#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

Cigar Box Nation is sponsored by C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply, your one-stop-shop for Cigar Box Guitar parts and accessories!

Your choice of string gauges?

I tried switching up things and went to lighter gauge strings. CB GITTY acoustic/med 13p. 17p.26w. I tune GDG. I use a scale lenght of 25 and 25.5. The 13 gauge cant get to G without breaking. I normally use 22,30 48 all wound.I 've never had luck with the lighter gauges.I usually buy an extra/light acoustic set and use the 3rd,4th and 5th string. I tried to go light to get a different sound but it doesnt seem to work.

0 members like this

Next Post >

Comment

You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!

Join Cigar Box Nation

Comment by Swamp Dawg Primal Music on January 6, 2013 at 2:48pm: I like Gitty's low (wound) GDG set, and other brands similar. If you're breaking strings, check the bridge and nut for defects, but maybe you just need to tune down instead of up, instead of GDG, try FCF.

Comment by Dinkydoo Magoo on January 5, 2013 at 11:03pm: I have been meaning to ask this question here as well. I play mainly on a three string, fretless guitar with a 25" scale. I have gravitated towards tuning the strings to GDG although it doesn't truly matter to me what the notes are provided they are "spaced" as 1-5-1 in intervals (GDG, DAD, B,F#,B... whatever). In keeping with the GDG theme I have tried .44, .34, .26 for a deeper, grittier sound and have had fun with that. The bassier sound of having all the strings being wound is neat but I would rather play on a set that has one wound and two plain steel such as a .26, .15, .10 or some similar combination. I am still looking not only for the right combo but am trying to keep in mind availabilty and pricing.

Comment by Sharecropper (Joel) on January 5, 2013 at 8:43pm: Hi , Battmann . I went to the CB Gitty site . The string gauges ,13 , 17 & 26 are meant to be tuned to G,B,D ( for a open G chord) or G,B,E (the last three strings of a guitar in standard tuning) . The G,B,D open tuning will change your sound ! I tune to GDG also and play mostly slide . I like med. gauge strings and would try some heavy strings if I could find some ! I use the 3rd,4th and 5th strings too, the gauges on the last acoustic set I used were 45,35,26 . I like the higher string tension that med. gauge strings have for "my" slide work !

Comment by Bluesheart on January 5, 2013 at 7:19pm: I use 10, 15, 30 and tune DAD. I think that may be the same intervals as the GDG so chord shaped would be the same, just in a different key I guess? They seem to work fine on 24-25.5" scales without breaking.

Comment by gary herget on January 5, 2013 at 6:24pm: the 13 gauge string will go to a G, but you have to sneak up on it. I use the 13 but take a couple of days to get it there, letting the string stretch and then relax between tunnings. Go slow if you can and you'll find it will work.