I have built several 3 strings and find the EBe tuning good for my voice.I just finished a 4 string and want to tune it EBe and wonder what the 4th string would be. EBe? any ideas would help and what gauge string should I use.

Views: 667

Replies to This Discussion

I'm just building my first 4-string now - a short-scale (470 mm scale, or about 18.5 inches), which I will mostly tune GBDg, sometimes G Bb D g.  This is like taking an open D tuning and capoing at the 5th fret. I play my 6-string that way a lot, and I find it really versatile, though others might disagree.

I love the chord voicings you can get by using this tuning, it's great for finger-style playing, and allows you to play fast scales across all 4 strings without having to do the stretch that having the longer interval between the 1st and second string that you have with your root - 5th - octave tuning you use on your 3-string.

The drawback is that the range is limited to the same range you currently have on your 3-string, since the interval between the 1st and 4th string is still just one octave.  Another approach would be to tune it like a tenor guitar or a mandolin, i.e. in 5ths, so maybe D A e b, (or some shift of that).  A lot of people love this, but I find it kind of annoying except on really short scale instruments.  YMMV.  And there could be E B e b.  The list goes on just about endlessly...

BTW, in your case, my tuning would correspond to E G# B e, which would fit your voice, and would be appropriate since, (I assume), you're using a longer scale length.

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


Discussion Forum

Mindbender (by Stiltwater)

Started by Charred Oct 26, 2021. 0 Replies

Chord charts for 3 string open tuning

Started by Michael Glenn. Last reply by BUGGSY Sep 25, 2021. 20 Replies

Pentatonic scale in GDG tuning

Started by BrianQ.. Last reply by BrianQ. Nov 13, 2019. 4 Replies

Confused with open E scales on a three string. Is there a lack of info for a reason?

Started by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear. Last reply by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear Apr 28, 2016. 11 Replies

The moment it starts to click.

Started by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear. Last reply by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear Mar 28, 2016. 20 Replies

Fat finger syndrome or just need to keep practicing?

Started by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear. Last reply by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear Feb 28, 2016. 13 Replies

Chord charts for 3 string gbe tuning

Started by Michael Glenn. Last reply by Wayfinder May 11, 2015. 5 Replies

Bad habits

Started by PinetreeJoe. Last reply by Tom T Dec 19, 2014. 12 Replies

hi

Started by Mal Chilvers. Last reply by Seasick Mick Aug 6, 2014. 1 Reply

free CBG lessons

Started by Rick McKeon. Last reply by Rick McKeon Jul 14, 2014. 6 Replies

Cigar Box Guitar Ideas for improving.......

Started by Joe Cribb. Last reply by Pete Turner May 22, 2014. 3 Replies

3 String Theory Charts and Tab Sheets

Started by Swamp Dawg Primal Music. Last reply by Joe Cribb Feb 4, 2014. 11 Replies

Keys please?

Started by Patrick Curley. Last reply by Joe Cribb Feb 4, 2014. 5 Replies

U2's Wild Honey

Started by Rob (Uker) Porras. Last reply by James Myers Jul 31, 2013. 1 Reply

tuning a 4 string

Started by Marcus P. Clarke. Last reply by Michael Recchione Feb 10, 2013. 1 Reply

To use....or not to use, thumb and finger picks?

Started by Keith Stanford. Last reply by Patrick Curley Jan 4, 2013. 3 Replies

songs to learn for a begginer.

Started by howling. Last reply by Patrick Curley Jan 4, 2013. 30 Replies

Latest Activity

Doug Thorsvik commented on AGP #'s photo
Thumbnail

AGP #527 - ''Led-Zep 2''

"This build really strung you along Alan! Reminded me of all my fishing line experiments; a lot of…"
1 hour ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

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

"Diggin’ the slow blues. I like that last pic Andries! Look at all those cool guitars. Yeah!!!"
1 hour ago
Dar Stellabotta posted a video

A Cigar Box Guitar Six Stringer Built by Louie Lamanna

This video is the unboxing and the demonstration of a beautiful, six stringer built by Louie Lamanna. Join Louie and I June 15 at the second annual Pittsburg...
2 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's video
Thumbnail

Hail the Resurrection Day: 2-String Violin Chugger Cigar Box Guitar

"Happy Easter to you too Andries! The passion is definitely in full swing. Turns out I’m…"
3 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on Doug Thorsvik's video
Thumbnail

Hail the Resurrection Day: 2-String Violin Chugger Cigar Box Guitar

"Happy Easter Doug ! the Passion is in full swing !"
3 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on Ricky D's photo
3 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
3 hours ago
Keith Rearick liked Doug Thorsvik's video
7 hours ago
Keith Rearick liked A.D.EKER's video
7 hours ago
Keith Rearick liked Doug Thorsvik's video
7 hours ago
Keith Rearick liked Ricky D's photo
7 hours ago
Keith Rearick liked Ricky D's photo
7 hours ago

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 -->