NASHVILLE TUNING MAGIC - High-Strung Guitar Secrets - Guitar Discoveries #31
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- čas přidán 23. 07. 2024
- #nashvilletuning #guitartuning #guitardiscoveries
Robert Cassard shares tips and tricks about Nashville Tuning, a/k/a High-Strung guitar. Hear examples from legendary guitarists and learn what strings and what type of guitar works best.
Please ignore the incorrect title at 6:25,: use the EVEN NUMBERED strings from a 12-string set (2-4-6-8-10-12).
Robert Cassard shares guitars, gear and tips to make you a better musician.
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Hi, my name is Robert Cassard. I'm a lifelong guitar player, singer-songwriter, producer, and music fanatic. I create Guitar and Recording Discoveries videos with a simple goal: to make YOU a better, happier, more confident musician!
In 2018, after more than 40 years as a pro musician, I started sharing my experiences through easy-to-understand CZcams videos - giving you shortcuts to de-mystify playing, singing and recording.
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What a good idea to use a small body cheap guitar, dedicated to Nasville tuning : think about a small Stella ('50 or '60 era), available in many pawn shops for $100 to $150, with that wonderful "old-time" sound... As I've got one, with a pretty high action, it will make the fingering easier.
Great video, sir !
Great idea, Serge! I have a 50s Stella, but I’ve never high strung it. Here’s a video about it: czcams.com/video/b6M9Q4szhWM/video.html I’ve featured it in other videos, too... One about using Odd Guitars to add spice to recordings and another about the Lawrence A-300 portable pickup. I LOVE my Stella...might try it Nashville style sometime soon!
@@RobertCassard I bought a H930 Stella, back in '92, at a pawn shop (Broadway, Nashville, TN), for a nice $50. That ol' piece of wood has a charming and old-time sound. The seller fooled me a little bit, pretending it was a '39, but I didn't mind, as the price was OK. Famous french luthier Alain Queguiner did some restoration on it (mahogany bridge, bone saddle and nut) but never wanted to do a neck reset (too expensive for the guitar value, he said! ). I gonna convert it soon to Nashville tuning, for Blind Blake pieces !
Hey Serge - Here's another fun Nashville tuning (and layering) video, where the Backpacker and a cheap Squier Mini Strat get some exercise: czcams.com/video/uw0YLaVfAwU/video.html
@@RobertCassard Any Guitar will work cause you can get lots of different sounds & make your song arrangements very clever. Nashville tuning strings made by D'addario are available. EJ38H for Acoustic Guitars & EXL150H for Electric Guitars.
@@RobertCassard For a 12 string guitar just use 2 sets of Nashville tuning strings and now you have a double high strung 12 string guitar.
Man those Rolling Stones album production make so much more sense now knowing this. And the Floyd! Thanks for sharing, makes so much more sense.
Fo sho, APJ!
Everytime I think of how I can overdub one of my ancient acoustics, I can always get a lot of info from you man. Thank you! I am thinking of doing this to one of my old Silvertone archtops and a few old Parlors I have.
I love it, Mark! Very happy when I can inspire some juicy guitar layering, especially with unique or Nashville-tuned guitars. I keep doing more and more videos about this. Search my channel for "Guitar Orchestration" of my coined word "Guitorchestration" and you'll find 'em. Here's the most recent one: czcams.com/video/7hxnGtZu5VM/video.html
@@RobertCassard will do and thanks again!
Never understood why so many vloggers emphasis the overdubbing or accompaniment aspect to Nashville tuning.
There are plenty of songs that it works perfectly for on its own.
@@Ira88881 that’s true, but it’s just so fun! czcams.com/video/uw0YLaVfAwU/video.html
Thanks for this awesome video, great examples, great presentation. Diggin' into this sound.
Glad it gave you some sonic inspiration, Steve!
Awesome vid. Lots of helpful information. Thanks Robert. Well done!
My pleasure...I hope you’ll check out some of my other videos. I seem to come back to Nashville Tuning over and over!
This is an inspiring video that has lots of effort in it. Thanks!
A comment from the Unknown!
Best video ever about Nashville tuning! Bravissimo, grazie for this great, exaustive, excellent lesson :)
Grazie tante, ciclosonico! Happy you enjoyed it. I’ve posted quite a few videos where I use Nashville tuning as an important part of a layered guitar sound. Thanks for watching!
Great vid, thanks!
Thanks for watching, Dean. I post a lot of Nashville tuning stuff on my channel. I use it in almost everything I record!
