I gotta new guitar-type toy!

Subject: I gotta new guitar-type toy!
From: JedMarum
Date: 22 Apr 00 - 11:37 AM

I touched on this thought in a thread not too long ago, but I've had so much fun with this new guitar-type toy that I've ust got to share!

I took my son's Martin Backpacker (he left it behind when he went to NYC), and I restrung it for the "Nashville Tuning" configuration I heard about here at the Mudcat. I used the Backpacker for tw reasons; 1) I didn;t want to restring any of my other guitars just to fool around with a tuning about which I was only modertately curious 2) the Backpacker has some serious design problems, one of which is its distinct inability to produce the bottom tones; I though tuning it to the higher notes of the Nashville tuning might possible give the Backpacker a chance to sound its best.

Well, I was right about the tines. The Backpacker's ability to create warm, sweet tones from strings tuned above middle C (actually E or D, and I'll explain) is a pleasant surprise. IT has a wonderful dulicmer-like quality. But then I tuned the guitar to an open D tuning, and I use banjo chord forms (for a G tuning) inside the four middle strings, leaving the low and high D's as drones (mostly). Wow - what a treat!!! I do both flatpicked chords and finger picked (banjo style) - and its sounds great!!

You have the very unusual sound of the bottom strings being much higher then the top two, and top two give you a warm, pseudo-drone quality. I have to say, since I set this guitar up this way, I haven't been able to put the damn thing down!!

Now there are some drawbacks; the backpacker has some serious design flaws, as I mentioned earlier. One of the major flaws is its balance. I cannot play the thing without it waning to roll over from my left hand work. You have to stand to play it and use a strap. It helps if you tie the strap to the head, rather then hook the neck at the body around the strap peg. If you capo up the neck (which you'll do a lot using and open tuning) you get a little more control. Anyway - these things are pains-in-the-ass, but not major obstacles. The other drawback is strings. I have restrung the instrument using from low to high (6 to1) all light guage strings; D string, G string (remember it's tune a whole step high to an A), a B string tuned high to a D), an E string (again tuned high to a G), and the two normal strings B and E tuned normally. This tuning description is for normal tuning, then I move that to an open D.

Try it; you'lll like it!! I hope to call in to the radio show Wed and play a song so y'all can hear it. Has anyone had experience with this?? I'd love to your feedback!

Subject: RE: I gotta new guitar-type toy!
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 22 Apr 00 - 11:43 AM

Jed, you're right about the balance thing. A friend of mine just bought the little Takoma baby guitar and it sounds neat. Have fun.

Rick

Subject: RE: I gotta new guitar-type toy!
From: JedMarum
Date: 22 Apr 00 - 11:50 AM

wow - rereading my last post I am once again humbled by poor typing skills! Sorry y'all for the numerous typos; I hope you can get through it.

I did, however, fail to make one of the points regarding the drawbacks. I metioned that I am using light guage strings (required by the Backpacker) and tuning several high (two and three frets high). Now this problem is reduce when I drop some for the open D tuning, but I still have a few strings stretched higher then the guitar was designed to support. I am afraid the excess tension will haste the twisting of the neck, bridge or face of the guitar. Any Luthier-types have a comment about that? Is it a problem? If so, what can I do about it?

By the way, I am seriously considering working with a guitar maker to deisgn a new instrument based on this config. I would double the top two strings because the ad such warmth, and improve the shape somehow to stop the roll over problem, and then be sure the neck, bridge and face were able to support the strings as tuned.

Subject: RE: I gotta new guitar-type toy!
From: JedMarum
Date: 22 Apr 00 - 11:53 AM

Rick - if I ever make it up Toronto way, I'll bring it along. I think you'd love it. Being real banjo player I suspect you'd find the combination of guitar/dulcimer sound and banjo left hand and and picking qualities intriguing.

Subject: RE: I gotta new guitar-type toy!
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 22 Apr 00 - 12:49 PM

I am intrigued by this Nashivlle tuning and I must have missed the thread(s) where it was mentioned. Am I understanding it correctly in thinking that it is dropped D tuning but with the lower 4 strings tuned an octave higher than usual?

Jed, I am not an expert on these matters and certainly not a luthier but it seems to me that you have a couple of strings that are tensioned normally. Why not use those as a reference point and experiment with custom gauges for the others until you find a balanced setup ie use even lighter guage strings for the ones you are having to tune high?

Jon

Subject: RE: I gotta new guitar-type toy!
From: JedMarum
Date: 22 Apr 00 - 06:51 PM

Jon - I have decided, at the suggestion of one of our Mudcatters, to develop these ideas and write up a more detailed description, including tuning notes and chord charts. I think that's a great idea, and will do so within the next two/three weeks. BUT;

The Nashville tuning essentially uses the octave strings of a 12 string guitar for the bottom four, and the normal strings for the top two. That is E,A,D,G on the bottom 4 as always but an octave higher - then the top two are normal. The sound helps a live band maximize the acoustic guitar sound with two acoustic rythym players.

I simply took that notion, and dropped some of the strings to an open D tuning D, A, D, F#, A, D. Again, with this sting configuration, the bottom four are an octave higher than would be normal, but of course, fingered in the same manner as you would in this tuning.

I have played with this tuning (normal strings, though) for years, so I am used to it. I will spend some time writing up a better description and post it. I think other folks will like this set-up, too.