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Bridge position and string length for CBG

I have completed my first CBG build (3-string), and am now ready to learn how to play it.

I had the bridge close to the end of the box (an inch or two from the head). I tuned it to GDG.

However, I read in another post that the "distance from the nut to the 12th fret should equal the distance form the 12th fret to the bridge" - so I've moved the bridge up, this puts it about 1/3 of the way up the box and almost directly over the pizeo. Picture attached, along with one showing where I had it when originally tuned.

Does this rule/advice always hold true, or should I move the bridge further back? I am still to tune it to GDG with the bridge in the new position and see how it plays,

Just thought I'd ask and see what the consensus is!

Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Darren on December 18, 2016 at 6:37pm

Edit: Just tuned it up, to GDG again (D2, G3, D3 - is that right or should the top string be D4?). Sounds fine acoustically (although I'm no expert), haven't had a chance to try it with the pizeo with bridge in new position.

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Permalink Reply by JL on December 19, 2016 at 2:16am

Tuning to what sounds right to you and you enjoy playing is most important.

but I think your notation is a tad off, the numbers change at the C. Traditional 6 string tuning is E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4, 3 string GDG can be either a G2 D3 G3 or G3 D4 G4 depending on which strings you use.

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Permalink Reply by darryl kernaghan on December 18, 2016 at 7:14pm

Your pics don't really show the scale perspective very well, but, yes your bridge should be 2x distance of nut to 12th fret to the bridge, also, accoustically the bridge will probably be more effective about 1/3 from the end as you have it now, and the piezo being under the bridge is generally considered the best position for it, and many place it a little towards the bass side, when you tune it, star with the bridge at that position on the top string,[thinnest] adjust that till you get a g at open, and at 12, then do the same with the other 'g' string to get that to work you will maybe have to slant the bridge a little toward the tail on the bass string, and once that's done, just tune your 'd' string to open 'd' and you should be pretty close unless your action is very high which makes the tuning sharp when fretted

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Permalink Reply by Darren on December 18, 2016 at 8:15pm

Thanks Daryl for the reply and great explanation. Good to know the bridge seems to be in the right position now. I appreciate the tuning advice too, I've seen angled bridges but not why/how to get it right. Will play around with the tuning tonight, then hopefully learn to play!

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Permalink Reply by Jim Saraceno on December 19, 2016 at 3:08am

If it were a fretless guitar it wouldn't make any difference, however on a fretted guitar, the placement of the bridge is critical in order to get the correct intonation.
Here is a video that shows how to adjust the bridge (and nut) for correct intonation... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPTQmyNbwpY