just built my first CBG with lots of help from my hubby. My problem is in tuning- keep breaking strings when trying to get it up to the correct note. Double checked string size to note I want, should be able to do it but can feel way too much tension on the tuner as I try to get up to the proper note. I'm trying to get to GDG. My question is this - since I am not playing with a group, can I tune to any 1 - 5 -1 setting such as EBE and still use GDG chord chart and music written for GDG? Obviously I need to address the breaking strings issue but I want to take a breather and just play for a little while.
You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!
Replies
Quick update- my husband readdressed my guitar's issues- changed out the nut to a traditional bone one. Was able to tune up to GDG and get it intonated. I'm one happy strummer! Will post a pic as soon as I trim the strings. Thanks for all your help and advice.
Glad that you managed to get it resolved Sharon. Good on hubby for sticking with it through to the solution too. Have a great time on your guitar and looking forward to seeing the pictures.
Another member has recently post the exact same dilemma, he too sounds like tuning to the next octave.Like the others said, you can tune to any 151, I too like the EBe sound, plus guess what, capo the 3rd fret and "voila" GDg
Thanks for the quick replies. Think I will be changing out the bridge and nut but for now I'm satisfied with the lower tuning! Really pleased with the build as far as sound. Want to get it to the GDG tuning but was fun to just get to play!
I too have broken strings tuningmy cigar box guitar. It turns out I was tuning them an octave too high and using light gauge strings didn’t help as they broke easier. I switched to medium gauge strings, got a tuner I could clip on my head stock, and more importantly, I tuned it using one of my six string guitars to get the correct octave, a piano or other instrument that is guaranteed to be in tune is also good to use. Tuning to GDG is preferable so you can learn songs from videos from the cigar box nation, youtube, etc..
You can play all the same chord shapes and the scales will be the same in any 151 tuning I think, Sharon. Obviously the chord names and notes on the frets will be different but I think you should be good to go.
As for the string breakage, check the break angle of the strings over the nut and bridge (make sure the angle of the strings going over the none vibrating side isn't too drastic) and check the tuning pegs for burrs and sharpness that may be cutting the strings.
I'm sure others will be along soon who can help more or correct me if I'm wrong but I believe this info to be right.
Enjoy the guitar :)
Yes, Dani and Bear are correct that any 151 tuning allows you to use the same chord shapes and tab. EBe just means you'll be in the key of E rather than G which you'd have with GDg. I usually like a low G tuning and I use the A,D,and g strings from a 6 string set. This means that the D and g strings are at their normal pitch and the A string is tuned down a step to G. I suspect you may be trying for an octave higher than you should. You can check that using an online guitar tuner to match the pitch of your g and D strings and then the low G will be one octave lower than the higher g.
https://www.guitarforbeginners.com/onlinetuner.html