Question? - Emerald Amicus tuning

crnazz · #1 09-30-2017, 11:44 AM

The thought of an Amicus is really intriguing to me but I'm wondering about the DGCFAD tuning.

Lets say I wanted to play it with our group (keyboard, bass, drums...), but wanted to use the same music I've been using with my regular 6 string acoustic guitar..... Would it be reasonable to put a capo on the second fret of the Amicus and play my long-established music that way rather than figuring out a different set of chords (which I assume I'd have to do without the capo)??

Would a capo on that short neck be awkward?
What are others doing?

Thanks for your thoughts!

Song · #2 09-30-2017, 07:42 PM

It would probably work if your chords are mostly open and in the 1st position.
With that much tension barre chords up the neck would be pretty difficult.
I tune mine down to around A to C, and some players are claiming G (depends on the strings).
I bought the Amicus because of that flexibility. A mandolin player might like the high tuning.
But the lower tension makes it easier to fingerstyle and barre a little farther up the neck.
The strings used will make a big difference. I put Ernie Ball Carbon Slinkies (9-42) on immediately for even lower tension.
Yep those are electric strings. But it doesn't matter because I think it sounds and plays better.

The Amicus is a wonderful instrument. Tune it to open G, C, D, Page, etc,,
it will dazzle, just awesome. I wear it on a strap up high like a mando player might.
It's a challenge to play but doable and oh so much fun.
Good luck!

crnazz · #3 10-01-2017, 09:45 AM

Hi Song:

Thanks for your thoughtful reply. Sounds like it would be a reasonable thing to capo the 2nd fret - though I likely should take the mental time to change the key by a couple steps instead.

A couple more questions?

- How wide is the neck 2-3 frets down? (wondering if a conventional capo would be wide enough)

- Is it possible to tune the amicus up to EADGBE without causing too much tension?

Thank you again!

Song · #4 10-01-2017, 01:09 PM

Quote:

How wide is the neck 2-3 frets down? (wondering if a conventional capo would be wide enough)

With my vernier calipers: 1.9" nut, 2" 2nd, 2.1" 3rd, and 2.4" 12th.
My NS capo works to at least the 7th and capoed at 5 can play chords quite nicely.

Quote:

- Is it possible to tune the amicus up to EADGBE without causing too much tension?

I wouldn't try that with the oem Super Lights (9-42s) but it may be possible with some Extra Super Lights (8-38s).

From Sean:

Quote:

Here are the details for the Amicus string setup.
We use D'Addario EXP13 strings on the Amicus - http://www.daddario.com/ DADProductDetail.Page? ActiveID=3769&productid=88& productname=EXP13_Coated_80_ 20_Bronze__Custom_Light__11_ 52&sid=a0ba22e5-2740-4b53- 8e94-519b0af65573

Order two sets of these strings, or similar gauges, (emphasis mine) and discard the two low E strings. Then for the two highest strings we recommend to use .008 or .009 strings. In the factory we use .0085 NY Steel, but these may be hard to source. Our factory string gauges are:
DD - 0.042
GG - .032
CC - .022
FF - .015
AA - .010
DD - .0085

Quote:

Thank you again!

You are very welcome! It gave me a chance to try the capo and I learned something.

I'm new to it and I think we need to hear from this guy.
What tuning are you in Kramster?

Song · #5 10-01-2017, 01:33 PM

This might interest you. http://emeraldguitars.com/portfolio/...v=7516fd43adaa
If it were me I would be trying to contact Kenn Fox to see what he thinks about it now. http://www.paramountguitars.net/index.htm

crnazz · #6 10-01-2017, 02:32 PM

Thanks again Song, for the helpful information. Interesting that Alistair has already made a short scale Amicus. I'll perhaps inquire just to see the upcharge for a custom such as that. Otherwise, your capo measurements are very helpful. So it appears it wouldn't be that much of an impact to capo up 2 frets.... if there are time constraints - as opposed to changing the chord key.

(also looked at your website in your profile. I really enjoyed the music!)

crnazz · #7 10-01-2017, 07:20 PM

Found a YouTube clip where the Amicus is capo-ed on the 2nd fret to bring it up to E-e tuning (I'm assuming):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ppe4nqVcRks

Song · #8 10-01-2017, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crnazz

Found a YouTube clip where the Amicus is capo-ed on the 2nd fret to bring it up to E-e tuning (I'm assuming):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ppe4nqVcRks

Wow thanks! I haven't seen that one! The Amicus is the star of that show imo
Like you I had never touched an Emerald before I bought some.
Had to take a leap of faith and so glad I did.
The Amicus is such an intimate instrument.
Both of them meet and exceed my expectations.

Here's another one capoed. This is the video that consummated my Amicus dreams

https://youtu.be/gpKva8ORpZw

kramster · #9 10-01-2017, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Song

I'm new to it and I think we need to hear from this guy.
What tuning are you in Kramster?

How'd you know that might have been me... just tuned the way I got it ..like on a 7th fret of regular guitar...

kramster · #10 10-01-2017, 08:37 PM

Hey after seeing that duo play ... I realized my Amicus and X-20 match...cool... so I got that going for me.

Rashi63 · #11 01-31-2023, 12:55 PM

you can absolutely put a Capo on the second fret and play in standard tuning. It also is a great test of your music theory knowledge to just transpose on the fly. It took a little while to figure it out but just do the math. Some chords become much easier - so instead of a b flat - you actually play a C - so much easier. Instead of a g minor - play an a minor - some chords are just easier on the amicus when you transpose.