Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Yellowbelly Flatt on October 30, 2012 at 6:29am

As a 4 string (delta) blues player I can at least get you started.

The first thing is to tune the instrument so that the 3 strings play a chord and the strings are arranged so that a riff or medley can be played.

Often cigar box players tune the top and bottom strings to the note D. The lower D being an octave below the top string. The middle string is tuned to the note of A somewhere between the low D and the high D.

As a 12 bar blues will consist of 3 chords it is so convenient that the open notes suggest a chord of D ( I prefer 4 strings because that is a chord as 3 notes ate needed for a full chord. The 5th fret now suggests the chord of G and the 7th fret suggests the chord of A. These are the 3 chords you need for a delta blues song.

It is also convenient that the 12th fret also is a D chord.

So start strumming or picking the open strings the do the same with a slide or bottle neck covering the 5th fret and also the 7th fret . You are playing the blues. Try substituting the bottle neck over the 12 th fret rather than the open strings for variation and 'mess about@ to find a riff of your liking.

If you would rather play without a slide there are chords available in a more conventional - putting fingers on the neck- style. There will be all sorts of people willing to add to this really basis beginners info but learn to walk before you start to run.

By the way - buying is a personal thing. I build my own 4 string guitars. Both the guitars you have looked at are great. Without frets you are really limited to playing with a slide.

Permalink Reply by Nicholas Lang on October 30, 2012 at 6:34am

Thanks for replying, I will definately be wanting to learn to play with a slide for sure,

any thoughts on a CBG either the ones I listed or others? Is it night and day between guitars or is it more of a subtle difference?

Also is there a major difference between fretted and unfretted? for a begginer of course.

Permalink Reply by Jamie MacBlues on October 30, 2012 at 6:40am

Unfretted usually for slide, higher action (are exceptions). Fretted usually imply that the guitar can be played with the fingers (fretted), as well as slide (even if action is still a bit high).

Unfretted gitars sometimes have fret markers, dots etc. But maybe fretted better for you starting off. Also, Nick, you WILL find yerself getting MORE gitars  eventually  (believe ME!), so plenty of time to aquire "different" models (unfretted etc) later. Frets friends to beginners :)

Permalink Reply by Yellowbelly Flatt on October 30, 2012 at 6:50am

Either of the guitars that you have looked at are fine and choice - on looks alone - is difficult and a very personal thing. The sound can be day and night.

A fretted guitar means that it is so much easier to play in a conventional style - like you would see most guitarists you will see playing. Some form of fret marking is really useful for slide playing, specially for a starter.

Check out e-bay for instruments or attend a 'Chickenbone John' workshop session and build your own for about £20. Have a look at the homegrown music web page.

Permalink Reply by Nicholas Lang on October 30, 2012 at 6:57am

Thanks fella,

It's the sound I was figuring would be different from one CBG to another and I guessing it's the stringinging that makes the big difference I have been listening to a lot of open G tuned guitars (online)and they seem to give a lovely free sound.

Permalink Reply by Yellowbelly Flatt on October 30, 2012 at 7:07am

Yes, I usually use the open G tuning on my 4 string' (this is often referred to Spanish tuning by slide players).

I have just walked through the house and realised that I have a really, really basic electric/ acoustic 3 stringer in the key of G (Vestapol i.e.G D G) I use D G B D on my 4 string tuned Spanish

Permalink Reply by Jamie MacBlues on October 30, 2012 at 6:32am

The two guys you name are good builders, and site members also. Three string gitar probably best , as no matter lots of us guys eventually buy "other string combinations", ah think we ALL have the good old trusty 3 string ready to pluck. Not a builder myself, I just BUY! lol But you can get a three sreing  a LOT cheaper than £100, (E bay etc); but you get what you pay for. Most cheaper ones have VERY high action, just suitable for slide and slide only. If you want  a lower action (for fingers AND slide), then £100 good price range. BWelcome to site, btw, Nick :)

Permalink Reply by Nicholas Lang on October 30, 2012 at 7:01am

Thanks ever so much, it's a bit daunting looking for a guitar, especially as I've not played an instrument since "three blind mice" on the recorder!!!!!

 

I'm quite excited and want to make sure I get something right first time. I know what you mean about ending up with more though.....I started out with a few chickens and now seem to have collected a bloody flock!!!! so I expect the wife will complain I've started collecting something else now!!

Permalink Reply by Jamie MacBlues on October 30, 2012 at 6:33am

btw, jabes, in Wales (see you there too), is a good builder :)

Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on October 30, 2012 at 7:07am

I'll express an opinion and declare an interest.  I make cigarbox guitars (458 of 'em and counting) and play live with them too, so can give you plenty of reasons to buy one of my guitars, BUT I'd rather save you from potential frustration and from wasting your money.

Despite you saying you want to play slide, I'd always tell beginners to buy a fretted guitar...there's more to playing slide than just sliding, and it's really important to be able to fret notes for chords, bass runs etc. With a fretless guitar all that stuff is a lot harder (or impossible on some guitars) unless you have a really low action (ie pretty much like a regular acoustic or electric guitar).   If you get a fretless guitar, it will limit what you can do with it...for long term use and for more fun..I'd go with a fretted instrument.

For £100 it's unlikely that you'll get a well-made and properly playable fretted guitar...I'm afraid a lot of people get put off by buying something cheap off eBay that neither plays well nor sounds decent...it' s a bit of a crap shoot as to what you might get. One thing you really risk with guitars like these - and I see it time and time again on eBay - is that it's obvious that some of these makers can't play for toffee and have little real-world experience of making guitars to be played rather than just as a novelty, and so really don't know what needs to go into making an easy-to play instrument.

If money is really tight, you're better off making your own simple fretless 3 string just to get you going, like the ones we make with the Home Grown Music Collective kit. 

Good luck, and and I'm sure you'll get plenty of advice on here.

Permalink Reply by Nicholas Lang on October 30, 2012 at 7:25am

Thanks fella,

Funny enough I was lookin' at your website today. Defiinately more willing to spend a bit more if it's gonna give me a more playable guitar. No point shelling out for a decorative lump of wood that aint no good to man nor beast eh!

 

So are you busy makin' at the moment?

 

Permalink Reply by lhos on October 30, 2012 at 7:32am

Hi Nick,

I can build one for you if you would like?

I have a nice selection of boxes, two successful builds under my belt one of those commissioned.

And another two or three on the go..

I live in Devon, give me a shout if interested...would be less than £100.

All the best 

Lhos

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