This is a great video man!! Love the examples - Wild Horses has such a great acoustic sound and is one of my earliest memories of a Stones song from a mixtape a girl I adored made for me when I was about 16!! Young love eh?! 😁 great tips and great video! Thank you 🙏🏻
Thanks, Tim. I hope you’ll check out other videos. I do a lot of vids that feature Nashville Tuning. That mixtape story? Yep, that’s what the best musical memories are made of!
Excellent video and explanation of the Nashville High String! And, great well chosen song examples. I have a friend who is also a big Fogelberg fan (named Dan as well). He keeps one of his guitars always high strung. Several years back we did several sessions of playing Fogelberg songs, with "friend Dan" playing his high string guitar and me playing a standard strung guitar. The results were absolutely beautiful, and such great fun to make such beautiful sounding music. It's that beautiful sparkle of the high strung guitar. Great subject for a video, Robert.
Thanks, Steve. Yeah...once you experience the sound of a high-strung guitar WITH a standard-tuned guitar, it's easy to crave that sound. Like I mention in the video, I keep a high-strung acoustic and a high-strung electric so they're always ready to go!
Sweet info, Thanks for sharing! I have played the backpacker before but I never thought of setting one up in Nashville tuning. Sounds great!
Thanks, Isaac. I love that sound, too, and it blends beautifully when layering guitar tracks...
Very good information. Thank you for sharing!
You’re welcome, Bob. Thanks for watching!
Dan Fogelberg high-strung used on "There's a Place in the World for a Gambler"(Souvenirs studio album) and also on his cover of George Harrison's "I Need You" 1997 acoustic tour. Thanks for your clear presentation.
Yes, indeed, Darlu! I met DF back in the day, and I recall him keeping one of his acoustics high-strung.
In reading an interview he said that for the 97 concert series he tuned the Yamaha down to a D tuning (top and bottom E both down to D). So nice to get back into the whole spectrum. Life is more than one tuning! :-)
That's a cool tuning: Double Drop D
Amazing. Thanks
My pleasure, Lucas.
Cool video, well done, I'm going go do this straight away
Right on, DG5466. Here’s the follow up video: czcams.com/video/uw0YLaVfAwU/video.html
Super awesome use of eclectic references to demonstrate this tuning! Just heard about it last night from my buddy, thanks got the thorough history!
Thank you, theBSG! I’ve done quite a few videos featuring Nashville tuning. It’s one of my favorite recording secrets...
I've been playing for years and I've heard of drop D tuning open D tuning open E tuning but this is the first I've heard about Nashville tuning!
Many thanks I'm going to try it out!
Come back and tell me how it goes, Myles. If you’re like me, you’ll want a Nashville-tuned acoustic and an electric at the ready for any occasion! FYI, I have numerous Nashville tuning videos on my channel, including the one I released just yesterday: czcams.com/video/yzNhwlhoLnk/video.html
Thanks for the excellent explanation backed up with clear examples. I'll definitely give it a try on one of my guitars that's getting a bit left out of things lately - it might transform how I regard it. I've got both an electric and acoustic 12-string, but I really like the idea of the controllability in a mix that this offers.
Yes!! If you try it, you’re likely to get hooked like I am. I feature Nashville tuning on way too many videos!
I will try this. Thank you SIr.
You’re welcome, Giovanni!
You make an excellent presentation including examples.
I keep a guitar setup in Nashville tuning. Plus a great 12 string that actually stays in tune. The powerful jangle feels good in my spine.
You play a Backpacker better than I have ever heard.
My Backpacker came from the factory with a pickup.
Thanks so much, swampwhiteoak! Glad you’re already into the Nashville thing and the 12-string thing. Lovin’ that jangle, right?
That's some pro tips here, High strung guitar with a normal guitar. Mixing them. Gold.
Merci Olivier! I use Nashville Tuning ALL THE TIME in the studio, and I've posted quite a few videos with one or more guitars in Nashville. Have you seen this? czcams.com/video/uw0YLaVfAwU/video.html
@@RobertCassard yes ive seen it and replicated it! Thanks
@@OliviD22 Glad to hear that!
I'm getting confused here, I'm playing on a fender neck length, I like my strings to not bend a lot. I'm guessing that using the 12 string replacements will make your E1st, B and G feel like a metal shredders guitar? Or am I missing something?
@@victorymansions On a 12-string, the High E and B Strings are simply doubled, so they are no thinner than the standard gauge of the string set you’re using. Only the 3rd string (G) tends to be thin, usually a .009.
