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Tuning and set-up issues

I finished my first (4 string) CBG and it seems to have gone pretty well. I strung it up and tuned it to open G, with strings I got from Gitty for open G/standard. I figured out there are 2 open G's, and have it tuned to the correct one: DGBD.

So, here is the issue. It sounds great strummed open, but finger any fret on any string and I can't get it to hit on the right note. I've checked the scale length and the position of the 12th fret multiple times, and they're spot on at 24" and 12" respectively. I've also moved the bridge in both directions, a little at a time and retuned.

Initially, I thought I had the strings too high and was stretching them too much when fingering against the fret. I was able to drop the bridge about 2mm, and the slots in the nut about 1.5mm, and it's easier to press the string to the fret, but I still have the same issue.

Is it possible the strings are crapped out from being stretched/adjusted too much? Are these strings from Gitty not ideal, since they seem to be a "one size fits both"? I realize the high string is only one full note difference, D instead of E, so it shouldn't be too far off--and that has no bearing n the other 3 strings. Any thoughts or advice?

Thanks, Brad

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Permalink Reply by Slowpaw Steve T on April 22, 2014 at 5:27am

Steel strings are a lot stronger than you think, the middle 4 on a standard electric guitar will work best on a CBG as it is best not to have them too tight and will over strain the neck, also try GDGb tuning.

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/four-string-cigar-box-guitars

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Permalink Reply by brdfrd on April 22, 2014 at 3:20pm

Thanks,

That GDGB tuning was what I wanted, but I ordered these, not knowing there were more than one "open Gs". I was told my B string wouldn't like being stretched to the high G. It doesn't matter, these just developed a buzz at the tail end, due to the twisted end loosening up from repeatedly fooling with it. I have a standard set of 6 strings here that I'll use for that tuning.

And, thanks--I joined that group.

Brad

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Permalink Reply by The Capo Kid on April 23, 2014 at 3:43am

You might be getting the buzz from the nut slots they are very deep , I'd file them down so that the string sits half in out half out of the nut slot .

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Permalink Reply by Richey Kay on April 23, 2014 at 3:52am

That's good advice...9 times out of 10 the buzz is coming from the nut. If it buzzes when fretted, it could be the bridge or the string hitting a fret. When you file out your nut slots, make a slope that goes back towards the headstock, so the string is just resting on one small surface at the very point where the nut joins the fretboard. If the string is in contact with the full 6mm (or whatever) of the depth of the nut it's very likely to buzz.

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Permalink Reply by The Capo Kid on April 23, 2014 at 4:31am

Thanks Richey I forgot to add that point , it might also something to do with your tuning problem if the string is sitting in the middle of the nut it'll mean your scale length is out a bit , so a Richey said the break point of the string over the nut needs to be on the face of the nut exactly the same as the bridge saddle .

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Permalink Reply by brdfrd on April 23, 2014 at 5:44am

Thanks Richey and Capo.

I had taken note to be sure the strings were coming right off the "scale" side, so that the scale measurement starts precisely at the nut. And, when I got up this morning I strung up new strings to tune it to GBGD, and still had the buzz--I figured out exactly what you're describing. The slots are deep and straight, without enough taper biased towards the tuning pegs.

Easy enough fix--I got lazy and just cut those deeper to see if I could address the tuning issue. Now I'll measure it all up and make a new, lower nut that will allow me to remove the hokey shim.

Thanks everyone, for the feedback. It's given me a clearer understanding of the what/how/why of guitar set-up, and a basis for trouble shooting future issues.

Spent some time making noise this morning...