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Using those spare strings

Shoot me down if that has been covered before...

I have just re-strung my CBG with strings 5-4-3, tuned to GDG. Which leaves me with the other three strings from the set, low E, and high B & E. I know EBE is another fairly common tuning, but not (as far as I know) with a 2 octave span. If I had another guitar I would give it a go, but does anyone do it?

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Permalink Reply by Yankee Dog on January 24, 2014 at 7:17am

you could use 1-2 for a 2 stringer. and the 6th for a diddly bow.

Local bluesmans has a three stinger set up with a low. low base string and two high strings. even runs seperate pickups and amps. awsome sound

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Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on January 24, 2014 at 9:23am

I used the two low strings to make a30" scale fretless bass cbg for a friend. The intent was to go get bass strings, but he liked it so much we never bothered.

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Permalink Reply by Bad Finger (Eric) on January 24, 2014 at 9:33am

Here's what I've done and what I've thought about, but not done:

EADG strings tuned DGdg or DAda. Both work equally well and will allow a person used to 3 strings to get an extra base or treble note out of the guitar.

What I've thought about is building a specific guitar with the Ebe strings that are left over and calling it Mr. Lou a play on Miserlou which uses those 3 strings exclusively. I have a hole amped up reverby plan in mind, but haven't built it yet.

The 6 string makes for great Diddley bows. The 1 and 2 string would be great for canjos.

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Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on January 24, 2014 at 9:49am

i just send them with the guitar .. they can do what ever they want with em ..

ie;

3 diddlys ,

a 2 stringer , and one diddly

etc ..

or make a bracelet ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on January 24, 2014 at 10:05am

Why not try that E-B-E combo? I think there is a vid I remember seeing, maybe of Super Chikan, where the leftover strings are used for that tuning. If it hasn't been done (which I doubt, CBGers being inveterate tinkerers), stake your claim now! Build another git and use it. You could also use it for DAD, or even, maybe just barely, DGD. Give it a shot, what do you have to lose? Or make a triple wound bracelet, like pick suggests. Try braiding them. Or even better, use them as sympathetic strings inside your current build. Or use them outside to string up bits of glass or beer bottles for a wind chime.

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Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on January 24, 2014 at 11:07am

I saw a vid where somebody cut up the low strings into 6" - 8" lengths, used a spring clip to hold them bent against a box lid and they worked like a snare spring . . .

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on January 24, 2014 at 4:29pm

There ya go! And now I know what to use for the snare inside my cajon build. Was gonna use twisted rubber bands, but excess / old strings is waaaay better. Thanks, John, for that tidbit.

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Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on January 24, 2014 at 7:31pm

Check the video at 1:07

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xgeViflAV8

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Permalink Reply by Jim Woods on February 7, 2014 at 5:53pm

I tried that in my Cajon, but it was hard getting any tension on the skin. I would up buying a cheap snare (maybe $5) and cut it in half. screwed it to a rotating dowell for adjustment.