I had no idea how to get that Pat Metheny sound till watching your video. This really opens it up for this, and so many other songs. Thanks for recording this video.
You’re totally welcome, guitarkis49! Glad it was a new discovery for you.
Super useful video! I got myself a 12 string pack and put them on an old guitar I had lying around the house. It sounds really nice and is so much fun to play!
Really glad you gave it a try, Lorenzo. Pretty magical sound, right?
If you haven't seen it yet, here's a video about layering Nashville tuned guitars with standard tuned guitars. I stack up 9 guitars at the end! czcams.com/video/uw0YLaVfAwU/video.html
@Oscar Stern the gadget guy Circuits and Strings 2 Yes, Oscar!
@@RobertCassard I want you to restring your 12 String Aooustic as a Double High Strung Guitar with 2 Sets of Nashville tuning Acoustic Strings. Speaking of Double High Strung 12 String Guitars, this is was it sounds like: czcams.com/video/iS9MiYQpH4g/video.html
Thanks so much for this video.
You’re welcome, ishtapinks!
Wow. Lots of great examples outside of classic rock/folk, not what I was expecting!
Glad I managed to surprise you, Thad! I do a LOT with Nashville tuning, including the video I released today: czcams.com/video/yzNhwlhoLnk/video.html
Great and musical video .Thanks !
Thank YOU, Da!
@@RobertCassard Welcome Bro !
Wow - messing about with tunings but your fingers still know where to go! ...that just hit me...
Top quality video content, thanks from the UK, am off to root around in my strings box 👍🎸😀
Well put, John. Suddenly playing in “standard” tuning doesn’t sound standard anymore! Have fun.
What a great presentation with comparisons of each. I heard about Nashville tuning but I didn't know what it was. Thank you very much... I'm going to try it.
I rarely produce a song without it these days. Have fun, Raymond!
@Robert Cassard I will, and thank you.
Amazing!
Glad you like this, LPFan!
Great Video! :)
Thank you, Caffeine!
So coo! Thanks for this. Cant wait to try it on my Luna travel guitar.
Have fun, Cash Money! Nashville tuning has always been addictive for me.
I knew about the tuning, and have a 12-string ...but hearing the examples brings it home. Inspired, thank you.
You're very welcome, Dan. I hope Nashville Tuning finds a place in your music!
Thanks a lot fot the lesson!!!! I have a backpaker standing there unused and just found a great use for it!!!!
You're welcome Augusto. Have fun!!
Thank you!
My pleasure, Chris. Thanks for watching.
Excellent
Thank you so much 😀 I have quite a few videos that feature Nashville tuning. I hope you check ‘em out!
Great vid
Thanks, Elisabeth.
was waiting for you to sing big time..so sound nice the guitar!
Hi Daniel...you mean, you were waiting for me to sing Kathy’s Song? I sang it in this video. While playing banjo! czcams.com/video/LNA5e6vW6Gk/video.html
Another well-known user of Nashville tuning is Ian Anderson. Listen to pretty much any Jethro Tull song with acoustic guitar and you'll hear him playing his high-strung parlor guitar, it's an integral part of the Tull sound. :)
Yes, yes, yes, Tommy! Thanks for that reminder. It's the perfect tuning for the "troubadour" sound.
Tommy Blackwell: Are you sure Ian Anderson was playing Nashville tuning? I have learned almost everything he did acoustically and it seems all he does (with exception of a few) is capo the guitar on the 3rd fret. Take "Thick as a Brick" for instance.........I am pretty sure Ian Anderson never used Nashville tuning. He simply used the capo!
Thank you.
My pleasure, Mike. Glad you’re enjoying the dive into Nashville tuning!
Spectacular
Thank you, Kevin. Here’s a companion video on Nashville Tuning using 9 guitars: NASHVILLE TUNING + Standard Tuning - Layered Guitars - Pro Recording Secret -Guitar Discoveries #32
czcams.com/video/uw0YLaVfAwU/video.html
@@RobertCassard yup! I watch both videos. Ordered some string sets and I will be having fun soon. Thanks for the education and inspiration
Improvised my knowledge!
Glad you learned something, Shrii Dev!
Very cool video. I keep one of my guitars in Nashville tuning but I've never tried it on my electric guitars. Now I will.
You should, Andrew! Great use for an electric that doesn't get a lot of love or one that's relatively short scale. 🌟
@@RobertCassard Excellent Just found Nashville electric guitar strings! Thanks man. I always wondered about that high end guitar on Jumping Jack Flash. Now I know!
