Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Thumper on August 15, 2015 at 5:19am

I vote for GDGB, it's pretty easy to pick out melodies as well as being a good all around open tuning.

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Permalink Reply by Thumper on August 15, 2015 at 5:20am

Oh wait, you asked about strings, I use the 4 middle strings out of a set of D'Adarrio mediums

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on August 15, 2015 at 6:31am

ADGB

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Permalink Reply by Gibby Fiddy Five on August 15, 2015 at 7:25am

Thanks fellers.

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on August 15, 2015 at 10:43am

DGBE is most versatile if you want to finger chord - like if you want to play guitar chords.   A turn on the small string tuner and you have an open G that you can finger chord- DGBD.  

If you want to play slide with a good low tone, then the low four tuned probably DADF#   or use the middle 5 like Thumper likes - also my fave for a low slide tone. 

My newest video is slide in GDGB.   Maybe check it out.   For DGBE, I have an older vid with my big box tenor guitar.

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Permalink Reply by Tom T on August 17, 2015 at 9:26am

John, are you saying to use the .056, .045, .035 and .026 strings tuned to DAdF#?

I like the idea of a lower toned 4-stringer.

Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on August 17, 2015 at 10:29am

Yup.  If you have a six string available tune the big four that way and loosen the small two so you can not really hear them.  Then try it to get an idea for the tone and playing.  

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Permalink Reply by Tom T on August 17, 2015 at 12:16pm

Excellent! I installed The four strings noted, tuned her up, plugged in and gave it a go. Very good sound. Four wound strings sound much better than the smaller two-wound, two-plain I had been using. It got rid of that high tenor tone that was very banjo-like. I'm using a piezo and it works well with the setup.

Thanks John! Good tip.

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on August 17, 2015 at 3:07pm

Good.   For slide, I prefer to use nickel core electric strings - but either work. 

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Permalink Reply by Blues Frog on August 17, 2015 at 3:16pm

using CB gitty string set on the resonator, DGBD .034, .026, .017, .013. works well with this setup.

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on August 19, 2015 at 1:45am

I did some experimenting last night on a DGBE build.  I already played it some in open G- DGBE. 

Then I tried it open C - CGCE.  Wow! first time for that and it sounded warm and good and plays just like a GDG 3 string or GDGB four string.  Same string relationships.  A really nice new trick to make a single instrument more fun and versatile.

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on August 19, 2015 at 1:56am

Just thinking.....  The answer to your question - which four string setup is most versatile....    My answer.  A fretted git that is still slideable.    Then for me the small four strings DGBE from a six string make that tuning, DGBD and CGCE and more - that's most versatile for me and my playing ability (disability?) and singing voice.

But I need second four using the middle strings (ADGB from a six string pack) version too.  It is a close second for me and sounds so fine using it as open G (GDGB) or for finger chording ADF#Bflat - then play it with finger positions like DGBE.  

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