Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on March 11, 2011 at 10:07am

Nice build.

For me, the choice is based mainly on the tuning.

3 string works really nice with a 151 tuning. I use GDg (Open G no 3rd) tuning that is easily retuned to ADf# (Open D tuning) and ADf (Open D minor). On my fretless, I like EBe.

4 string offers a mini 6 string tuning (Open G tuning DGDgbd) reduced down to Dgbd.

Actually these two CBGs compliment each other. The 3 string is the bottom (GDg) and the 4 string is the top (Dgbd) of a full 6 string tuning DGDgbd.

It all comes down to how you want your CBG to Function. Then you build the Form.

If you like to play in standard tuning, reducing down to Dgbe might be applicable.

I hope this helps. Enjoy.  

 

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Permalink Reply by Josh Gayou (SmokehouseGuitars) on March 11, 2011 at 10:32am

Three string is a bit easier to play, giving you access to the simplest of chords.  These are easy to tune to an open power chord and you can get quite a bit of versatility out of them without being overwhelmed.  Four strings introduce tonality into your playing (major and minor chords).  A benefit to a four stringer is that you can remove one of the strings if you'd like to improve your three string licks.  6 strings will be the easiest to use if you want to learn traditional songs and well known pieces from books (guitar tabs) as these are almost always written with a six string instrument in mind.

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Permalink Reply by Richard G Caudill on March 11, 2011 at 10:44am

a question about the tunings,,,   I see u say part of it in capital letter and part in lower case ,, how does that work on a tuner ??  the capitol to concert pitch   then where,or how,to get the lowercase   ??  I too, am new and need help on this

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Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on March 11, 2011 at 11:22am

I just use Capitol letters for the thicker wound bass strings, and lower case letters for the plain steel strings.

Here is a video you might find informative in regards to string gauge and tuning:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLGnnF-TIbY&feature=channel_vide...

Please feel free to write if you have any further questions.

Enjoy.

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Permalink Reply by Richard G Caudill on March 11, 2011 at 3:26pm

ok!    Thought i was missing something ,, I'm cool ,, tks for the answer

Keni Lee Burgess said:

I just use Capitol letters for the thicker wound bass strings, and lower case letters for the plain steel strings.

Here is a video you might find informative in regards to string gauge and tuning:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLGnnF-TIbY&feature=channel_vide...

Please feel free to write if you have any further questions.

Enjoy.

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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on March 11, 2011 at 7:51pm

I make 3, 4 and 6 strings, and keep coming back to the 3 string as my favorite, you can use G -D -G tuning, or tune it lower with the same internals and go fretless, or use G - B -D (top 3 of open G slide tuning). As Kenny says, 4 string works well as a cut-down open G tuning (cool for Keef Richards stuff) , and you can also put it in tenor banjo tuning (or the equivalent, using 5ths rather than the 4ths between strings of a regular guitar tuning).

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Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on March 13, 2011 at 1:21pm

a really strong option a lot of people overlook is a 5 string.  I love em! You can take a regular set of guitar strings, ditch the 3rd string, and tune 15151.  I usually go G, so its GDGdg at 600mm.   This is a really great tuning, 3 string guitar but MORE...  Ive done a few of these and i later learned its a fav tuning of Ben Harpers too

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