Hello everyone. Just built my first instrument, a 3 string CBG that I love. It turned out great for my first try.

So now that I am hooked, I am planning my next build and wanted to try a 4 string that I can tune to open G.

I have zero experience playing open tunings / slide guitar of any sort and am hoping for a little guidance and understanding from some more experienced players.

My question is why doesn't it seem like it is a common practice to tune a 4 string CBG to DBGD low to high? To my mind it would seem that using the same basic tuning as a standard 6 string guitar open G would allow me to learn the same songs and fingerings so I could go between a 6 string guitar and my 4 string CBG?

So 6 string guitar open G tuning

String
6
5
4
3
2
1
Tuning
D
G
D
G
B
D

4 string CBG tuning

String
4
3
2
1
Tuning
D
G
B
D

What would be the disadvantages of this idea? I like the idea of learning something and being able to play it on both a 6 string guitar and a CBG  -- Thanks in advance for any help on my understanding of all this.

Views: 451

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

I dont often play 4 strings, but DGBD is my preferred tuning, for the very reason that it's an easy transfer from 6 string open G. The only disadvantage is that you don't have that low G, but apart from that it works fine. Some people use GDGB, but I've only dabbled with that tuning and not got into it properly.

 Thanks for the reply ChickenboneJohn ... Do you have a string preference for this tuning.... I am just assuming that the DGBE strings from a standard guitar set would work, but maybe there is another option that might sound better ....maybe use the 6th (E) and 5th (A) strings from a standard set and tune down to D and G to get more bass out of those?

Use regular gauges, but go a little heavier on the top string to make up for the fact that you are de-tuning from E to D..so something like .032, .024, .016, .013 will be about right depending on the scale and your personal preferences.

My 4 string  has the A/D/G/B strings on it and I tune them 4-G, 3-D, 2-G and 1-B. This way I can tune the 4th string down to A and play many of my Rock songs that I've played through the years, play the 4th, 3rd and 2nd strings like a 3 string CBG and add the the other string when I need it for the 3rd note.

Guitar string     5     4     3     2

string               4     3     2     1

Tuning             G     D    G    B

                   Root  5th  Root  3rd

Alternate          A     D    G    B

My $0.02 would be; give GDGB a try. I absolutely love the tuning. Chords sound full and rich, and pretty much anything is easily playable. I play CBGs in a totally different way to a traditional guitar, so it makes sense to me to use a different tuning.

I also use a free (Android) smartphone app called 'Smart Chord' wherein you can enter your tuning, and simply select from a list of chords - it will then give you every possible fingering on your instrument.

To go along with Richey Kay's suggestion for an app there is also a simple Windows app called "Fret" that does pretty much the same thing (and possibly more) and also allows you to print out the chord charts. It was posted by CBN member Doug Thorsvik here:

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/profiles/blogs/creating-chord-charts-...

Thanks you one and all for the suggestions, advise and words of wisdom. Definitely gives me a lot to think about and experiment with musically. I have a 6 string Republic Resonator that has been hiding in a closet so I just got that out and tuned to open G. I do like the idea of tuning my 6 string and 4 string CBG that I am building to the same tuning. Seems like it will be helpful to transition between the two instruments.

Richey Kay ---thanks for the Android app suggestions will be downloading that ASAP.

Appreciate such a helpful forum community and will be hanging out here often!!

I got here late and read the good responses.   Here is mine.  Early on, I used DGBD and still occasionally do.   It's a good tuning but lacks the low tones some songs seem to need.  I am a hack level player, but I do utilize quite a few tunings and need at least 4 guitars to do so.   Try DGBD and the more versatile DGBE.   And try GDGB, which sounds great to me. 

I will always like 3 strings, and the fewer the strings, the better I play.   But adding that fourth string does take the sound up a notch. 

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Forum

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 21. 11 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

How to Get Your Own Music on Spotify

Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 21. 2 Replies

CB Bass Guitar

Started by Mi Rankin in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Justin Stanchfield Jan 27. 5 Replies

Latest Activity

A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

"Thank you Poorness ! for loving it ! appreciated!"
12 hours ago
Southern Ray replied to Timothy Hunter's discussion just came accross this pickup idea on youtube.
" Very interesting. Thank you Timothy!"
12 hours ago
Kent Thurston updated their profile
13 hours ago
Southern Ray posted a photo

Punch Project!

She now sports gold metal CBGitty knobs, speaker and an Artec 2.5 watt speaker. Finished this in…
13 hours ago
Southern Ray posted a photo

Project Punch!

Gonna finally get back on this long-delayed project that is more than half complete. (The matching…
13 hours ago
Poorness Studios liked A.D.EKER's video
15 hours ago
BrianQ. left a comment for Rob (Uker) Porras
"Hope this helps?"
16 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Dueling Flatheads

"I appreciate the kind words Papa D! I have always loved the look of these cigar boxes. Glad to have…"
18 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
21 hours ago
A.D.EKER posted a video

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

The recorded History By Alan Lomax for the library of Congres of the Blues, from Mc Kinley Morganfield (Aka Muddy Waters) the in this take recorded Tribute ...
22 hours ago
Papa D commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Dueling Flatheads

"Beautiful..Nice work Doug.."
yesterday
Papa D commented on Papa D's photo
Thumbnail

american1 Sun Glo

"Thanx AGP & Doug..  4 more coming soon"
yesterday

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->