Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Oscar Stern on October 13, 2022 at 9:20am

Well you can convert a 3 String CBG into a 4 string by either adding a 4th string to the existing neck (which may require making some extra mods to it) or by replacing the neck. I'm planning on converting my 4 String Cigar Box Guitar into a 6 String (maybe a 7 String) by making a new neck for it. However it'll be wearing Nylon strings to keep the tension down & tuned to Open G (but down a Half step so Open G flat). I also wanted a Russian 7 String Guitar but they're very overpriced.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Timothy Hunter on October 15, 2022 at 12:21am

it all depends on how the 4 strings are tuned. you could tune it GDgd then just use the GDg and ignore/mute the d string. If you wanted to use all the strings then just play the same fret on the d as you are on the D string it will just add an octave note. Shane sometimes uses other tunings than GDg  .

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Oscar Stern on December 27, 2022 at 3:04pm

You'll really need a Special Conversion kit. The next idea I had was to convert my 4 String Cigar Box Guitar into a 6 (or maybe a 7) String cause I don't want to built a new instrument & get another Cigar Box, I wanted to simply swap the neck

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on February 1, 2023 at 12:29pm

Your 3 string guitar is usually tuned ( 1 - 5 - 1 )
The 1 is the root note of your chord and the 5 is the 5th note of the chord and the other 1 is the root note at a higher octave.

The 4 string is usually tuned ( 1 - 5 - 1 - 3 ).

Your choices are:
A: Keep the 3rd note string of your 4 string guitar tuned as is and add that note to the chord you are playing.
B: Mute the 3rd note string.
C: Tune the 3rd note string to a 5th note at a higher octive than the other 5th for a fuller 3 string tone.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Oscar Stern on February 1, 2023 at 12:41pm

I think C you'll get a much fuller sound. Well we could have a 7 String version tuned DGBDGBD like a Russian 7 String Guitar cause whatever yo do on the bottom 4 strings can be done on the top 4 as well. Converting a 4 string Cigar Box Guitar to support more strings might require making a new neck.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on February 1, 2023 at 1:00pm

Right.
I made a Baritone conversion neck and put it on a Strat. It has Dulcimer fretting, I call it the Ducitar. 6 strings at 28" scale.
It's tuned open C : C/G/C/B/C/C. You can play Bass chords on the 3 top - lower tuned strings, Baritone Guitar on the 4 bottom - high tuned strings or just fret the 2 - C strings while strumming the others for Dulcimer.
Takes awhile to get used to it, but it's fun.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Oscar Stern on February 12, 2023 at 2:33pm

Actually it's G not a B. Well Converting a 3 String CBG into a 4 String could be for if you want to advance to more Strings but you don't want to make a new instrument. It might save alot of money because you're simply rebuilding an instrument. I've modified my 4 String CBG (that I made w/ my Father) into a 6 String by making an attachment to widen the neck. It's a Sawtooth Profile so I had to sand it smooth. Because the neck was shorter & I ran out of really heavy gauge strings, I only had 7s available w/ me so I had to tune mine up a Minor Third from E Standard to High G Standard so yeah a Terz Guitar Conversion.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Oscar Stern on February 12, 2023 at 2:38pm

I was able to get away w/ John Pearse #450 Strings for my 4 String Conversion Cigar Box Guitar (it used to be a 3 String), but because the scale length is 2 inches longer than a Standard Tenor Guitar (which would be 23 inches) the GDAE Tuning (I use it to play Violin pieces down an Octave, I'm working on Vivaldi's 4 Seasons on Tenor Guitar in GDAE Tuning) sounded much more solid on the Low & High Ends.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Oscar Stern on February 12, 2023 at 2:44pm

J.N. Guitars made the Cask Guitars which are Cigar Box Tenor Guitars. They're also working on the 6 String Version called Cask VI:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3-uW_OAURg

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on February 14, 2023 at 12:36pm

You were right Oscar about that stated B being a G instead, my mix up.
All my 3 or 4 string CBG's have been 25" scale except for the last 2 I built were 24" scale.
Love those guitars you posted, they look great.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Oscar Stern on February 14, 2023 at 3:14pm

The JN Cask Cigar Box Tenor Guitars are perfect for Orchestral String players that wanna strum

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Oscar Stern on March 16, 2023 at 2:09pm

We would need to make a conversion kit because let's say you want a 4 string Cigar Box Guitar but you don't want to build a new instrument. Modifying an instrument could save you money.

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page