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What would you throw on a 19" 4 stringer resonator, and how would you tune it? It is a gift for 9 yo.

Posted by Fitzhugh on September 1, 2010 at 9:38pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion
I'm finishing up a four string resonator with a 19 inch scale length that will be a gift for a 9 year old non-guitar playing (yet) kid and would like some advice on making it as kid-friendly as possible. I know from past experience giving instruments that they usually aren't actually played - that's fine, I just want him to have a fighting chance if he chooses to.

What tuning would you use in the case of a gift to non-player? (should have fretted diatonic, but went with chromatic). Also, how should I determine string gauge for the tuning?

I've tried stringing it with the bottom four and top four strings from an acoustic, and both sound great, albeit different, in terms of tone. It took some getting used to, but the brightness of the higher set was so bell-like. These cones are SO COOL!  

I also tried nylon. Had to - easy on little fingers.  Just didn't mix with cone. Of course. Kind of like trying to mix chocolate and bacon. Oh wait, I hear that's good. Chocolate and anchovies, then. 

I'll attach a photo but please keep in mind it is not done. No finish on wood yet... the ring around the cone and the headstock laminate are unknown thin ply that I'll stain something different than the box, otherwise I mostly like how it turned out. Nut not cut to width and probably replace the temporary nut-sized bone bridge with bolt after string choice made, other stuff not done. 

MilosReso.JPG

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Replies

  • Fitzhugh September 3, 2010 at 2:48pm
    I am using steel so that string gauge calc is just what I needed Diane :)

    And Jef, what can I say? That is so cool! The boy has a younger sister and I know if (when) I show that to my girlfriend (the kids' aunt) I'll be told I have to make something for her too. Those heart shaped soundholes are wonderful for that build and I love the design of the small soundbox.
  • The Phrygian Kid September 3, 2010 at 2:34pm
    yep, good idea mate.
    u can always replace the saddle and nut later and revert to 4 strings.. U could also consider just removing the offending frets u know.. fretwire is cheap enough, and while having the other slots is unconventional, again it means the instrument can grow with the player, u can make a big deal out of the achievement when u add em back and chromaticise... (hehe oh u can bet my spellchecker never heard of that word b4..)

    here is the axe i made for my 3 year old a few months back if ur interested..
    http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/charlichops-1?xg_source=activity
  • Diane in Chicago September 3, 2010 at 2:04pm
    Good idea on the double melody string - so long as that does not make your string spacing crazy wide. How wide is the instrument at the nut? My 3 stringers are about 1 3/8 tops.

    I think you could pick your tuning and choose the strings to get there. I sometimes go a bit lighter than the recommended strings, but some people say you lose tone that way -- likely true.

    http://www.strothers.com/string_choice.htm

    But if you are going nylon, I don't know anything about that.

    As an adult with small hands I play a 17" by choice. I'm starting on two 15"s (a 4-string mando thingy and a uke). Even 19" is a bit big for me, but I have in mind to make a 5-string banjo that size soon, too.

    Fitzhugh said:
    Retraction: I shouldn't blame the cone for the poor sound w/ nylon strings. Just as with steel strings I might have needed to tune it higher. I suspect I didn't compensate enough for the shorter scale when tuning it up and therefor had the strings tuned too low and loose. With steel strings they sound muddy, kinda dead until tuned up enough, when the instrument goes through some unimaginable phase change from kindling into "Wow! I made that?!"

    I love the idea of inking out the offending frets. I do that before leveling them already so I can more easily see when all have been slightly flattened to start with but didn't think of doing it here. Great idea. I'll add a strip of narrow masking tape marking tape on the side marking out the frets the same way, might last longer.


    I also like the three string idea, though I think I might just go ahead and string it with 4, two in unison, dulcimer style, with a tuning to match. Opens up the world of dulcimer tabs as well as long as I make it clear to count only unmarked frets.

