Thanks for the help I have decided to make a new longer neck My ovation has a builtin tuner so I can drop the A down to a G and then tune it in. I did finally get in in tune but one of my frets broke on the end so I have torn it all down and working from scratch again
Most of us use an A string for the low G. I do. Tricks to tuning. Hmm. Reference points. It's easy for me to tune that string by first tuning by ear to another GDG guitar and then using an electronic tuner to dial it in just right. Or to use a six string and match the A and then tune down to a G. But if you don't have those reference points it would be harder.
You could look at some how to play videos and some of them start off kind of demonstrating the tuning. Some of Mike Snowden's good videos on youtube do that and they are worth a look.
Also, how long is the scale (distance from saddle to nut) ? It looks to be short - like 22 inches or so. Standard scales are between 24 and 25.5 inches. If you are much shorter than standard, GDG will have kind of lose strings. Tuning AEA would improve on that.
I know the picture didn't turn out as good as I wanted. It does have frets they just aren't visible in the photo. I am going to have to redo the first one broke the corner on it so the G string cant be fretted at the first fret. It is in open G tuning. Which by the way is there a trick to make tuning the low G string easier. I am using a A string for it
Mine often have some bugs to work out too. Not a real good photo, but it does look like a nice old timey relic style build. Again. hard to tell from the photo but maybe the strings are too low. For a fretless, I like 1/4 inch between the string and 12th fret. (about a cm) Some would want higher.
At the first fret, about the thickness of a penny. Are the strings staying in place at the nut (up by the head stock)? If the nut is threaded (thin bolt or dry wall screw), it holds the strings in place some. If that does not do the trick. use a screw or more in the headstock to keep the strings in place.
Suggestion for playing: google knotlenny's cbg 101 or find it at page top under resources.
Suggestions for next time: make the headstock a little longer and have a bit more space between nut and nearest tuner. For better acoustic sound, next time place the saddle inboard another inch or so and it will pick up vibration better.
Comments
Most of us use an A string for the low G. I do. Tricks to tuning. Hmm. Reference points. It's easy for me to tune that string by first tuning by ear to another GDG guitar and then using an electronic tuner to dial it in just right. Or to use a six string and match the A and then tune down to a G. But if you don't have those reference points it would be harder.
You could look at some how to play videos and some of them start off kind of demonstrating the tuning. Some of Mike Snowden's good videos on youtube do that and they are worth a look.
Also, how long is the scale (distance from saddle to nut) ? It looks to be short - like 22 inches or so. Standard scales are between 24 and 25.5 inches. If you are much shorter than standard, GDG will have kind of lose strings. Tuning AEA would improve on that.
Mine often have some bugs to work out too. Not a real good photo, but it does look like a nice old timey relic style build. Again. hard to tell from the photo but maybe the strings are too low. For a fretless, I like 1/4 inch between the string and 12th fret. (about a cm) Some would want higher.
At the first fret, about the thickness of a penny. Are the strings staying in place at the nut (up by the head stock)? If the nut is threaded (thin bolt or dry wall screw), it holds the strings in place some. If that does not do the trick. use a screw or more in the headstock to keep the strings in place.
Suggestion for playing: google knotlenny's cbg 101 or find it at page top under resources.
Suggestions for next time: make the headstock a little longer and have a bit more space between nut and nearest tuner. For better acoustic sound, next time place the saddle inboard another inch or so and it will pick up vibration better.
You did good. Contact me if you have questions.