After reading multiple posts and experimenting on the Cbgs I built I have a couple of questions about strings.
Electric or accoustic strings for a amplified CBG?
Reccomended string type for fretted. What gauge ( string 3,4,5?)
Reccomended string type for fretless?
Ive tried different combinations snd wondered what the genersl consensus is.
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It's not particularly helpful to just refer to string gauges as 3,4,5 etc, you really need to get to grips with the actual string gauges (usually quoted as thousandths of an inch). There's a huge variation in stock sizes, a 3rd or "G" from a 6 string set being anything from as light as a plain .014 to as heavy as a wound .027.
For magnetic pickups, nickel wound are generally considered most suitable, for piezo pickup, bronze or nickelwound.
As the majority of posts I have read refer to the strings by number I used that. I also asked for the preffered gauge. Having been playing for a number of years I am conversant with the actual string nomleclature.
The posts usally refer to useing A, D, G strings or ADB. I was wondering what the consensus was on the best combination and the gauges for amplified versus acoustic.
I have tried both electric and acoustic strings on a CBG with a piezo pickup. I am currently building one with a humbucker in it. Your advice is noted and nicklewound it shall be.
cheers
Wayfinder. Open hole CBG with a piezo pickup. I am tuned to GDG and have been useing the D string from an electric set and have experimented with the accoustic strings as well as the leftovers..... What I have been using is the A, D, G strings mostly from various sets.
My issue is that the D string from a 9 or a 10 gauge set sounds dead. I havent found anything that brings it to life. I even tried other tunings.
As you said this is the question of the day.......lol thanks for the reccomendations.
So Lets simplify it for my current build. Humbucker CBG, tuned GDG fretless for slide. Whats everybodys preference.?
Hey Oily - what do you mean by "12's" - I also prefer 25.5" scale and I'm still on the hunt!!
I got this one.
string set - .012 gauge high e
(needs calluses to go along with strong fingers for bending) ; )
Oily, 12s are too thick for me... Having played electric ( mostly metal in the distant past) I stuck with 9's or 10's. Never lost my devotion to GHS bomers..... Having moved onto blues a couple of decades ago maybe its time to revisit string gauge.....lol
I cant imagine playing 12s....made me think of the really thick strings SRV used......puts you in good company :-)
Scale length is Strat is 25.5 on my CBG, s
On his excellent “Understanding Three String Blues and Slide Cigar Box Guitar” DVD, John McNair @ reddogguitars.com recommends using medium acoustic strings (13’s). He says he prefers ‘em because of the volume they produce when the cbg isn’t plugged in, and because “they sound much better than electric guitar strings even if I have an electric guitar pickup.”
As always, YMMV. ^^
Hey Jim - Hey, another C'najun!! I still fight with this thing. I seem to buy the 3 string sets from CB Gitty but then tune them completely different. I also don't like to tune down the "thick" string - it goes dead. I'm building a little one (20") for my granddaughter now that I'm going to fool around with nylon uke strings. She's almost three and I built her one with one string but she tries to play it and she brings it to me and tells me it's "broke" with just one string.
If I ever find the perfect combination I'll be one happy builder!!! :-)
Greetings fellow canuck! Nice to see other Canadians here. Sounds like you have experienced the same dead string issue. Good luck with the next build.
An off topic question, do you find it hard to get/locate cigar boxes?I built my first 2 from a box I got from an Antique dealer and the next from a garage sale..... I have since had a bunch given to me but large boxes are hard to find.
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