Short scale & open tunings

[Feste]

I wonder if any of you who play short-scale guitars, 24.75" specifically, could enlighten me as to how they handle open and dropped tunings.
Thanks!

[FrankHudson]

For me: by adjusting the pitch of the string to the new tuning. I have exactly one guitar that stays mostly an a non-standard tuning, my resonator which is in Open G and on which I have adjusted to a string set that fits the tuning a bit better. Most of my guitars most of the time have been using the "light" .012 high E set.

I'd likely go with a dedicated string set if I was playing in a single dedicated alt tuning all the time on a guitar, like I do with the my resonator. If I had greater resources I'd even consider something like a fan fret guitar which in effect has multiple scale lenghts.

Some of the alt-tunings I sometimes play raise pitch of some strings, but most lower strings' pitches. I will tune the low E down to as low as C on some tunings. Yes, that string will get somewhat floppy. I try not to hit it to hard, and sometimes I'm deliberately seeking a thumpy 6th string anyway.

I'm aware that longer scale lengths or heavier gauges are sometime thought better for lowered alt tunings, but while my practice may not be ideal, it's seems to suit my needs and resources.

[donlyn]

Short scale & open tunings

My favorite 6 string gauge is Elixir PB HD Lights, .013 - .053. They are essentially Medium gauge trebles over Light gauge bass:
(.013, .017, .025, .032, .042, .053).

If you play in DADGAD, the treble 'E' and 'B' are .013 and .017, which are +.001 each for most light gauge string sets which usually include .012 and .016 respectively. So the slightly thicker gauge string will compensate for the 'short' scale tension when you tune down, and thus sound better accordingly. Works well for 'standard' scale guitars too.

Just for the record, 'short' and 'standard' scale often differ between manufacturers, and even between models from the same manufacturer. Hence the semi-quote marks around the terms 'short' and 'standard' referring to scales.

Don
.

[Doug Young]

If you have a short scale guitar, give it a try and see how it works! Should be no issue. You might want heavier strings, but that's true with any guitar. In theory, longer scales may have better intonation on the bass strings (that's why you see fan fret guitars), but in practice people do it all the time. I know people who use Larrivee parlor's and play in all kinds of tunings. Larry Pattis, here on AGF was using a 20 inch scale for a while at least, and uses DADGAD. Ed Sheeran's Wee Lowden is 24", if I recall, and he uses alternate tunings.

[Feste]

Originally Posted by donlyn

Short scale & open tunings

My favorite 6 string gauge is Elixir PB HD Lights, .013 - .053. They are essentially Medium gauge trebles over Light gauge bass:
(.013, .017, .025, .032, .042, .053).
Don
.

Don,
That’s interesting. My usual set on my 25.6” scale guitars is kind of a flip of that, in that I use heavier base strings (.056) with a .012 on the bottom, like a bluegrass set.

[Feste]

Originally Posted by Doug Young

If you have a short scale guitar, give it a try and see how it works! Should be no issue. You might want heavier strings, but that's true with any guitar. In theory, longer scales may have better intonation on the bass strings (that's why you see fan fret guitars), but in practice people do it all the time. I know people who use Larrivee parlor's and play in all kinds of tunings. Larry Pattis, here on AGF was using a 20 inch scale for a while at least, and uses DADGAD. Ed Sheeran's Wee Lowden is 24", if I recall, and he uses alternate tunings.

Doug,
I don’t have a short scale, but I have been thinking about it lately. I’ve kind been in a baritone cloud the past year or so and this idea just sort popped into my head. It occurred to me that I might be able to get a more subtle but robust vibe with a short scale in alt tunings.

[gmel555]

I do Double Drop D on 24.9" regularly with no issues; using "Light" gauge, 1st string @.012 and 6th string @.052- .054.

[mawmow]

I use usual 0,012" on my little Alvarez AP66 in Open G without real issue.

On my longer Guild F-30, I switched from 0,012 to 0,013 to down tune in CGDGAD.

My Seagull Performer is currently set in OpenD and DADGAD with standard 0,012.

I planned to try Retro Monel LJ devoted to DADGAD, but this trial was delayed.

