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  #1  
Old 10-22-2012, 01:55 PM
johnd johnd is offline
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Default CGCGGC Tuning

I was looking up how to play a Ben Howard song and most versions use this tuning. I've literally never retuned from EADGBE so for CGCGGC would I take every string down, or would any go up?
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Old 10-22-2012, 02:04 PM
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I'd take them all down. Only way I'd go up is if using higher gauge of strings on the ones you want to tune up.

Along with that same thought, I might swap out some of the strings for a lower gauge when tuning down the strings, like the 1st, 2nd, and 6th strings.


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Old 10-22-2012, 02:04 PM
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1st and 2nd strings down as with the rest
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Old 10-22-2012, 06:34 PM
Jeff Scott Jeff Scott is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kscobie8 View Post
I'd take them all down. Only way I'd go up is if using higher gauge of strings on the ones you want to tune up.

Along with that same thought, I might swap out some of the strings for a lower gauge when tuning down the strings, like the 1st, 2nd, and 6th strings.


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Isn't this backwards?
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Old 10-22-2012, 07:43 PM
Bill Reid Bill Reid is offline
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Seems like a strange tuning; no third in the open chord. Are you sure it's not CGCGCE? All altered strings tune down except the 2nd, which tunes up to C. Use standard gauge or the lower strings may buzz. I like the tuning, and keep a 12-string in it. Also have a chord chart for it that I created back in the '60s (nothing fancy); you're welcome to a copy.
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Old 10-22-2012, 08:12 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Scott View Post
Isn't this backwards?
.si ti, seY

Thanks for the clarity.


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Old 10-23-2012, 03:04 AM
johnd johnd is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Reid View Post
Seems like a strange tuning; no third in the open chord. Are you sure it's not CGCGCE? All altered strings tune down except the 2nd, which tunes up to C. Use standard gauge or the lower strings may buzz. I like the tuning, and keep a 12-string in it.
I couldn't comment but I've seen the same song tabbed a few times using that tuning and it sounds pretty good.

I don't think the intro would work (and it sounds right) with an E... try for yourself. Here's him playing, it's a lovely tune.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw99fWK_q9k

I down-tuned everything, since I don't have a surplus of guitars I had to use the existing strings. It's pretty OK but the low E down all the way to C is a bit loose. Using another D-string might be easiest for that one string but I'm not really bothered enough to start hot-swapping strings!

Quote:
Also have a chord chart for it that I created back in the '60s (nothing fancy); you're welcome to a copy.
That would be cool to have a look at if you're offering. I reckon they won't have aged too much
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Old 10-23-2012, 06:48 AM
geordie geordie is offline
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yeah, typed in CGCGGC Tuning
lodsa stuff on it

If you are dabbling in alternative tunings it's handy to know a bit about string gauges / pitches / tensions and what works, thats what Ben Howard has done.
You cant just wish yourself into existence as something or someone.
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Old 10-23-2012, 06:49 AM
johnd johnd is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by geordie View Post
You cant just wish yourself into existence as something or someone.
I'm not sure if that's your life philosophy or specific advice

Also I searched "CGCGGC Tuning" and the top link is referenced against Ben Howard. Surely he didn't invent it!
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  #10  
Old 10-23-2012, 08:18 AM
geordie geordie is offline
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http://www.kennaquhair.com/ustcv202.zip

http://www.daddario.com/DADProductDe...__Light__12_53
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Old 10-23-2012, 08:22 AM
JoeCharter JoeCharter is offline
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I think the anseer to the OP's question is a lot more elementary.

The third string wouldn't change, all others need to be tuned down.
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Old 10-23-2012, 09:38 AM
la palma C la palma C is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Reid View Post
Seems like a strange tuning; no third in the open chord. Are you sure it's not CGCGCE? All altered strings tune down except the 2nd, which tunes up to C. Use standard gauge or the lower strings may buzz. I like the tuning, and keep a 12-string in it. Also have a chord chart for it that I created back in the '60s (nothing fancy); you're welcome to a copy.
The tuning doesn't have to contain a third and a fifth to be useful. Several of my favorite artists have songs played in DADDAD, and Nick Drake notably used BEBEBE tuning on From the Morning and Time of No Reply
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Old 10-23-2012, 10:29 AM
Craviola Craviola is offline
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I enjoy the various C tunings. Once you get there this site might help as it tabs out the various scales in this tuning as well as many others. Good luck and have fun with it.

http://www.gtdb.org/tuner/cgcggc/scales/#.UIbFcMXR4kR
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Old 10-23-2012, 12:01 PM
james84 james84 is offline
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Yep, an open C5 tuning - can be quite useful!
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  #15  
Old 10-23-2012, 03:20 PM
murrmac123 murrmac123 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by la palma C View Post
The tuning doesn't have to contain a third and a fifth to be useful.
Gotta have one or t'other (if not both) , otherwise you end up with DDDDDD ...
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