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What strings to use ?

Posted by JIm Trussler on June 15, 2014 at 8:37am in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

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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Replies

  • Urban Bill June 18, 2014 at 10:55pm

    306305443?profile=RESIZE_480x480Guitar on the left:  ADG strings tuned GDG.  Ernie Ball strings (42, 30, 20w)

    Guitar on the right: AGE strings tuned AAE.  Ernie Ball strings (42, 22w, 12)

    Works great on the clean channel on a small solid state amp.  I've experienced zero dead string issues.

  • jeff maurer June 18, 2014 at 1:25am
    Ghs boomers. They are my favorite strings. I use a w36 w26 and p18( a d and g strings) I almost exclusively tune A E A but occasionally go down a half or whole step depending on what song I crank up on the stereo and jam to. Never had dead string issues. Acoustic bronze string will work with mag pups. I've put them on my electrics and my humbucker equipped cbg before just because someone told me it wouldn't work. I told this to the guy who owns the local repair shop in town and he told me that the reason they work with mag pups is because the core is steel. But hey use what ever you can get your hands on. I've seen cbgs that use mason twine or fishing line, and dont forget that way back in the day guys would use bailing wire or wire from screen doors. Copper wire is sold in many different guages also. Wonder what they would sound like. Maybe I should give it a try. Heck might even do a comparison test between bare wire vs insulated wire. Sometimes I ponder what would be the best strings to use on my air guitar. Any suggestions?
  • Slowpaw Steve T June 15, 2014 at 1:47pm

    i use ordinary electric guitar strings for best results - on a 25.5 inch scale fretted or unfretted the middle four in a set of six would be 36, 26, 17, 13 and can be bought singly. (-:

    • JIm Trussler > Slowpaw Steve T June 15, 2014 at 2:16pm

      Basically a set of 10's.Hmmmmm I tried that and have the dead D string issue..... Maybe I will try a set from another manufacturer.

      • Slowpaw Steve T > JIm Trussler June 15, 2014 at 2:51pm

        I found Ernie Ball work well enough with  open G tuning, ie GDGb,with no dead string issues, and they can be bought singly! (-;

  • jawbone June 15, 2014 at 10:31am

    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!!!  :-)

    • JIm Trussler > jawbone June 15, 2014 at 11:25am

      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.

      • jawbone > JIm Trussler June 15, 2014 at 12:42pm

        I don't use cigar boxes much - I don't like the paper covered ones at all. I like the designs and artwork but don't like to work with them. I build my own boxes. I might in the future attempt building my own box but use the top, just for the artwork.

        • Slowpaw Steve T > jawbone June 15, 2014 at 2:53pm

          I found most wooden cigar boxes work well,  paper covered or not...what problems did you have with them..? (-:

          • jawbone > Slowpaw Steve T June 15, 2014 at 9:59pm

            Hey Steve - I guess I just got used to building them, doing all the hole drilling, notching etc. before it was assembled - I get frustrated with curling, loosening paper. To be honest, I've only built two out of all wood cigar boxes, no paper covering and the rest (maybe 15 or so) have been my own boxes and a lot of those were Licence plate style. Plus I can't be bothered looking for them.

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