Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bluesheart on January 4, 2016 at 9:11am

The neck width will work fine, just reduce string to string distance so they fit and have a comfortable distance from the edge of the fingerboard. AS for tuning? Lots of options. If you use the 4,3,2,1 strings from a 6 string and tune them dgbe, you have baritone uke tuning, or standard guitar tuning less 2 strings. I have tried this thinking it would be "easy" to play since you can use guitar chords you already know. I find it is really kind of hard instead. BUT , if I drop the the e to d then have dgbd, that is a nice open tuning and works well with slide playing, blues etc. Maybe it is just me but every time a make a 4 stringer, it makes me realize why I like 3 stringers so much! Just depends on playing skill level I suppose.

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Permalink Reply by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on January 5, 2016 at 10:07am

Hi, Bluesheart.

Hope you don't mind me replying to your reply to Cliff, and Cliff I hope this isn't rude or seen as taking over your post, but I find your comment really helpful too. I'm on day one of perhaps 2 or 3 days total build of a 4-string myself. I think I'll try your DGBd suggestion with the 4, 3, 2, 1 strings. I like playing blues, or trying to, and slide is my passion of late, so your suggestion should work going by what you added elsewhere in your comment.

Thanks very much and thank you Cliff for starting this discussion. Much appreciated, both of you.

Dani :)

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Permalink Reply by David McQueen on January 4, 2016 at 10:07am

I can't tell you what is best, but I can tell you what I do.

1. I put the strings 3/8" apart.
2. Normally I just use the 1 1/2" neck width as it is. This summer I had some under dimension wood - 1 3/8". I squeezed the four strings in. It is the nicest feel of anything I have built. Note, I have small hands.
3. I use d'Addario XL Regular Light Gauge electric guitar strings. I have used various acoustic, acoustic/classical hybrid and electric strings. I find that I like these. I use the middle four strings. So,the high and low E are not used. The guages are 13 17 26 and 36.
4. Tuning used is GDGB. So it is the same as a standard guitar except the A string is tuned down to G.

Hope this helps.

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Permalink Reply by GlennB on January 4, 2016 at 11:30am

Hi Cliff,

I have to echo what both Bluesheart and David McQueen replied to your questions.  The 1 1/2" wide oak will be fine.  As for tuning and string gauges I've used several different combinations.  One example is the high four strings from a set of 11's for electric guitar (28-18-14-11) tuned dgbd.  Another is the middle four strings from a set of 9's (36-26-17-13) tuned gdgb.  The most recent 4-string I've built (finished 1-2-16, picture below) has a mishmash set from some loose strings I had on hand (36-26-18-16) tuned gdgb.  Try a few and see what you like. 

My last build uses a 4-string hard tail bridge from CBGitty (I had to drill holes in the back of the plate to make it a top loader).  I just measured the spacing between the string saddles at the bridge and found it to be 27/64", if that helps you with your design.  That only leaves about 1/8" between the outer strings and the edge of the fretboard, but I haven't had any trouble playing it.

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Permalink Reply by Tom T on January 4, 2016 at 12:39pm

The most common tuning and string sets from Gitty are Strings

They are .034, .026, .017, .013

Tuned to open G (D G B D)

That would be a good starting point.

The 1 1/2" neck will be wide enough.

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Permalink Reply by Jim Saraceno on January 5, 2016 at 5:34pm

I asked some of the same questions and received some really good answers... http://www.cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/any-pointers-on-a-4-stri...

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Permalink Reply by Cliff Kent on January 6, 2016 at 12:04am

Thank you all for your replies all have been a great help so planning to start my first 4 string build in the next few days.

Jim thanks for the link to your post I have read through that this morning lots of great information there also.

Thanks again everyone your brilliant posts are much appreciated

Cliff

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