@@andy65guitar The video I released today contains clips from an earlier video about layering guitars and using Nashville Tuning. Check it out: czcams.com/video/2rHy3_tHNW8/video.html
Incredible, I see how it really can cut thru a mix,
can't wait to try it, ;-)
Right on! Come back and tell me how it goes for you.
very well done--interesting and thorough. if you haven't already done so, try open g tuning. lotsa possibilities, especially with a slide!
I love Open G. You can hear it (with slide) on two tracks, played on my Stella guitar in this video: czcams.com/video/iYlgv3AGFBQ/video.html
Kathys song
thanks, Richard!
very nice
Thanks, Narratizando
Since our current worship leader leads with guitar, I converted my Yamaha LL6M dreadnaught to Nashville tuning. It really sounds great layered with his acoustic.
You’re bringing the magic to each service, Michael!
Great stuff.
One thing: there is no need to split a 12-string set. D'Addario make a nickel set, EXL150H, and a PB set, EJ38H.
True! The D’Addario sets are great unless you want or need coated strings. In that case, a 12-string set of Elixirs or XS strings is the answer.
Cool
Glad you like it, Rob.
Thanks for the tip about Hey You. I have been wondering for years how he managed that intro. I'll be looking for a small body acoustic to add it to my set as I love that song to pieces.
You’re so welcome “Out There”! Come back and tell me what you end up buying.
Dude! Who ARE you?!? I use a wide variety of open tunings, many distinctly my own, but lately been exploring the more well known ones. This is an awesome treasure trove of information AND a welcomed foray into some great music. Cheers!
LOL. Welcome, Ed! Glad you found my channel and the Nashville Tuning treasure trove. There are quite a few videos here that feature at least one guitar in Nashville tuning. But I know you’ll dig this one: czcams.com/video/uw0YLaVfAwU/video.html
On your backpacker it sounds like a blend of a mandoline and a hapsichord... very cool. I have to try this on my parlour guitar. I can imagine it would sound differently on a regular full body dreadnought.
I agree with your supersonics assessment of the Backpacker's tone in Nashville tuning. High-strung tuning will sound beautiful on ANY guitar, parlor, dreadnought, you name it. But I think it's ideal for smaller body guitars, which accentuate the bright and articulate high-end. I keep coming back to my Nashville tuned Backpacker for videos, especially when I'm traveling. You might enjoy this one, in which I revisit an old Who song in Nashville Open D: czcams.com/video/klx0RG7xXDE/video.html
congrats
Thanks...congrats to you if you try Nashville tuning!
You convinced me. I’m going to put them on my Gretsch Jim Dandy.
Awesome, Stephen. That’s a perfect guitar for it
Just put a set of D’Addario’s on my Taylor GS Mini. It’s golden!! Great video🌟!
Love it, Mark. Welcome to the wonders of a high-strung guitar!
Nice. Love the examples chosen! Coincidentally have a couple sets of strings for this purpose on the way, and a Backpacker… Cheers, Daniel
…and a black Squire mini. 🤓
That’s awesome, Daniel. Come back and tell me how you like playing them and adding new layers to your music!
Yeah! The Squier Mini Strat is one of my not-so-secret weapons. Just added two tracks of Nashville tuned electric to a new recording. Expecting to release a new video showing the process in the next couple of weeks. Cheers!
@@RobertCassard Excellent!
The backpacker in Nashville sounds like a banjo, mandolin, guitar love child… very cool!
Great way to describe it!
I like following your channel
Thanks!
That travel guitar sounds so much better in Nashville tuning.
Almost Dulcimer like.
Good job.
I totally agree. It lives in Nashville tuning now, Ian.
The high strung on the Taylor Backpacker has a dulcimer vibe to it. This is a great tutorial thanks so much!
Glad you like it, Rich. I've used the Backpacker in Nashville tuning on a number of other videos and songs. Welcome to the channel!
Robert I am glad I found this channel I watched the videos on coated strings last night and thankfully the light bulb went on with the benefits!!
It’s a Martin Backpacker, not a Taylor FYI
All good Chris! New guitarists are always welcome here!
Chris Welch You’ll want the highest quality, most playable and best-sounding guitar for your budget. Budget is key. How much can you spend? Do you happen to know any experienced left-handed guitarists who can help you choose one?
I had never heard of this tuning until today. As you explained it and were playing examples of it I thought to myself “did they do this on the headmaster ritual?” Then not even 3 seconds later you gave it as an example. What are the chances?
