Hey there folks,
I'm a total newbie when it comes to building and playing (if you can even call it that) CBG's. I have just completed a 3-string guitar. I have it strung up and tuned to open G (GDG). But, the strings I have on there are all too high pitched for my liking.
What gauge strings should I use to get a good bluesy sound out of my guitar?
I have just bought a couple packs of Ernie Ball strings and I'm not sure which ones to use. I plan on experimenting with some different combinations, but I thought some of you on here might have some pointers on where I should start. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Groucho
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that's strung kinda light. What gauges are the strings in the pack? Is it a medium set of acoustic strings?
You might want to try something @ .32 .24 .16 or if you want all wound somewhere @ .42 .32 .24
I'm not exactly sure what I've got on there now.
I have one pack of "Regular Slinky" strings that are 10/13/17/26/36/46 and the other is "Beefy Slinky" 11/15/22/30/42/54.
I'll probably start with the Beefy 42/30/22. Thanks!
The strings you have on there might sound better tuned GBD by the way...
DGDGBD, D(GDG)BD, DG(DGB)D, DGD(GBD)
It's 25.5" from bridge to nut. Thanks for the help.
I love your bridge/saddle with the hinge over top. You could see that on my next build! Thanks
you can buy strings singly on ebay, use Ernieball slinkys 32-24-16 (-:
Don't buy packs of strings, buy singles to get the exact gauges you need. 042, 032, 024 - that will get you a deep growly sound with G- D - G if you are on a regular-ish guitar scale.
Some people poopoo online string calculators but I've had some good success with them.
Standard guitar tuning, low to high is E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4 (middle C on a piano is C4).
on http://wahiduddin.net/calc/calc_guitar_string.htm
You can input your scale length, the note you want in the octave you want and even desired string tension (I like 16lbs per string).
So a G2 with 16lbs of tension would be 0.03483 or around a 35, rounding up.
Rounding up (or down depending) a G2 D3 G3 set for a 25.5" scale at 16lbs tension would be:
.35 .23 .17 or thereabouts (which is around what a few have suggested)
Your mileage may vary.
If you want a lower sound, maybe go to DAD?
D2 A2 D3 : .46 .31 .23 (or thereabouts)
i get my strings at the guitar junkyard and can get em in singles. i use a w36, w26 and a plain 18. the A, D, and G strings if you buy in a pack of six. if you drop the A string down one step you have an open G tuning, but i leave it alone and tune the D and G string up one step so im in open A E A
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