Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Scott aka Farmer Ted on December 23, 2016 at 12:59am

Hey Ronald,

Choice of tuning really comes down to two things. First, does the guitar have frets or no frets? Many builders who make 3 stringers and go without frets choose a tuning using the common power chord GDg, or its variants like AEa, DAd, etc. for the simplicity in learning to play slide style.

If the guitar has four strings and is fretted, more tuning variations come into play. A four string can still be played slide style, but fingered chord patterns make the fretted variety more versatile.

I started out making cbg's without frets because they were easier to build. But I switched to fretted, and in either 3, 4, or even 6 strings because more customers wanted the ability to play fingered chords.

Second, what does the player like for a tuning? This is subjective to the individual, his/her preference, playing ability, etc.

In the end, go with what makes you feel good, and inspired to keep picking up the guitar and playing it.

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Permalink Reply by Don Stachovak on December 23, 2016 at 2:25am

I use GDGB. It gives you the option of following along with most open G tuned slide stuff. To be honest though, I'm not always keen on the major 3rd in there (the B), so I may change it. As the other poster stated, experiment. There are no rules!

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on December 23, 2016 at 3:54pm

I use GDGB, and a variant, BbfBbC# on my 4-stringers. Sometimes, the box itself will tell you what tuning it likes, as in that last one. It was originally tuned GDGB, but It kept going out of tune, and my tuner had died, so I tried to keep it in tune by ear. BbFBbC# is where the tunng for that particular git became stable.

I have also used ADF#B with good results. Experiment with different string diameters, as well

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Permalink Reply by JL on January 4, 2017 at 1:41am

I assume its a "depends on what you want / don't know what you want" situation, so I'll suggest 2 easy starting points for 4 string

double the G, either G' G D g or G D g g' which makes a real easy transition between 3 and 4 string

or the Chicago/Arkansas tuning of either the high 4 or low 4 of a standard 6 string tuning which is played with standard 6 string fingering and pretending the missing 2 strings are still there.

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on January 4, 2017 at 2:03am

DGBE is pretty useful if you already play 6 strings...

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Permalink Reply by Grandpa on January 5, 2017 at 8:37am

JL threw in a tip that I recently tried, with pleasing results. I have a four string license plate guitar tuned GDGd  using .036/.027/.017/.013 strings. Sounds good, fun to play. I wanted to experiment a little to "fine tune" my next build idea. I replaced the .013 string with another .017 "G" string, moved it closer to the other .017 string so it was more of a mandolin or 12 string spacing. Huzzah! A real pretty harmonic double G. Not new, not rocket science, but a good "new try" for me. My next build or so is going to be a double necked git. Upper neck, 3 string GDg. Lower neck GDg, but with doubled complimentary strings, same mandolin-style spacing. Again, not new, but new in my building path. Who else out there has had success (or not) with this type of "12 string style" build?

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