Also you are a great youtuber so happy to have just found you
Wow, Adam. You were definitely “in tune” with my wavelength! Glad you like the channel. I hope you find lots of inspiration here.
I like the chord sequence your picking @ 8.09 👍🏻
I do, too. It’s from Kathy’s Song, written by Paul Simon. I did a Country cover version in one of my other videos: czcams.com/video/LNA5e6vW6Gk/video.html
@@RobertCassard watched the video today, thanks. Interesting 👍🏻 Good playing my Dad not so long ago given me a banjo needs setting up. I’ll get round to it. Still sounds better on acoustic though 😉 Good Cover anyways 👌🏻
Using a partial capo is great fun with a high strung guitar...great idea using a backpacker...
Thanks for the comment, Glenn. I couldn’t agree more about partial capos with high strung guitars, and small-body guitars in general. I recently did a video about using a DADGAD capo on my Martin LX1e travel guitar: czcams.com/video/kDZQgQUz4fw/video.html
just strung my tele with them. sounds so jangley.. cheers.
A Nashville-strung Tele will be among the jangliest. Have fun!
No kidding- 'Elliott Smith' came to my mind when you said 'an unsung artist' and one who 'died way to young'. I got goosebumps when you went on to take his name! 😄
Spiritually attuned moment, Ashutosh!
@@RobertCassard loved the content on your page and had to subscribe❤️
@@Ashufrost Awesome! I hope you find much more to love!!
The High G String on a Nashville Tuned Guitar is only a whole step below the High A on a Tenor Guitar, which explains why it has a Tenor Guitar sound. The Octave4Plus 6 Gauge B4 (coming soon) is a whole step above the High A on a Tenor Guitar.
Thanks Oscar
@@RobertCassard If you do some really fast strumming with Jazzy Chords, you can sound like a Tenor Guitar player in a Jazz Setting. A Nashville Tuned 6 String Banjo is the closest you're going to get to the sound of a Tenor Banjo without having one.
ah this is cool
Arigato, sensei!
Sounds like "what a pleasure" by beach fossils uses high strung tuning.
Thanks, RK. I checked that out. great example of Nashville + standard tuning!
Hey great video!! Hey what tune were you playing at 8:09? I would love to learn it whatever it is it's heavenly! Thanks and thank you for making the video!
Hey Chris. That is the guitar part for Kathy’s Song, written by Paul Simon and something you’ll find on the Sounds of Silence LP from Simon & Garfunkel. I recorded a version of it on this video about getting songwriting inspiration from Paul Simon: czcams.com/video/LNA5e6vW6Gk/video.html
Hey Robert thanks for the reply man! I want to learn some good fingerpicking like that so I can do some solo acoustic stuff. Don't have much time to learn so I have to pick pieces I want to learn and then learn them.
Robert Cassard New Nashville Tuning aka Extra-High Strung Guitar (E3, A3, D4, G4, B4, E4) is so exiting that the 6 Gauge High B will feel kinda buttery.
Should be interesting!
@@RobertCassard As a matter of fact, the 6 Gauge (and thinner) High B is made out of an experimental alloy (Along w/ some really thin wound strings like down to 13, eventually 12 etc). Octave4Plus is really clever with making super thin strings that are durable. Octave4Plus will let us know when their 12 String sets (and the 6 Gauge High B Strings) are available cause Extra-High Jangle adds alot. Once they make a string thin enough to tune to E5 on any Guitar, then we can tune an entire Guitar up an Octave w/o any issues.
Hi Robert! I just discovered Nashville tuning (Nashville stringing🙂) at a local guitar store a few weeks ago. I'd never heard it or of it, the owner said pick it up and play regular chords. It blew me away. I agree with you about using it for songwriting. Thanks for this video. I wonder if you would tell me what the finger picking pattern is that you're using starting at ~8:10? I have finger picked for the last 40 years or so and only knew maybe two patterns. I recently added a few more and would like to learn the one in your video. Thank you!
Glad you're trying the Nashville tuning/stringing, MisterE. As for finger-picking patterns, I'm 100% self-taught I just vary the fingers and order until it sounds like my favorite artists. The song I played is Kathy's Song, by Paul Simon (from the Simon & Garfunkel, Sound of Silence LP). You can probably find tabs for it online that will show you the pattern.
@@RobertCassard Thanks for the info! I thought I recognized the tune but wasn't sure what it was. I'll check for videos.
Robert Cassard Nashville Tuning works great on any Guitar, but this tuning (especially with a .006 High B) is a great way to take advantage of the small body.
