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Almost All 5ths Tuned Guitar
https://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=45767
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Author:  Pat Hawley [ Sat May 23, 2015 8:40 am ]
Post subject:  Almost All 5ths Tuned Guitar

I've mentioned this guitar in previous posts and was asked to post a picture of it when it is done. So here's a short video of Lucas Haneman playing a guitar I built that was meant to be tuned in all 5ths open strings. It's got that "crazy" 26" - 23" scale fan fretting. So far, I've only been able to reach an A# on the high string but I think there are strings out there that will be able to reach the B on the 23" scale. This guitar is also my first attempt at a contoured cutaway. I found that tricky to get the sides clamped accurately into the form while I twisted the cutaway part of the side to follow the tapered inside heel block. However, it worked out in the end. Thanks for looking.

https://youtu.be/CyxL2ODUAfk

Pat

Author:  Chris Pile [ Sat May 23, 2015 9:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost All 5ths Tuned Guitar

Is that similar to New Standard Tuning used on the Guitar Craft classes?

Author:  Clay S. [ Sat May 23, 2015 9:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost All 5ths Tuned Guitar

Nice guitar Pat!
Lucas seems to be very comfortable with that tuning.

Author:  Pat Hawley [ Sat May 23, 2015 9:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost All 5ths Tuned Guitar

New standard tuning has the first five strings tuned in fifths but the six string only a third higher than the fifth string, i.e. the tuning is C2-G2-D3-A3-E4-G4. At the moment, I've got the sixth string tuned up a fourth higher than the 5th, i.e. at A4.

Pat

Author:  SteveSmith [ Sat May 23, 2015 9:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost All 5ths Tuned Guitar

That's cool; I really like the look of the guitar with the fanned frets and severely skewed bridge. Just has a nice wow factor for the viewer and it sounds great [:Y:] I'd love to try playing it just to see what it's like. After playing for almost 50 years I've never played a fan fret guitar. Maybe I'll just build one and try it.

Author:  Heath Blair [ Sat May 23, 2015 11:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost All 5ths Tuned Guitar

I love the sound and now... I. Must. Build. One.

Author:  PeterF [ Sat May 23, 2015 3:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost All 5ths Tuned Guitar

Very interesting guitar! What gave you the idea for that tuning? Is there a certain type of music that is easier to play on it?

Author:  Pat Hawley [ Sat May 23, 2015 5:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost All 5ths Tuned Guitar

I have to admit the tuning wasn't my idea, it was what the client wanted.
Pat

Author:  Clay S. [ Sat May 23, 2015 10:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost All 5ths Tuned Guitar

Many instruments are tuned in fifths - fiddles, cellos, mandolins, tenor guitars and tenor banjos (and sometimes the plectrum guitar). Changing from one key to another can be effected by moving up or down a string or two, but otherwise keeping the fingering the same.
With minor re-tuning you can go to a more open tuning (DGdad'a' for example).

Author:  Durero [ Sat May 23, 2015 10:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost All 5ths Tuned Guitar

Sounds great!

Nice build :)

Author:  Andrew Berry [ Sat Jul 18, 2015 1:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost All 5ths Tuned Guitar

I started playing mandolin first so I always tune my guitars as close to fifths as I can get. I'm still working on building a fan fret so I can get a full six strings in fifths with some degree of reasonableness. I have a Fender Mustang with the 23.5" scale and I have no trouble getting a string to the high B. The low C is horrible, though.

So, Pat, the high B is possible on yours without going with custom strings. I think I used .008.

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