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What string gauge in 4-string electric CBG (total newbie)

Posted by Carlo Pipitone on April 23, 2013 at 12:57pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

Hi y'all,

I'm here for the first time and I'm totally new to CBGs.

I've been just gifted an electric 4-string CBG by a friend of mine, who also built it.

Now he's travelling and I can't ask him any question, so I thought I might ask you guys about string gauge.

I like heavy strings when I play with a bottleneck (I use a .016 set in my resonator guitar), but I really don't know how much tension the neck in this CBG can get. The strings currently on this CBG are very light.

What I know is that I like a big sound (the amp is crucial of course) and I like pure nickel plated strings.

The attached pictures may give an idea of the neck type and strength.

Thanks in advance.

--Carlo

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Replies

  • Craig Mayhem April 26, 2013 at 2:06pm

    6 string is tuned E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4.

    You can use those values to extrapolate the notes you want to use - for example D2 A2 D3 G3.

    Then you can determine which tension you want. I chose 16lbs for each string for my latest build.

    Then use http://wahiduddin.net/calc/calc_guitar_string.htm to find your strings.

    For DADG with 16lb per string tension (matched tension) on a 25.5" scale length you'd get:

    047, 031, 023, 017 (aproximately)

    • Carlo Pipitone > Craig Mayhem May 5, 2013 at 10:21am

      I have installed a .012 .016 0.26 0.32 set with flatwound 3rd and 4th strings. I feel very comfortable. If the neck feels comfortable too I think I will keep this string gauge.

  • Carlo Pipitone April 26, 2013 at 1:20pm

    Thank you CJ.

    I hope this picture helps. The neck is about 0.8 in. thick.

    I have a .012 .016 0.26 0.32 set available right now. Pretty close to your advice. I will try them and see if the neck reacts fine.

    306031624?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024

  • ChickenboneJohn April 24, 2013 at 11:38am

    Depends what tuning you want to use, also what the scale length..and from the photos I can't see the crucial thing..how thick (or thin!) the neck is, but for open G tuning (like the top 4 of regular open G, D-G-B-D) try 032, 024, 018, 014. That's relatively light so shouldn't trouble the neck too much. I'm giving you some actual string gauges, it's the only way to go in terms of finding out what suits your guitar and your playing...there's no point in saying, for example use the 3rd, 4th 5th and 6th strings, as gauges for 6 string sets vary so widely (eg a 6th string can be as heavy as 056 or as light as 040)

  • Dan Sleep April 24, 2013 at 6:39am

    For a 3 or 4 string model, the tension should be fine. Once you get to a 6 string, you really should use a truss rod, or otherwise reinforce then neck.

  • Carlo Pipitone April 24, 2013 at 4:38am

    Thank you guys. My question was about the string gauge the neck may bear without getting bowed. I don't have any idea of how strong is such a relatively thin neck without a truss rod (I don't know the type of wood).

    As for tunings that will depend on the songs as usual. I will use open G and open D tunings.

  • Clock The Wolf April 23, 2013 at 3:35pm

     Nickel plated electric strings? Medium? EADg strings tuned DADf#, DGDg, EBEg#... a bunch more.

  • Dan Sleep April 23, 2013 at 2:57pm

    Put the 3-4-5-6 strings on it and tune it to D-A-D-G.

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