Comment

Comment by Mark Bliss on October 29, 2016 at 1:49am

Dani, or Bear, (never certain.....)

The longer scale length, all else being equal- would have more tension.

The tension is a function of scale length, string gauge and tuning pitch.

In the example of a typical 6 string of 25.5 inch scale using typical steel strings of .054 - 012" for example, you would have a cumulative tension of about 160 pounds. If you changed nothing but the scale length to 23.5" for example, tuned to the same pitch, you would have a little under 140 pounds of cumulative tension.

I think the answer you are looking for here, is that you would need to be aware that the longer neck combined with adding a fourth string would indeed create quite a bit more tension load.

Its a fairly simple calculation really.......

Comment by Jim Morris on October 29, 2016 at 1:37am

Generally speaking, longer neck means MORE tension to bring a string up to a certain pitch. That's assuming we're comparing same string gauges. I can't figure out percentages for this but using a lighter gauge string on a longer neck can approximate the same tension. I make my 3 and 4 string necks pretty much the same with either 24 or 25 1/2 inch scales and haven;t had any problems. On the 25 1/2 I often use slightly lighter strings. More for the feel than for concerns about the neck.

Comment by Scott Ross on October 29, 2016 at 1:32am

You ideally want 15 lbs. of string tension on all CBG strings regardless of scale length, which is a matter of having the right string gauges for you scale length. Here's a link to a string calculator. Enter the length, the desired tension (15 lbs.) and the note and octave the string will be tuned. (For instance standard GDG tuning is G2,D3,G3). You will then get the desired string gauge you need for proper tension (15lbs.) at that scale length with that particular tuning. You can then buy those gauges in bulk from juststrings.com. Nickle wound and plain steel work really well on all CBGs, even acoustic. But, of course even if you prefer another type of string, the gauge is what's most important for maintaining proper neck tension and maximizing sound. By the way, I learned all of that from a professional luthier that I had do some custom builds for me. (G.S. Monroe), I applied the string calculator to my entire CBG collection and putting the "proper gauges" on improved the sound and playability of every single instrument.  Guitar String Calculator

Comment by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on October 29, 2016 at 12:36am

Hey all. I've got a quick question on something. Can someone please confirm that a longer scale length means less string tension? Or is it the opposite and I've got things mixed up? If I'm right, does less string tension mean less stress on the neck at longer scale lengths? Could someone put the less tension into a percentage? Could I use the same thickness neck from a three string for a longer scale four string for example? I appreciate any help you've all got to give. Cheers.

Comment by David Clewell on October 28, 2016 at 11:03am

Good looking CBG. Nice job Scott.

Comment by Fomhorach on October 28, 2016 at 10:03am

Did we?

Nice guitar.

Comment by Thomas "Duck" Petry on October 28, 2016 at 9:20am

Very nice build Scott!  Glad I'm getting some of the credit even if I didn't do any of the work.  It actually looks much better than most of mine.

Comment by Scott Ross on October 28, 2016 at 8:52am

This is the kit build you guys helped me with earlier this week. Thanks again.  :)

Comment by Thomas "Duck" Petry on October 27, 2016 at 9:41am

Yup.

Comment by Paul Craig on October 27, 2016 at 6:48am

Right, bring plenty of hooch and snacks.

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