Still eager to try out a High B
@@RobertCassard We all are, & Octave4Plus is on it.
@@RobertCassard The .006 High B is really really strong. If you're lucky enough you'll be able to get acces to an Octave4Plus E5 (for 25.5 or shorter scale) String so you can go to "Super Nasville Tuning" which is tuning the whole Guitar up an Octave.
@@RockStarOscarStern634 You are the world’s best advocate for Ultra High-Strung Guitars!
@@RobertCassard The technology for really thin strings (both plain & wound) is getting alot better these days.
for the love of music
Always!
Does anyone know if the opening part of “Crazy little thing called love” by Queen uses a Nashville tuned guitar? It kinda sounds like that to me. Thanks
It does have some of the high trebly sound of Nashville tuning, Andrew. But no, that’s just Freddie Mercury, playing a standard 6-string acoustic guitar in two passes - one in the left channel and another in the right. Freddie wasn’t much of a guitarist, but he wrote the song on it anyway. That’s probably why it’s one of Queen’s simplistic songs. (In concert, Freddie would sometimes play a 12-string acoustic, which is the number-of-strings and tuning equivalent of a standard 6 and a Nashville 6.) Interesting tidbit: this song is one of the very few times Bryan May didn’t play his regular self-built “Red Special” guitar in the studio, but switched to a Fender Esquire to give it more of a true rockabilly feel.
@@RobertCassard hey, thanks so much for your detailed reply. A little tidbit (that you probably already know) Bryan May uses a sixpence (an old British pre decimal coin) as a plectrum. He’s got a whole jar full of them.
Yeah…I’ve tried coins and it just doesn’t work for me.Another reason Bryan is such a master!
Nice video, thanks! To "Oscar Stern", Ok, we get it, you're some kind of a string gauge- tune guru! One question. Why the heck would anyone want to sound like Dave Matthews!
Thanks, Walter. I appreciate you watching a leaving a comment.
Robert Cassard Any Guitar can handle this tuning with any set of Nashville tuned Strings, & the 6 Gauge High B will be available in about a few years or so. You can however drop the tuning down a half step to Eb Nashville tuning & then you can sing in a lower key.
Thank you Oscar
@@RobertCassard The reason the 6 Gauge High B string isn't available is due to Covid19 lockdown. Covid19 is affecting the Octave4Plus String Company but I told Octave4Plus #StayHealthy.
Hi, thanks for your video. I will use it for a "Wild Horses" cover, but isn't it wrong at 6:26? When you show the twelve strings set, you write "Use strings 1-3-5-7-9-12. Isn't it 1-3-6-8-10-12 instead of those you show?.
Hi, Stones fan! Thanks for catching my error, my brain must have been taking a break. Because strings 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 are the same, you are right. An easier way to describe it is “Use the even numbered strings.” In other words, 2-4-6-8-10-12. Would love to hear your Wild Horses cover sometime.
@@RobertCassard Thanks so much! I think it's easier to find 12 strings set than a Nashville set in a small guitar shop and you can also use the 6 low strings for standard tuning. Thanks again for your video!
what strings u put on it? like the exact brand and model because the backpacker only allow light strings
Hi Giovanni. The 6 high strings of any Light Gauge acoustic guitar strings should work: strings 2,4,6,8,10 and 12. I use Elixir strings because coated strings last longer for me. Because the 6 “high strings” of a 12-string set are so thin and light, they actually put LESS tension and strain on the Backpacker than Martin’s recommended Extra Light Gauge acoustic set. D’Addario makes a string set specifically for Nashville tuning that also works well.
I'll never be the same!
LOL. That’s the whole idea, David! Search my channel for “Nashville tuning” and you’ll find quite a few more videos and ideas…acoustic and electric
You could also tune the instrument down a step to D (DGCFAD) so that it's easier to sing the high notes w/o straining your voice.
Yes. Once you have the guitar high-strung, you can tune it however you want, just like with a standard set.
@@RobertCassard I have a Rare D Scale Martin Backpacker & its scale length is an inch longer than a Standard Backpacker so I have it in D-Nashville Tuning (Basically Nashville Tuning but down a whole step).
@@RockStarOscarStern634 never seen one of those! Sounds cool though
@@RobertCassard Yes D Scale Instruments (such as Gypsy Jazz Guitars) have a longer scale length so they can be tuned lower.
