Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on March 14, 2010 at 2:13am

PHssst! Hey kid, want some cool tunings? I'll give you a sample for free, but the rest will cost you.... (quote from the corner chord pusher)....hahahahahahahaha

jim said:

Would you all really like some cool tunings for the skinny little 4 strings? Let me know. Ill set ya up!

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Permalink Reply by Tom Lanford on March 14, 2010 at 4:30am

I always use a standard set of strings and just leave off both of the E strings (high & low) - Then I tune the guitar normally (A-D-G-B). This allows for standard playing and chords (just leaving the two E strings out of the mix) and by simply dropping the low A string down to a G, you can then have an open G chord for slide and such. I like it because it's easy to do and easy to play along with others. Also, you're just one string adjustment away from standard tuning to an open tuning at any time. I've also found that a standard Mandolin capo is handy for changing the above tunings in a flash. Hope this helps.

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Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on March 14, 2010 at 4:49am

Eric, I don't have much help on the tuning, but it sounds like you got alot of good advise. I checked out your pics and it looks good, just 2 tips. The bridge needs to be twisted to the opposite angel for correct, or close to correct intonation, youv'e got it backwards, no problem an easy fix. You can do a search on how intonation works, I can't explain it. Second tip. I can't tell how much angle the strings have at the headstock but you can add string trees behind the nut to hold them down more, then they wont pull out of the nut groves. Look at other pics to see how this works, also check out Fender strat or tele pics, they use them too.

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Permalink Reply by Tim Latham on March 15, 2010 at 2:46pm

Now this makes sense. I believe it will also take care of my kind of guitar playing. I’m just learning and there are some really good folks here that really know music. I never realized how complicated it could be. Now that I have built mine, it is exciting trying the different sounds that I have made come out of it. It is really fun playing around and choosing the special sound that I’m looking for. This Tuning blog has really been good gents. Thanks.
Also, thanks for all those who are willing to share all the knowledge and the shortcuts.
SURE IS FUN!


Tom Lanford said:

I always use a standard set of strings and just leave off both of the E strings (high & low) - Then I tune the guitar normally (A-D-G-B). This allows for standard playing and chords (just leaving the two E strings out of the mix) and by simply dropping the low A string down to a G, you can then have an open G chord for slide and such. I like it because it's easy to do and easy to play along with others. Also, you're just one string adjustment away from standard tuning to an open tuning at any time. I've also found that a standard Mandolin capo is handy for changing the above tunings in a flash. Hope this helps.

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