Was messing around and wanted to see how many different open tunings I could get out of the gauge of strings i use. Went online and checked out different brands and gauges. Came up with this chart. 

The top row is the open tuning for a standard six string guitar. Below each string are the gauges used for that tuning from thickest to thin. Colors are used to represent the same tuning used on the next string higher in pitch. If you compare the strings used to tune both E and A you'll see that some of the strings used to tune a low E can also be used to tune to A.

The ? to ? below each column is the preposed tunings for those strings. I only went one step lower on each string. Tuning down from A to G. Because if you make your strings too loose they start to sound wobbly. 

The next row down is the gauge of strings I use and what I believe I should be able to tune them to. 

Views: 548

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Well Taff, I had another glass or two of red and then came up with the following:- Do one of the three as a Shane Speal low E, E B using the E, D and B from one set, then a straightforward GDG using the A, D and G from the other, and finally a GDG with the remaining low E, A and G. Leaves a B and two top Es for should I ever go into the uke business. Or, as previously threatened, cheese wire....

Don't really think sliding or fretting would matter. The over all range determines what key you can tune the guitar. This does help singers. I find myself tuning to higher keys so I'm not singing low. To low in G I can turn to B and the song sounds better. I have a low voice. A slide only player can have CGBs in different keys to add variety to a performance. 

I can see mixing sets to reach a desired key. Higher or lower than G. 

Hi, I find that light strings, when a bottle neck slide is used, can result in rattle on the frets easier and lower volume. So I keep the heavier gauges for slide set ups.

Bluegrass/Dobro factory sets run to 56 to 16, the sets I buy anyway.

Taff

I was totally unaware there were 16 gauge high E's. When looking for info on bronze strings I've found that D'Addario has tension charts for each set. Their 16 gauge high E runs a tension of 30.740 with 10's around 16.2. HUGE difference. And going by the tension of their B string it could easily handle being tuned up to that high E. However I'm not sure of the strength of phosphor bronze and how it would handle being tuned up.

Iv'e got the D'Addario site saved. It'll take some time to go through all this cool data. I feel confident my estimates on electric guitar strings are accurate enough to help fellow players out with finding new tunings. I know different types of strings will have different strengths. Try but there may be breakage is the best I can offer for now.  

16s? Yeesh! I once strung my Hondo LP copy (DiMarzio humbuckers) with 13s for rhythm playing and I could scarcely get them down to the fingerboard...

Been pondering your 'two sets different gauges' idea. Much heavier than 10s and you couldn't get the low E up to G; much lighter and the B would be too light, I think. I've got a few on the bench- I'll see if the 'two GDGs and one EE'B' thing will fly.

Hi, I said earlier that electric sets of strings have unwound 3rds,ooops! I'm just fitting a few of my CBGs with new strings, Jazz style 12 - 52 and found that the 3rds are wound. Sorry 'bout that.

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 Taffy Evans yesterday. 8 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

BrianQ. liked Gary O'slide's video
3 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Flathead Diddley Bow

"Thanks. Wow! That becomes a spendy box Alan. They are pretty distinctive though. I have a few on…"
8 hours ago
Nigel McTrustry posted a video

Nigel McTrustry & The Hound Dogs are Loose! - Yellow Dog - Live - Original - Cigar Box Guitar

Nigel McTrustry & The Hound Dogs are Loose! Yellow Dog (McTrustry)@ The Cave Inn Brisbane, Australia.The song is currently on Spotify.
8 hours ago
AGP # commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Flathead Diddley Bow

""Sweet Doug" :-), have seen quite a few Flathead Builds over the years, great looking…"
10 hours ago
AGP # liked David Dodt's photo
10 hours ago
AGP # liked David Dodt's photo
10 hours ago
AGP # liked David Dodt's photo
10 hours ago
AGP # liked Doug Thorsvik's photo
10 hours ago
AGP # liked Doug Thorsvik's photo
10 hours ago
AGP # liked Doug Thorsvik's photo
10 hours ago
AGP # liked Aaron Green's photo
10 hours ago
Keith Rearick liked Gary O'slide's video
11 hours ago

Events

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 -->