Ok, here's a question that I haven't found any answers for in the knowledge base; I'm interested in trying an FCF tuning. My CGB has a 21" scale length. Any thoughts on what strings I should use? I was thinking I could easily tune a low E string to F, a D string to C, and a G string down to F, but is the best way to go about it? Any suggestions? I have light and medium gauge acoustic strings on because I keep them for my 6 strings.

Views: 558

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Depends how much tension you like, what string material you like, if you plan on playing slide or fretting or both, and what octave you want to tune to. 

I like about 15lbs on each string for a happy medium between fretting and sliding , nickel plated strings and higher pitches on shorter scales so I would probably start by trying...

F3 0.024"w    C4 0.014"p   G4 0.010"p

Check out this string tension calculator.

Thank you for your insights.  I wasn't aware that there was any such thing as a string tension calculator , lol. I must admit that while I enjoy this site immensely I often find it difficult to navigate and find things on.

No problem Austin and yes, the search on CBN is pretty bad, usually 20 pages of things not related to what I'm looking for.  Instead of using the CBN search I use Google and it usually points me to the right info here. Lol

Lol, that's a good idea, I will probably start doing that.  Lots of great info and people on CBN, I just wish it was a little more user friendly.

So I decided to go with F2, C3, and F2. Ironically figured for 15 lbs. tension it's in the same ballpark as the GDG tuning I was using! Which is G2, D3, and G3. I like the punchy sound of the F2, and best of all I didn't have to change strings ! Now we'll see how well it stays in tune with this tuning.

You mean F2, C3, F3 right?

Lol, yes. That's what I thought I wrote.

Ok, thought you might have been going for a very bassy tuning.  : )

No but I'm thinking about trying F3, C4, F4 just to see what it sounds like. 

I've a Canjo tuned to FCF, good low growl in the tone. you're best bet (my experience anyway) is to Tune an A string down to F and combine that with the C tuned C string and F tuned G string. I'd go with heavier gauge strings to get a lower growl. It is just you standard open G tuned down to open F.

You mean a C tuned D string right? That's what I got going on, ADG tuned to F2, C3, F3. The strings I got on it now are light gauge but I will probably go heavier when I decide to change them. Thanks for the advice. 

I did mean C tuned D string, yes.

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Forum

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Apr 10. 14 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

Latest Activity

BrianQ. liked Gary O'slide's video
21 minutes ago
BrianQ. liked Poorness Studios's video
26 minutes ago
Poorness Studios liked Dogleg Steve's video
1 hour ago
Poorness Studios liked Dogleg Steve's video
1 hour ago
Gary O'slide posted videos
2 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on Poorness Studios's video
Thumbnail

David Bowie's Space Oddity (covered on guitar & Stylophone)

"Nice ly done Kale olthow whit verry minimal typecal Space odity effects, i know it was your Bowie…"
2 hours ago
Dogleg Steve posted a status
"Hey - I came runner up top 10 of the 2023 4th annual international CBG video playoffs!"
3 hours ago
Dogleg Steve posted videos
3 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Poorness Studios's video
Thumbnail

David Bowie's Space Oddity (covered on guitar & Stylophone)

"Wow! Well done Kale. Nailed it!!! You really captured the essence of the song and it’s…"
3 hours ago
Dogleg Steve posted a status
4 hours ago
Poorness Studios posted a video

David Bowie's Space Oddity (covered on guitar & Stylophone)

I've been meaning to do a cover of this since I got my David Bowie Stylophone last Christmas. This song is outside my vocal range and difficult to sing, but ...
5 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

There i was Standing at the ..... BCB - A. D. Eker 2024

"Thank you Keith for standing at the crossroads whit me for a while ! appriciated !"
6 hours ago

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->