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String choices for shorter scales

I've been building quite a few shorter scale guitars recently, mostly 23" scale, but just starting on a 21" scale guitar. I'm wondering if there is a formula or just string suggestions for these scales? If I use a recommended string diameter made for a standard scale, then do I size up or down for a shorter scale? I am building both 3 and 4-stringers. Here in Hawaii people seem to like the shorter scale - maybe because of the familiarity of the ukulele.

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Permalink Reply by Fomhorach on August 19, 2016 at 11:11am

If you put your instrument side by side with a normal scale guitar and line up the bridges, your nut position relative to the note that would be played on the guitar will give you a good idea of the tuning you can achieve on your instrument with strings at normal tension.

Of course strings can be tightened or loosened but this will give you a good idea where to start and generally how it will play.
It will also guide you from not overtigtening your trebble strings to destruction.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Zack on August 19, 2016 at 11:40am

Thanks. That sounds like good advice.

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Permalink Reply by darryl kernaghan on August 19, 2016 at 2:34pm

This may help Michael http://www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf

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Permalink Reply by Michael Zack on August 19, 2016 at 3:15pm

It may, once I figure out what they are talking about LOL! I think that this is ultimately the way to make string decisions, but it will take some time, and some wine, to figure it out.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on August 19, 2016 at 3:43pm

http://hcw3.com/?p=91

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Permalink Reply by Michael Zack on August 19, 2016 at 4:02pm

That was very informative. Now all I have to do is figure out how to adjust their suggested gauges for a 23" vs. 25" scale. I'll follow some of the included links and see if I come up with some ideas.

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Permalink Reply by The Bane on August 20, 2016 at 5:47am

There is a link on that page to another that allows you to enter scale, note, and light/medium/heavy gauge guitar to find out what string gauge is suggested and total tension.

Thank this is it

Don't know if that is what your shooting for or not...

Best,

The Bane

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Permalink Reply by Michael Zack on August 20, 2016 at 7:22am

Thanks, I also found that and am figuring it out. Meanwhile. here is a link to a Ry Cooder post that lists tenor guitar string sizes based on equal tension across the bridge: Tenor Guitar string tuning & gauges chart. Seems like this should get me pretty close for 23" scale CBG.

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Permalink Reply by Fomhorach on August 19, 2016 at 4:10pm

I look at it like this..

My guitars are made to bang so if it sounds rusty with wobbly strings that's just great.

I refuse to buy a high definition television because I don't have high definition eyes anymore.

If my guitar can play scale lengths by using a capo then I don't really need to refine that sound any more.
I wouldn't mind trying out some nylon strings on my short scale builds sometime just to vary the tone but I can live with what I got.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Zack on August 19, 2016 at 8:14pm

As I'm pretty new to CBG builds, I'm finding the endless possibilities fun to explore. I got lots of "what ifs" running thru my head. What if I tune a short scale (21") like a ukulele? Just wondering out loud.