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Permalink Reply by Doc Oakroot on May 28, 2009 at 12:00am

Using guitar strings, a good rule of thumb is to use a scale length around 24"-25". That way, guitar strings will act like guitar strings.

The light strings will make things easier for you - you won't have to deal with so much structural stress.

Strings 6-5-4 are good for a low DAd tuning. Strings 4-2-1 are good for a High DAd tuning. Or you could put your high guitar in in G - GBD - and use the 3-2-1 strings, so that between the two guitars you use a whole set of strings.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Lemin on May 28, 2009 at 2:04am

Doc Oakroot said:

Using guitar strings, a good rule of thumb is to use a scale length around 24"-25". That way, guitar strings will act like guitar strings.

The light strings will make things easier for you - you won't have to deal with so much structural stress.

Strings 6-5-4 are good for a low DAd tuning. Strings 4-2-1 are good for a High DAd tuning. Or you could put your high guitar in in G - GBD - and use the 3-2-1 strings, so that between the two guitars you use a whole set of strings.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Lemin on May 28, 2009 at 2:05am

That is simple and straight forward advice. I like it.

Are there any other offers?

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Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on May 28, 2009 at 2:47am

In general be prepared to experiment to get the correct string tension so your CBG rings correctly. Too tight is bad for the neck and harder to fret notes. Too loose will not cause the sound box to vibrate. If the scale length is a standard length of about 23 to 24 inch, you can use medium gauge strings (.13 to .56). Low: use strings 543 (ADg) tune GDg. High: use strings 321(gbe) tune gbd. Have you seen my video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX0LEMoFoJU&feature=PlayList&...
Please feel free to write if I can be of any assistance. Enjoy.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Werner on May 28, 2009 at 4:45am

I have always used what amounts to "light" acoustic guitar sets. For a three-string, you can just use the "top" three strings.
Sometimes folks get confused about "top" and "bottom". "Top" strings are the little skinny ones that produce the highest tones; "bottom" the thicker lower-sounding ones.

There are no rules with CBGs, but remember that in most cases these instruments are not all that strong; that's why I use the thinner strings. (less tension)
For my resonator guitar, I used the "middle" strings (5-4-3-2) to impart a bit more energy to the resonator; the top doesn't take any pressure in this design.

Most decent music shops will sell you single strings; just look online at what the gauges are for a light acoustic set..
Here, for a typical D'Addario light set:

Diameter Tension
Item# Note inches mm lbs kg
PL012 E 0.012 0.3 23.3 10.57
PL016 B 0.016 0.41 23.3 10.57
PB024 G 0.024 0.61 30.2 13.70
PB032 D 0.032 0.81 30.5 13.83
PB042 A 0.042 1.07 29.9 13.56
PB053 E 0.053 1.35 26.0 13.15

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Permalink Reply by Brian Lemin on May 29, 2009 at 1:43am

OK Guys, Thanks a lot.

I seem to have got myself straight on that issue, made copious notes.

I will play the first one safe and go with the most straightforward. I have a set of medium strings... I will use them.

Over and out.

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