    I'm also relieved to hear you think the scale length is good for a child. It feels so tiny in my hands, though still couldn't put it down last two days. I LOVE that old lowe cone!

    Your offer of the chord chart is kind, I learned my first chords for my first build that way! I'll let you know if I tune it to a key not already included.

    Any suggestions on string choice and tuning for what can be thought of as a 19" scale dulcimer?

    Thank you both.
  • Fitzhugh September 3, 2010 at 12:57pm
    Retraction: I shouldn't blame the cone for the poor sound w/ nylon strings. Just as with steel strings I might have needed to tune it higher. I suspect I didn't compensate enough for the shorter scale when tuning it up and therefor had the strings tuned too low and loose. With steel strings they sound muddy, kinda dead until tuned up enough, when the instrument goes through some unimaginable phase change from kindling into "Wow! I made that?!"

    I love the idea of inking out the offending frets. I do that before leveling them already so I can more easily see when all have been slightly flattened to start with but didn't think of doing it here. Great idea. I'll add a strip of narrow masking tape marking tape on the side marking out the frets the same way, might last longer.


    I also like the three string idea, though I think I might just go ahead and string it with 4, two in unison, dulcimer style, with a tuning to match. Opens up the world of dulcimer tabs as well as long as I make it clear to count only unmarked frets.

    I'm also relieved to hear you think the scale length is good for a child. It feels so tiny in my hands, though still couldn't put it down last two days. I LOVE that old lowe cone!

    Your offer of the chord chart is kind, I learned my first chords for my first build that way! I'll let you know if I tune it to a key not already included.

    Any suggestions on string choice and tuning for what can be thought of as a 19" scale dulcimer?

    Thank you both.
  • Diane in Chicago September 3, 2010 at 11:59am
    I go with what Jef said. Marking the non-diatonic notes will make it much more fun for him to pick out songs he knows, and 3 strings is really alluring to novice kids. (Jef teaches kids and so do I, fwiw, so we've seen our share of 9yos!)

    There is a 3-string chord chart here which works for 1-5-1 tunings like DAD, GDG and CGC. I can print you up one for EBE, or whatever tuning you settle on and you can give it with the instrument.

    http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/threestrangthangs/forum/topics/...

    Good for you going for the 19" - that's a good size, imo. It is really nice to have the instrument fit the player.
  • The Phrygian Kid September 3, 2010 at 10:52am
    Oh and btw...
    nylon strings work great on a resonator, just look at all those great little national etc ukes from the 30s,40s..
    but u need a really lightweight aluminium cone thats made for the purpose, it can be spun much lighter for the nylon strings is all....

    chocolate anchovies are probly a delicacy somewhere in world too :D
  • The Phrygian Kid September 3, 2010 at 10:50am
    just because its a 4 string doesn't mean you need to put all four on there immediately..

    Im a big believer in starting kids off on a strummer, learning the guitar is very tricky for children, it really helps to let them learn the 'motor skill' part of playing, fretting notes, holding the thing etc.. before they really need worry about scales and chords, patterns etc

    So personally I'd start her off on 3 strings, tuned regular 3 string tuning Ebe for example, and I'd add a 3rd major or minor at the top later..
    U can hit the top of the frets that are not part of the regular strummer pattern ie 1,3,6, etc etc with a black sharpie, dont worry it'll polish right off just from playing, but also easily with a bit of steel wool or 600grit sandpaper etc.. And so gradually warm the child up to the instrument..

    good luck with it
  • Keni Lee Burgess September 1, 2010 at 10:38pm
    Here is a chart of all the possible keys.
    http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/13-keys?context=user
    I would string it using medium gauge strings
    low to high, use strings D g b e
    Using the chart, tune 1 3 5 1 (open major chord) Great for one finger bar chords.
    For example Df#ad
    Experiment to find the correct key that gives you the correct tension to ring the cone.
    I hope this helps. Enjoy.
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