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Post by earwighoney on May 7, 2015 17:28:57 GMT
I've been looking at some smaller bodied guitars and a few models in consideration have shorter scales of either 24.9" or 24.75" (around 630mm). All of my guitars have 650mm scales and I'm not really familiar with shorter scaled guitars that much.
I tend to spend the majority of time playing in CGCGCD, does anyone have a short scale guitar that they have in such a Open C tuning? I've tried a few short scale guitars in shops but they have always had lightish 12-52 strings on them and I imagine Open C on a short scale would require heavier strings and a higher saddle perhaps?
If anyone has a shorter scale guitar and uses Open C tunings I'd be interested in your thoughts.
Thanks.
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brianr2
C.O.G.
Posts: 3,071
My main instrument is: Brook Lyn guitar
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Post by brianr2 on May 7, 2015 18:19:41 GMT
I have a Fylde Alexander with a 24.75 inch scale, to accommodate my stubby fingers. It spends nearly all of its time in open/alternative tunings, including Open C and Will Ackerman's esoterica.
As I have elderly joints and weak (as well as stubby) fingers, I use Newtone Heritage low tension 12s. I play gentle fingerstyle and love the sound and the playability.
Brian
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davewhite
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Luthier
Aemulor et ambitiosior
Posts: 3,546
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Post by davewhite on May 7, 2015 18:44:15 GMT
Shubbs, Here's a video robbiej made on "Féileacán Taistealaí" the all Sapele Road Trip - 630mm scale length - guitar back in November 2011 in CGCGCD tuning: You can find his review here
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Welshruss
C.O.G.
Posts: 477
My main instrument is: Turnstone, Wandering Boy & Santa Cruz
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Post by Welshruss on May 7, 2015 21:55:56 GMT
I have no issues using open C on my shorter scale guitars. My ladder braced Collings Waterloo which has 24.75 scale sings in open C and I also am happy to tune down my Santa Cruz 00 also 24.75. I prefer CGCGCE as I'm finally figuring out Kensington Blues by Jack Rose and working out Missionery Ridge by William Tyler. Though on the flip side my go to guitar for C tuning is my 25.4 Bashkin 00.
For strings I'm a John Pearce 80/20 lights fan, though am currently road testing the new Santa Cruz low tension strings and really like them and have bought some Martin Mondels to try, no coated strings allowed.
Russ
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Post by earwighoney on May 7, 2015 22:34:07 GMT
Thanks for the replies.
Brian, good to hear you have success with Newtone Heritage strings with your Fylde. What is Will Ackerman's Esoterica?
Fine sounding guitar Dave, it's relative (Guild M20) of sorts is one that I am considering.
Welshruss, great to see a mention of Jack Rose! Jack Rose is pretty much why I got into playing the acoustic guitar, good to see his name mentione I just had a look on YT today to see Kensington Blues (there's a tab of it on Delta Slider if you need).d. I'm in agreement about JP 80/20's, with Newtones they are my favourite 80/20's. Coated strings are indeed a no. How's the Waterloo treating you? The ladder braced one is a wonderful midrange honky guitar.
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brianr2
C.O.G.
Posts: 3,071
My main instrument is: Brook Lyn guitar
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Post by brianr2 on May 8, 2015 9:12:42 GMT
Thanks for the replies. Brian, good to hear you have success with Newtone Heritage strings with your Fylde. What is Will Ackerman's Esoterica? Sorry about the unhelpful terminology. Will Ackerman uses a wide range of odd tunings, e.g. C?BEC?F?E, D?BA?D?C?F?, CBGEAE, EBF?C?G?D?, DBEDBG. By this somewhat bizarre route, he creates some amazing tunes, e.g. (in EBF?C?G?D?): Brian
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Post by earwighoney on May 8, 2015 10:42:05 GMT
Thanks for the info. Do you manage to use different tunings (ie tuning up and down) without the strings on your Fylde breaking? I used to use a myriad of alternate tunings but the string breakages and strings losing their elasticity quickly made me try to keep the wound strings in the same tuning and vary the tunings by alternating the plain wound strings. Did you know Will Ackerman was a friend of Robbie Basho? If you've not read this article about RB, there's a really interesting quote on RB by Ackerman. In an interview with RB, he said Ackerman was a fine 'contractor', aka 'builder' to us Brits!
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leoroberts
C.O.G.
Posts: 24,660
My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on May 8, 2015 10:55:57 GMT
Breaking strings can cost a fortune... Simple way to stop this is to buy 4 or 5 guitars - one for each tuning
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brianr2
C.O.G.
