator Korrigan. Greatly appreciated.
You have a ton of valid options. You could start with a regular gauge set in the 26, 17, 13, 10 range and have a familiar feel. You could also go to the String Tension Calculator and enter your scale length and desired tension. A third option is to just go over the the Gitty web site and order a 4-string set that is suitable for standard tuning (it will be about the same as the strings noted above).
Depending on how you like the feel, you can go in a lot of directions.
Thanks for the information Tom. The reason I was asking is that I have a set of electric guitar strings that are pure nickel light gauge with gauges 24,16,11,9. I also have five sets of acoustic gauge strings that are phosphor bronze and figured if these would work I should try them. Their gauges are 32,24,16,12. I figured since I already have all these strings I might be able to put them to use. Was just not sure since most of them are acoustic guitar strings. Thanks.
No harm in trying the nickel strings. The gauges are close enough. Lighter actually plays well. They may not play as warm as bronze acoustic, but they should work fine for your first set. It will let you know the gauge you want and if you want a warmer sound. Go for it
Thanks Tom. I will give them a try. I do have a question you may be able to answer. Do you know why in some articles I have read people are saying that you should not use phosphor bronze or bronze strings with a magnetic type pickup(single coil) like I have? Does the pickup just not do a proper amplification?
You pretty much hit it on the head. Magnetic coils are only affected by ferrous metals like steel, nickel, etc. Copper bronze strings will work because the core to the wound strings is iron based. Still, they will not produce the kind of volume you get from a string wound with a steel type metal. It's the whole reason nickel wound strings were developed.
Thank you Tom. I guess that is why a lot of guys can use the phosphor bronze on the piezo type pickups since magnetism is not involved in producing the sound with that type pickup which changes the vibration to a voltage signal. One guy told me those were not very good but I remember years ago I had an acoustic electric guitar and I think it had one under the bridge and it worked great with excellent sound.