[TRose]

Feste,
I have an Eastman 00 that, at this point, stays tuned to DADGAD. Has been working out fine with Elixir lights.

I have picked up several packs of “New/True Mediums” by a variety of manufacturers to experiment with once the Elixirs need to be changed. As of yet I haven’t developed a preference. These all have medium gauge strings for the 1st,2nd and 6th strings. There are several threads on the forum worth reading concerning building custom sets of strings to accommodate various tunings as well as the New Mediums for DADGAD specifically.

Here are a few:

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=500554

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=435003


When I do start to use the New Mediums that particular guitar will need to be dedicated to slack tuning for the life of those strings,apparently.

Anyway, I hope this is helpful.

[jklotz]

I've been working on something in CGDGBD lately, and my eastman e20-om is right here next to me (I leave it out). It's 24.9" scale. I use lights on it (12-53). It's working fine, except that I need to go really lightly when I play the low E (tuned down to C) string or it will buzz. A 56 low E string would probably solve that, but I don't keep it tuned like that so I'm not going to bother. When I gig in that tuning, I use a 25.5" scale guitar with that combination (lights except a 56 on the low E string).

I find a .042" A string, the ones that come in the light set, seem to work ok tuned down a step. Any further and I'd go with a heavier gauge. I tried a bluegrass set, but found that the D string, which I keep tuned to D mostly, just didn't feel right.

[TBman]

I'm always playing in DADGAD and lower tunings. I have had my J-45 in DADGAD and CGDGAD, but it is usually in standard. I use lights on the J-45, btw. I didn't have any issues when tuned down with it. On most of my other guitars I use mediums.

[donlyn]

Originally Posted by donlyn

Short scale & open tunings

My favorite 6 string gauge is Elixir PB HD Lights, .013 - .053. They are essentially Medium gauge trebles over Light gauge bass:
(.013, .017, .025, .032, .042, .053).

If you play in DADGAD, the treble 'E' and 'B' are .013 and .017, which are +.001 each for most light gauge string sets which usually include .012 and .016 respectively. So the slightly thicker gauge string will compensate for the 'short' scale tension when you tune down, and thus sound better accordingly. Works well for 'standard' scale guitars too.

Just for the record, 'short' and 'standard' scale often differ between manufacturers, and even between models from the same manufacturer. Hence the semi-quote marks around the terms 'short' and 'standard' referring to scales.

Don
.

Originally Posted by Feste

Don,
That’s interesting. My usual set on my 25.6” scale guitars is kind of a flip of that, in that I use heavier base strings (.056) with a .012 on the bottom, like a bluegrass set.

Many manufacturers make 'Bluegrass' sets in that general gauge set. Elixir makes something called a .012-.056 Light Medium gauge, which is their version of a Bluegrass gauge.
Light-Medium .012 .016 .024 .035 .045 .056

Tried quite a few different gauges and manufacturers, starting mostly back in the last century through around 2007 or so. I did try most of the available Bluegrass gauges. Came to realize that the big body guitars I favored didn't need extra bass (.058 was a particular waste), and really liked the treble boost the HD gauge gave when that became available. I fingerpick all my guitars, and the Elixirs sound pretty good with my nails, so they are now my basis for comparison.

And I string my two Grand Concerts, three J-200s, and my Grand Orchestra with the PB HD gauge, mostly because I like the balance I get with them.

Don
.

[DaveG]

Both my 00-18 and 00-28 handle open D tuning just fine with normal light gauge strings, as well as with John Pearse Silk and Phosphor light gauge.

[David Eastwood]

My lovely old Martin 0-16NY, 24.9", spends virtually all its time in Open D, with light gauge (.012-.053) strings.

It even tolerates Open C pretty well, although the intonation gets a bit wobbly on the 6th string. Easy to compensate for, though.

[rule18]

Originally Posted by Feste

I wonder if any of you who play short-scale guitars, 24.75" specifically, could enlighten me as to how they handle open and dropped tunings.
Thanks!

I de-tune my J45 (24.75") strung with 12's to drop D and DADGAD fairly often, with no issues at all. I play with a flat pick and bare fingers.