Cigar Box Guitar - Understanding 4 String Cigar Box Guitar Tunings

A video to try to help you understand how 4 String cigar box guitar tunings 'work' and how you can use the knowledge that you already have of chords played on your 6 string guitar to help make an easier transition to playing 4 string CBG.

[@danfrankum2947]

great explaining with the whiteboard.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

The last tuning I used on my 4 String CBG before converting it into a 6 string was C, F, A, D which is Chicago Tuning lowered down a Step (e.g. C becomes Bb, D becomes C, etc.).

[@junkboxguitars2461]

As you can see from the comments, tuning options are endless ( like on a 6 string!) never a dull moment when open tunings are used! Major , minor. Modal. Endless!!

[@icebob8555]

I fell into four string banjo tuning by accident. like five years later I noticed that the rest of the cigar box world is tuned DGDB. I’m playing with a banjo player and learned some new chords also tons of banjo music available

[@74dartman13]

I've built a few 3 string cbg's, but never a 4 string. I've been thinking about trying a 4 string. Maybe my next project! Thanks for the lesson!👍😎🎸🎶

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

There are 6 String Cigar Box Guitars (5 & more string versions too) which are becoming more common these days, & why not a Nashville Tuned 6 String CBG?

[@jefkab]

Very interesting! The formula that i chose for my CBG 4 strings is the 4 middle strings used (ABGB) with an open G octave set up (GAGA), the "Mister GAGA" open set up!...but several others too.

[@paulfosbery6026]

Strings 'n Things! Always a fascinating subject, together with string gauges, for our 3/4-string Cigar Box Guitars! 3-string middle set, 0.44, 0.34, 0.26; 25" scale, 15 frets, tuned GDG. Take care. all

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

What about Half Step Down Tuning (Db, Gb, Bb, Eb)? G is now Gb, F is now E, etc.

[@BruceHowell-c2u]

I sure wished you would have shown the chords for the GDGB TUNING. I JUST. acquired one and need to learn the chords.

[@junkboxguitars2461]

Hope this helps:
Google Cigar Box Guitar 4 string chords… should find CigarBoxGuitarNation.com. Good resource, and they have chord charts available.
Regards, Dave

[@junkboxguitars2461]

Sorry: Learncigarboxguitar.com

[@robbiesadventurescom]

n you inform me on smantha fox 4string settings and effects used?

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

What about Semi Nashville Tuning? It's E, A, D, G, but the two top strings are up an Octave so it's now a 4 String with a 6 String range.

[@junkboxguitars2461]

That sounds an awesome idea!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@junkboxguitars2461 Of course, there are 5 & 6 String Cigar Box Guitars (even more strings too) which give you more flexability. There are Nashville Tuned Guitars (basically lowest 4 Strings an Octave higher, you can replace the B String with an Octave4Plus 6 Gauge High B for a brighter sound) which are basically 6 String Tenor Guitars (lowest 4 or 5 strings an Octave higher thanks to the Octave4Plus 6 Gauge high B to emulate a Tenor Guitar sound), & they're super popular in all types of Music from Rock, to Pop as an add on. A Nashville Tuned 6 String Cigar Box Guitar is like the missing piece.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@junkboxguitars2461 You can also tune a 6 String Cigar Box Guitar in 5ths thanks to the Octave4Plus 5ths Tuned String Set (use the lightest possible gauges they reccomend) which have a super strong 6 Gauge Plain Steel designed to tune to B4 (an Octave above the B String on a Standard Guitar).

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@junkboxguitars2461 Another idea, why not a 6 String Cigar Box Guitar in Raised B Tuning? Use Aquila 154C High B Tuning Strings for that tuning. It's basically Baritone Nashville Tuning with a High F# & B. With that tuning you can play David Matthews songs.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@junkboxguitars2461 Another one would be for a 6 String Cigar Box Guitar Raised B Tuning (Aquila 154C HIgh B Tuning Strings required) used famously by Dave Matthews.

[@danpugh9407]

You have any tuned like a ukulele

[@junkboxguitars2461]

Hi Dan, easy enough to tune one like a baritone uke. Low to high pitch= DGBE. This is like the highest for strings on a guitar, so any ukulele chords you know will still work. It will just put a tune you know into a different key. What you know as a G chord, for example is a D chord in this lower tuning. C is a G, etc.

[@danpugh9407]

@@junkboxguitars2461 I don't play baritone I mean normal soprano to concert size ukuleles and their tuning

[@paint4food911]

E D G B I have fun with

[@gotherecom]

For picking out melodies on my 3-string box guitar I use standard ABD tuning which are the standard 5 4 2 strings. Never mastered strumming or chords, or care to.