@@RockStarOscarStern634 I know longer scale = lower tuning, but didn’t know that Martin made a long scale Backpacker
Just put my first set up my 6 string. I am not sure if I am liking this but maybe it takes time. When I go to do some lead runs, it sounds odd because of the third string. Yeah the note is correct but because of the octave change, it just seems strange. I put it on my regular guitar and not a little guitar. I do like the chord sounds but I don't think it will be my daily driver.
Thomas, you just discovered the one drawback of Nashville tuning (or any alternate tuning). Lead lines often don’t sound “right” or don’t work the same way at all. That’s why, in general, this setup is used for strummed chords or finger-picking. Rarely for lead guitar.
If you do this on, say a standard dreadnought, do you have to make any sort of neck adjustment at all?
Excellent question, Dave. Nashville tuning works just fine on a full-size acoustic. The lighter gauge bottom four strings put less stress on the neck, so it's possible you'll want to do a very minor truss rod adjustment to tweak the neck angle and intonation a bit. That said, whenever I've switched to Nashville high-strung strings, I've found most guitars are remarkably fine after the change.
Can you do a video on elliott smith guitars and tones?
I love Elliott Smith, but I’m no expert on him. I did mention one of his guitars and one of his favorite sound-blending techniques in a video about a Bill Lawrence portable pickup: czcams.com/video/C-AXiO8P4ug/video.html
Thanks, Robert. I’ve been playing since 1965 and never knew this! I am frankly embarrassed. Take care.
Now is the time for great guitar discoveries, Thomas. So happy I could share the Nashville tuning revelation with you!
Are you trying to tell us something with that All Seeing Eye cushion?
LOL Zon. What do YOU think?
Gambale Tuning is basically Nashville Transposed down a Perfect 5th, StringJoy now has a String Set designed for C (or as low as B) Nashville Tuning:czcams.com/video/tAsU4FI6zzo/video.html which is Nashville Tuning transposed down a Major Third, & the sound is a good halfway point between a Standard Guitar & a High Strung Guitar that are both tuned to E. The Gauges of the Strings they use are 13 (opt .005 from Octave4Plus for the High C5 cause these strings are so strong), 17p/17w (you can use an 8 if you want a High G), 11, 15, 24, 32 (Octave4Plus makes Wound Strings as thin as 9 etc cause of their strong core wire, lower tension, & non tinny sound).
Good info, Oscar.
I'm trying to figure out tuning is that you have to get a set-up for electric guitars and that it's better to use a spare acoustic guitar!
You can usually get away with just restringing without a setup. The intonation may not be perfect, but you can mess around and decide if you like the tuning enough to devote a guitar to it.
08:22👏👏
Thank you, Stef!
Small guitars always sound better when tuned high. It doesn't make sense to tune it like a full size guitar then complain that it sounds like a toy. A violin is about 3/4 the size of a viola and it is tuned a fifth higher. I put light gauge strings on my Martin LXK2 and tune to G standard and it really comes to life.
Love the point about violins and violas. Each instrument has its rightful place in the frequency range.
Hello the All-Seeing Eye of moloch in the background on your pillow good video by the way to
First person to catch Moloch at all. Thanks, Dale.
@@RobertCassard I would have said the Eye of Horus but you know it all the same the devil has many names LOL
@@RobertCassard I just acquired one of the original Martin Backpackers single one piece back so that's how I came across your video I will subscribe my current full-size guitar is a Breedlove Jeff Bridges model Oregon made ac5r Yamaha japanese-made and squire Telecaster
It probably is the Eye of Horus…no pyramids!
Cool. Sounds like you have similar taste is guitars.
Ok it is interesting if combined with a guitar tuned as usual.
Yes, Philou!
I took a Martin Backbacker on an actual backpacking trip at it literally corkscrewed the entire thing in the humidity and pressure changes, cracked in half, unusable, unrecogizable. They are absolutely not meant for backpacking and sound like shit anyway imo. Don't understand why you like it just sounds like half a guitar, makes sense if you want a humble almost uke kinda sound I guess.
Thanks for sharing that nasty experience, Tinnitusthenight! You might get a kick out of this video, if you haven't seen it: czcams.com/video/zVCu8tIQRkQ/video.html You're obviously in the "hate it" camp!
@@RobertCassard Ill check it out you got me interested to hear what I might have missed in it. I mean you definitely cant beat the weight.
Nice! It's been years since I used this tuning and also have that Martin in storage. Great combo idea. Time to dust it off and give it a try. Now thinking of experimenting on my old Fender 3-neck 8 String Master Steel. Got an extra neck or two, why not?! Thanks for the refresher, great vid. Subscribe everybody!
