Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Scott aka Farmer Ted on October 31, 2014 at 11:49am

Lots of choices. Simple rule of thumb, shorter scale, heavier strings needed when using standard steel strings. A good place to start is .032, .022, .017/.018, and .013. I have two tenor guitars I built that are 21" and 19.5" scale, and use the middle four strings from a standard set (ADGB). With the shorter scale length, I am able to bring each to pitch (DGBE) with a comfortable and playable string tension. Of course, you can tune the E down to a D to get the open G tuning you are looking for. Cheers, and good luck.

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Permalink Reply by David Ford on November 1, 2014 at 7:25am

Thanks Scott.

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Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on October 31, 2014 at 4:14pm

your scale length is around 2-3 frets shorter than a standard guitar...

so if you (temporarily) adjust each target note to compensate for that you can work out which guitar strings to use.  If in doubt hold it up against a regular guitar so the bridges line up.  Where is the nut? at fret 3 (on the regular guitar)? 5? etc.   work it out from there..

depending which octave you're shooting for id be looking at probably the low 4 from a 7 string set or 2-5 in a regular (light-ish) set.

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Permalink Reply by David Ford on November 1, 2014 at 7:25am

Thanks Phryg.

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Permalink Reply by David Ford on November 2, 2014 at 10:49am

So, do you mean, look at my shorter scale as though it was capoed on a longer scale, and work out what strings give me the desired notes at that location?

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Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on November 3, 2014 at 7:15am

Right on

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Permalink Reply by robert jones on November 3, 2014 at 6:39am

String Tension 101 - there is some information worth examining at this link.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on November 3, 2014 at 8:38am

Here is an article that may help too:

http://hcw3.com/?p=91

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Permalink Reply by David Ford on November 3, 2014 at 11:22pm

thank you guys.

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Permalink Reply by robert jones on November 4, 2014 at 4:29am

Hey Dan, be fun to put the ZOG guy and Scott Grove in a room together and lock the door.

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Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on November 4, 2014 at 8:56am

OH man I looove Scott Grove that guy is hilarious

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Permalink Reply by robert jones on November 4, 2014 at 3:37pm

How about Patrick Costello, the banjo guy?

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