Posts: 3,071
My main instrument is: Brook Lyn guitar
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Post by brianr2 on May 8, 2015 12:15:24 GMT
Thanks for the info. Do you manage to use different tunings (ie tuning up and down) without the strings on your Fylde breaking? I used to use a myriad of alternate tunings but the string breakages and strings losing their elasticity quickly made me try to keep the wound strings in the same tuning and vary the tunings by alternating the plain wound strings. Did you know Will Ackerman was a friend of Robbie Basho? If you've not read this article about RB, there's a really interesting quote on RB by Ackerman. In an interview with RB, he said Ackerman was a fine 'contractor', aka 'builder' to us Brits! I have not really had much trouble with breaking strings but, no doubt to Leo's horror, I change them quite often. I did know about Ackerman and Basho, from the notes in this excellent book It is astonishing that Ackerman is a joiner and builder, risking broken fingernails and other disasters! Brian
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Phil Taylor
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Post by Phil Taylor on May 8, 2015 14:56:57 GMT
I've been looking at some smaller bodied guitars and a few models in consideration have shorter scales of either 24.9" or 24.75" (around 630mm). All of my guitars have 650mm scales and I'm not really familiar with shorter scaled guitars that much. I tend to spend the majority of time playing in CGCGCD, does anyone have a short scale guitar that they have in such a Open C tuning? I've tried a few short scale guitars in shops but they have always had lightish 12-52 strings on them and I imagine Open C on a short scale would require heavier strings and a higher saddle perhaps? If anyone has a shorter scale guitar and uses Open C tunings I'd be interested in your thoughts. Thanks. Both my Brooks are 630mm and seem to handle CGCGCD ok. Here is the Torridge: And here is the Lyn in CGDGCD The strings are 12's (EJ16's) - hope this helps Phil
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Post by earwighoney on May 8, 2015 17:02:33 GMT
Thanks for the info Phil,
Great playing and I forgot how amazing the cutaway Mahogany Lyn sounded! One of my favourite Brooks, it'd be almost exactly the same specs if I ordered one.
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mandovark
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Post by mandovark on May 8, 2015 17:41:04 GMT
Great playing, Phil, and the guitars sound great - both of them have that kind of natural reverb and choral sound that seems to be typical with Brooks. It isn't making the 8 months or so that I still have to wait for my next one any easier!
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Welshruss
C.O.G.
Posts: 477
My main instrument is: Turnstone, Wandering Boy & Santa Cruz
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Post by Welshruss on May 8, 2015 23:00:27 GMT
Welshruss, great to see a mention of Jack Rose! Jack Rose is pretty much why I got into playing the acoustic guitar, good to see his name mentione I just had a look on YT today to see Kensington Blues (there's a tab of it on Delta Slider if you need).d. I'm in agreement about JP 80/20's, with Newtones they are my favourite 80/20's. Coated strings are indeed a no. How's the Waterloo treating you? The ladder braced one is a wonderful midrange honky guitar. Big fan of Jack Rose especially the live DVD with Glenn Jones I have most Jack's albums on vinyl, a few by Basho as well. Delta Slider is a great website. Currently enjoying the new album by Nick Jonah Davies. When it comes to small bodied guitars I prefer mahogany over any rosewood. Great playing again Phil.
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Post by earwighoney on May 9, 2015 10:57:25 GMT
Big fan of Jack Rose especially the live DVD with Glenn Jones I have most Jack's albums on vinyl, a few by Basho as well. Delta Slider is a great website. Currently enjoying the new album by Nick Jonah Davies. When it comes to small bodied guitars I prefer mahogany over any rosewood. I saw Glenn Jones play live and he told some very touching stories of his departed great friend Jack Rose which were very moving. He also told some very amusing ones about John Fahey with some comedic impressions of Fahey as well. Of the Glenn Jones/Basho vibe, I've been listening to the Chuck Jones albums recently which I've really been enjoying. Post up a video of the Waterloo guitar when you have the opportunity to do so. I presume you have the model with the large neck profile? I read they have a thinner neck profile as well, and are going to introduce a jumbo body at sometime.
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Post by vikingblues on May 9, 2015 11:17:28 GMT
I've been looking at some smaller bodied guitars and a few models in consideration have shorter scales of either 24.9" or 24.75" (around 630mm). All of my guitars have 650mm scales and I'm not really familiar with shorter scaled guitars that much. I tend to spend the majority of time playing in CGCGCD, does anyone have a short scale guitar that they have in such a Open C tuning? I've tried a few short scale guitars in shops but they have always had lightish 12-52 strings on them and I imagine Open C on a short scale would require heavier strings and a higher saddle perhaps? If anyone has a shorter scale guitar and uses Open C tunings I'd be interested in your thoughts. Thanks. I have had my Lowden S32 quite often in Csus2 in recent times - it is 630mm scale. No problem even with Newtone Heritage Low Tension 12s (like Brian I have old creaky fingers). I find too that my factory produced Tanglewood TW73 is also OK in Csus2. However I should say that I do play with a light touch. I think it's essential to have a really responsive guitar if it's parlour size. Then you don't need to hit the strings hard to get a good sound and that means you can get away the the reduced tension of shorter scale &/or open lowered tunings. The Lowden is hugely responsive because of what it is, the Tanglewood was unearthed in long searching as one of the good factory produced guitars at the responsive end of chance combinations when standard measurements are used in a production process for non standard raw material (wood). You also asked about managing to use different tunings (ie tuning up and down) without the strings breaking? I have been regularly changing tuning on the Lowden between Standard tuning, Open D, DADGAD, Open G and Csus2 for 5 months with the one set of strings before my recent change of strings and have not had one break. Now I think back I note that since I started using Newtone Heritage strings around 10 months ago on all of my acoustic guitars I've had no breakages at all. Mark
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