So glad this was a dose of Nashville inspiration, Jeff. Have you seen the video where I layer the heck of standard and Nashville tuned guitars? czcams.com/video/uw0YLaVfAwU/video.html
@@RobertCassard Works great. You escape that 'wall of guitars' trap and have something more orchestral. Way more fun for an engineer too I'll bet as it gives them something to play with. Great vids Robert
I like you describing it as orchestral, Jeff. Layering on one kind or another of odd or interestingly voiced guitars is my preferred way to build a track. I often start out with a single guitar and then add one at a time strategically until I’m bathed in sonically complementary guitar sounds. It’s always a blast to see how the guitorchestra grows and combines!
Or is it guitarchestra?
@@RobertCassard Better. Guitars are such a great instrument and the closest instrument to the human voice in my opinion. Also Jacob Collier is a good study on 'expansion' layers. You just did it with your second video. Instead of nine guitars in the center you spread to the far left and right in tonal range. You've done this before son
6:20 Beat the system!
Yep, Mike. 12-string sets usually aren’t as expensive as buying a separate standard 6 set and a high-strung 6 set.
actually i just know this tuning beacause of holocene - bon iver this sounds great
Thanks, Pendaki. I hadn’t thought about Bon Iver using Nashville tuning, but it makes complete sense!
@@RobertCassard sure, i broke my strings because this tuning before haha
@@pendakipeyok5079 yeah...don’t try Nashville tuning without the right set of strings! ;-) Four strings will break...and maybe take your bridge and neck along with them!
I wonder how vital having 2 high E strings is. I'm just thinking about the vihuela.
Hi David. Yeah, as a 5-string instrument, tuned A-D-G-B-E, the Mexican vihuela is “missing” only the “low” E of Nashville tuning. If the vihuela is played along with standard tuned guitar(s), you’d probably never notice the missing lower E because the standard guitars would be providing that pitch and the pitched around it.
I also think Stones had an open G tuning guitar in Wild Horses
Absolutely correct. Upon closer listen Mick Taylor was playing and Open G tuning, but high-strung!
@@RobertCassard I call it Open High G Tuning (D3, G3, D4, G4, B3, D4) cause it's a Nashville String set in Open G tuning.
@UCWAl8GGqChRYwGQRzeeDGBg
This New Nashville Tuning String set (with a B4) is built off of a set of 9s (extra lights) to facilitate pliability. As a result we start with a 9 for the High E String, then instead of a 13 (plain or wound) for the B String we'll go with a 6 because it gives us some extra-high shimmer, then of course an 8 for the G String, 11 for the D String, 16w for the A String because it's super flexible & strong, & of course 26w for the Low E.
Octave4Plus is working very hard to make super thin plain & wound strings.
You sound like a salesperson for Octave4Plus!
@@RobertCassard Well I'm one of them, and yeah the 6 Gauge High B is special cause it's an Experimental Alloy. It's called an Experimental alloy because as string technology gets updated, the alloy will get stronger and more flexible.
New Nashville Tuning can also be called "High B Nashville Tuning" cause there's now a High B String at .006 wwhich extends the range & brightens the sound. Octave4Plus has us covered.
The High Bs still aren't available. And when they are, they'll cost about $7 a string. Modern rocket science for music!
@@RobertCassard $7 that's fantastic.
@@RobertCassard I wish D'addario could make the same types of Strings like Octave4Plus did such as Plain Strings as thin as 5.9, 3, etc, and even wound strings as thin as 13w, 9w, etc because they would give D'addario guys more options. It would also rock if they had Half Gauge (even Fractional) Gauge Strings for Basses, & other instruments because musicians will have more flexibility.
@@RobertCassard D'addario has to collaborate with Garry Goodman to make more strings.
@@RockStarOscarStern634 That would be great!
I’m converting a Tele and Takamine tomorrow, but what about nut issues?
I’ve never had a problem with the nut slots being too wide, etc. some of that may be because a Nashville tuned guitar is almost always layered with a standard tuned guitar. If the intonation isn’t perfect, that just means more jangle!
@@RobertCassard That’s what I’m figuring! More jangle!
Plus, I’m no Tommy Emmanuel anyway.
@@Ira88881 don’t have to be Tommy to make some great sounds…
@@RobertCassard I’ve seen him live twice. Nothing is great compared to what he can do.
He’s an inspiration for me to burn all my guitars.
@@Ira88881 LOL. I know it can feel that way, but take a deep breath and don't light a match!