I finished my first (4 string) CBG and it seems to have gone pretty well. I strung it up and tuned it to open G, with strings I got from Gitty for open G/standard. I figured out there are 2 open G's, and have it tuned to the correct one: DGBD.

So, here is the issue. It sounds great strummed open, but finger any fret on any string and I can't get it to hit on the right note. I've checked the scale length and the position of the 12th fret multiple times, and they're spot on at 24" and 12" respectively. I've also moved the bridge in both directions, a little at a time and retuned.

Initially, I thought I had the strings too high and was stretching them too much when fingering against the fret. I was able to drop the bridge about 2mm, and the slots in the nut about 1.5mm, and it's easier to press the string to the fret, but I still have the same issue.

Is it possible the strings are crapped out from being stretched/adjusted too much? Are these strings from Gitty not ideal, since they seem to be a "one size fits both"? I realize the high string is only one full note difference, D instead of E, so it shouldn't be too far off--and that has no bearing n the other 3 strings. Any thoughts or advice?

Thanks, Brad

Views: 683

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Steel strings are a lot stronger than you think, the middle 4 on a standard electric guitar will work best on a CBG as it is best not to have them too tight and will over strain the neck, also try GDGb tuning.

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/four-string-cigar-box-guitars

Thanks,

That GDGB tuning was what I wanted, but I ordered these, not knowing there were more than one "open Gs". I was told my B string wouldn't like being stretched to the high G. It doesn't matter, these just developed a buzz at the tail end, due to the twisted end loosening up from repeatedly fooling with it. I have a standard set of 6 strings here that I'll use for that tuning.

And, thanks--I joined that group.

Brad

 You might be getting the buzz from the nut slots they are very deep , I'd file them down so that the string sits half in out half out of the nut slot .

That's good advice...9 times out of 10 the buzz is coming from the nut. If it buzzes when fretted, it could be the bridge or the string hitting a fret. When you file out your nut slots, make a slope that goes back towards the headstock, so the string is just resting on one small surface at the very point where the nut joins the fretboard. If the string is in contact with the full 6mm (or whatever) of the depth of the nut it's very likely to buzz.

 Thanks Richey I forgot to add that point , it might also something to do with your tuning problem if the string is sitting in the middle of the nut it'll mean your scale length is out a bit , so a Richey said the break point of the string over the nut needs to be on the face of the nut exactly the same as the bridge saddle .

Thanks Richey and Capo.

I had taken note to be sure the strings were coming right off the "scale" side, so that the scale measurement starts precisely at the nut. And, when I got up this morning I strung up new strings to tune it to GBGD, and still had the buzz--I figured out exactly what you're describing. The slots are deep and straight, without enough taper biased towards the tuning pegs.

Easy enough fix--I got lazy and just cut those deeper to see if I could address the tuning issue. Now I'll measure it all up and make a new, lower nut that will allow me to remove the hokey shim.

Thanks everyone, for the feedback. It's given me a clearer understanding of the what/how/why of guitar set-up, and a basis for trouble shooting future issues.

Spent some time making noise this morning...

Thanks, Brad

Thats what I like to hear Brad, glad you've got it sorted, now have fun playing it, it's a beauty!

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


Forum

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 21. 11 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

How to Get Your Own Music on Spotify

Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 21. 2 Replies

CB Bass Guitar

Started by Mi Rankin in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Justin Stanchfield Jan 27. 5 Replies

Latest Activity

A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

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

"Thank you Poorness ! for loving it ! appreciated!"
10 hours ago
Southern Ray replied to Timothy Hunter's discussion just came accross this pickup idea on youtube.
" Very interesting. Thank you Timothy!"
10 hours ago
Kent Thurston updated their profile
11 hours ago
Southern Ray posted a photo

Punch Project!

She now sports gold metal CBGitty knobs, speaker and an Artec 2.5 watt speaker. Finished this in…
11 hours ago
Southern Ray posted a photo

Project Punch!

Gonna finally get back on this long-delayed project that is more than half complete. (The matching…
12 hours ago
Poorness Studios liked A.D.EKER's video
14 hours ago
BrianQ. left a comment for Rob (Uker) Porras
"Hope this helps?"
14 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Dueling Flatheads

"I appreciate the kind words Papa D! I have always loved the look of these cigar boxes. Glad to have…"
16 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
20 hours ago
A.D.EKER posted a video

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

The recorded History By Alan Lomax for the library of Congres of the Blues, from Mc Kinley Morganfield (Aka Muddy Waters) the in this take recorded Tribute ...
20 hours ago
Papa D commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Dueling Flatheads

"Beautiful..Nice work Doug.."
yesterday
Papa D commented on Papa D's photo
Thumbnail

american1 Sun Glo

"Thanx AGP & Doug..  4 more coming soon"
yesterday

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 -->