Tuning Overview:

Open G tuning for the Cigar Box Guitar. The cigar box guitar is a primitive chordophone whose resonator is a discarded cigar box. Because the instrument is homemade there is no standard for dimensions, string types or construction techniques.

Verbal Analysis:

This tuning transforms your Cigar Box Guitar into a resonant blues and folk machine. Open G is incredibly popular for its ease of playing, especially with a slide. The open strings strum out a full G Major chord, making it very intuitive to pick up and play powerful, rich-sounding music. It encourages a direct, rhythmic approach to playing, often associated with delta blues and roots music.

Technical Analysis:

• The open strings are tuned to G2, D3, G3, B3. This configuration directly forms a G Major chord (G-B-D), with an octave G and a repeated fifth (D).
• The intervals from the lowest G2 string are: Perfect Fourth to D3, Perfect Octave to G3, and Major Third to B3 (if considering G3 as the root of the higher three strings, or a Major Tenth from G2).
• This tuning is a fantastic foundation for slide guitar. Simply laying a slide across any fret will yield a major chord. For example, a slide at the 3rd fret will produce a Bb Major chord, the 5th fret a C Major chord, and the 7th fret a D Major chord.
• The close interval between G3 and B3 (a major third) allows for expressive melodic phrasing and chord voicings in the higher register.

How to Tune:

Please exercise caution when adjusting string tension. For movements exceeding 4 semitones (up or down), consider using a different string gauge to avoid breakage or damage to your instrument. All strings are tuned down from an assumed standard tuning to achieve this Open G configuration.

• String 4 (target G2): Tune down 7 semitones. This is a significant reduction in tension; a heavier gauge string is strongly advised to maintain playability and prevent floppiness.
• String 3 (target D3): Tune down 5 semitones. Consider a slightly heavier gauge string.
• String 2 (target G3): Tune down 4 semitones. This is at the upper limit for standard gauges; monitor string tension carefully.
• String 1 (target B3): Tune down 5 semitones. Consider a slightly heavier gauge string.

String 4: G2 - The lowest string is tuned to G in the second octave, providing the fundamental root note.

String 3: D3 - The next string is tuned to D in the third octave, serving as the perfect fifth of the G chord.

String 2: G3 - This string is tuned to G in the third octave, an octave above the lowest G2, reinforcing the root.

String 1: B3 - The highest string is tuned to B in the third octave, providing the major third and completing the G Major triad.