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strung out in nc help

Posted by jeff whitford on August 26, 2010 at 1:40pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

i just finished my 1st cigar box 3 string and am having problems tuning?

i want to use the popular G,D,g tuning so i started with a set of martin silk & steels  medium s

using 5th ,4th and 3rd string from the set (A,D&g) if i tune to match the D on my 6 string  there is no tention on string (floppy) am i correct in assuming that my bass G should be tuned down from stanard A tuning 

 

please help this is giving me headache

 

 

thansk   

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Replies

  • Keni Lee Burgess August 27, 2010 at 9:33am
    Here is the link for CD 4 (How to Play 3 string CBG)
    http://shop.ebay.com/njmikeb/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&a...
    Okay, is seems not to be a scale length problem. If the strings are too slack when tuned to pitch, you would use heavier strings to correct the problem. Consider contacting Darren.
    http://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/DarrenBigDaddyDukes?xg_source...
    He is a very good builder and should be able to pin point the problem. Enjoy.

    jeff whitford said:
    24.5 SCALE LEGHT CLOSE TO MY 335 I THINK IT IS SOMTHING CLOSE TO 24.75 BUT I DID SET MINE TO 24.5 PLUS OR - A LITTLE TO GET INTONATION CORRECT AT 12TH FRET AND YES THEY ARE MEDIUM SHOULD I USE LIGHTER??
    ALSO I SAW YOU HAD LESSONS ON 4 STRING BOX DO YOU ALSO HAVE ANYTHING FOR 3 STRING??
    THANKS AGAIN

    Keni Lee Burgess said:
    Is the scale length on your CBG, the same length as your standard 6 string? This is the major reason I could think of that would cause your strings to be too slack. Are the silk and steel string medium gauge? A (.045) D (.035) g (.026) Yes, tune down the A string to G.

    I hope this helps. Enjoy, Keni Lee
  • Greg Miller August 26, 2010 at 4:06pm
    Jeff, here is a link to a string tension calculator. Just punch in the scale length, the note you are looking for, the tension you want, and the piano octave equivelant. I am trying to keep my string tension between 20-25 lbs of pressure. This will tell you close to what diameter strings you need. http://wahiduddin.net/dance/guitar_string_calc.htm
  • jeff whitford August 26, 2010 at 3:04pm
    24.5 SCALE LEGHT CLOSE TO MY 335 I THINK IT IS SOMTHING CLOSE TO 24.75 BUT I DID SET MINE TO 24.5 PLUS OR - A LITTLE TO GET INTONATION CORRECT AT 12TH FRET AND YES THEY ARE MEDIUM SHOULD I USE LIGHTER??
    ALSO I SAW YOU HAD LESSONS ON 4 STRING BOX DO YOU ALSO HAVE ANYTHING FOR 3 STRING??
    THANKS AGAIN

    Keni Lee Burgess said:
    Is the scale length on your CBG, the same length as your standard 6 string? This is the major reason I could think of that would cause your strings to be too slack. Are the silk and steel string medium gauge? A (.045) D (.035) g (.026) Yes, tune down the A string to G.

    I hope this helps. Enjoy, Keni Lee
  • Keni Lee Burgess August 26, 2010 at 2:12pm
    Is the scale length on your CBG, the same length as your standard 6 string? This is the major reason I could think of that would cause your strings to be too slack. Are the silk and steel string medium gauge? A (.045) D (.035) g (.026) Yes, tune down the A string to G.

    I hope this helps. Enjoy, Keni Lee
  • YeahDoIt August 26, 2010 at 2:08pm
    You might try using the 4th, 3rd and 2nd strings and tuning GDg. I found this (putting strings on and tuning) the most frustrating part of building a CBG. I changed strings and keys several times. Relax and take it slow, you are getting there but this part may be frustrating. I may have used nylon fishing line for one or two strings in the beginning because it's cheaper than brand name strings.
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