Results 1 to 12 of 12

Thread: 5 String Archtop Tenor

  1. #1

    Default 5 String Archtop Tenor

    Mostly a lurker around this and other forums, and venturing now into Tenor guitars and possibly other mandolin family instruments.

    This is an archtop nearing completion that I guess you could say is a hybrid of styles and building techniques.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_20211203_162751077.jpg 
Views:	115 
Size:	612.1 KB 
ID:	197931Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_20211203_162733488.jpg 
Views:	118 
Size:	665.4 KB 
ID:	197932Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_20211205_142859308.jpg 
Views:	120 
Size:	1.10 MB 
ID:	197933

    The body is Beech (sinker wood from Great Lakes), the neck is Maple and Cherry, and the top is Western Red Cedar.

    The scale length is 22.5". It will have 5 strings and I expect tuning to be GDAEA.

    Any one have other suggestions for tuning? I don't believe I will be able to go lower than "G".

    I set it up today with one string for a test drive. I think it's gonna sound pretty good.

    I do hope to offer instruments for sale in the near future, and no, I don't have a waiting list.

  2. The following members say thank you to Brett S. for this post:

    fox 

  3. #2
    Registered User Ben Vierra's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Vancouver, Washington
    Posts
    81

    Default Re: 5 String Archtop Tenor

    That's the tuning I would try first, if I had a 5-string tenor. Glad you're trying the beech - I'd like to know how that works out. Looks like a fun project!

  4. The following members say thank you to Ben Vierra for this post:


  5. #3
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Humboldt County, CA
    Posts
    626

    Default Re: 5 String Archtop Tenor

    I have a few 5-string tenors with that scale. I use FCGDA and find it really accessible. Straight 5ths across the strings.

    -DJW

  6. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to djweiss For This Useful Post:


  7. #4
    '`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`' Jacob's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Posts
    1,130

    Default Re: 5 String Archtop Tenor

    I would tune it GDAEB, all 5ths.

  8. #5

    Default Re: 5 String Archtop Tenor

    Quote Originally Posted by djweiss View Post
    I have a few 5-string tenors with that scale. I use FCGDA and find it really accessible. Straight 5ths across the strings.

    -DJW
    I'd love to see what your tenors look like. What scale length and what do you use for your F string? Who made them?

  9. #6

    Default Re: 5 String Archtop Tenor

    Quote Originally Posted by Jacob View Post
    I would tune it GDAEB, all 5ths.
    If I can ask, what do you use for your B string, and what is your scale length?

  10. #7
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Humboldt County, CA
    Posts
    626

    Default Re: 5 String Archtop Tenor

    Quote Originally Posted by Brett S. View Post
    I'd love to see what your tenors look like. What scale length and what do you use for your F string? Who made them?
    My 5-strings were all made by Paul Lestock of Arrow Guitar & Mandolin. Scale length is ~22.75" if I recall (I'm not near them at the moment).

    I generally use a regular guitar pack and drop the "D" string:

    For my acoustics (flat-top and arch-top), I currently use 0.050, 0.040, 0.023-wound, 0.015, and 0.011.
    For my solid-body electrics, I currently sue 0.046, 0.036, 0.026-wound, 0.013, and 0.010

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Quiver.jpg 
Views:	107 
Size:	179.1 KB 
ID:	197943

  11. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to djweiss For This Useful Post:


  12. #8
    '`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`' Jacob's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Posts
    1,130

    Default Re: 5 String Archtop Tenor

    Quote Originally Posted by Brett S. View Post
    If I can ask, what do you use for your B string, and what is your scale length?
    Sorry, I don't have a 5 string tenor, but, if I did, it would be tuned in 5ths.

  13. #9

    Default Re: 5 String Archtop Tenor

    A little late to this conversation...why a 5-string tenor? What are the advantages over a 4-string besides a slightly fuller sound? I've been playing CGDA for a few years off-and-on and am always interested in a new experience.

    I also am interested in an acoustic archtop tenor but a smaller body than the 50's era Gibsons. Any suggestions on builders or vintage I might want to look for?

    Thanks to all.

  14. #10
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Fort Lauderdale, FL
    Posts
    3,856

    Default Re: 5 String Archtop Tenor

    Quote Originally Posted by malarz View Post
    I also am interested in an acoustic archtop tenor but a smaller body than the 50's era Gibsons. Any suggestions on builders or vintage I might want to look for?
    Herb Taylor http://www.herbtaylor.com/instruments/tenorguitar/
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
    2005 National RM-1
    2007 Hester A5
    2009 Passernig A5
    2015 Black A2-z
    2010 Black GBOM
    2017 Poe Scout
    2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
    2018 Vessel TM5
    2019 Hogan F5

  15. #11

    Default Re: 5 String Archtop Tenor

    Quote Originally Posted by Brett S. View Post
    Mostly a lurker around this and other forums, and venturing now into Tenor guitars and possibly other mandolin family instruments.

    This is an archtop nearing completion that I guess you could say is a hybrid of styles and building techniques.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_20211203_162751077.jpg 
Views:	115 
Size:	612.1 KB 
ID:	197931Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_20211203_162733488.jpg 
Views:	118 
Size:	665.4 KB 
ID:	197932Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_20211205_142859308.jpg 
Views:	120 
Size:	1.10 MB 
ID:	197933

    The body is Beech (sinker wood from Great Lakes), the neck is Maple and Cherry, and the top is Western Red Cedar.

    The scale length is 22.5". It will have 5 strings and I expect tuning to be GDAEA.

    Any one have other suggestions for tuning? I don't believe I will be able to go lower than "G".

    I set it up today with one string for a test drive. I think it's gonna sound pretty good.

    I do hope to offer instruments for sale in the near future, and no, I don't have a waiting list.
    I’m having a 5 string solid body built for me. I plan on tuning to open G a la Keith Richards, G D G B D.
    Tenor Guitar & Lap Steel Freak
    https://papadafoe.com/tenor-guitar-tunings

  16. #12
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Humboldt County, CA
    Posts
    626

    Default Re: 5 String Archtop Tenor

    5-sting provides a low F below CGDA. For me, I like the frequency range closer to 6-string guitar, and transposing between mandolin (GDAE) and 5-string tenor (FCGDA) is really easy. Most of my 4-string tenors are tuned either FCGD or GDAE (octave mandolin)....


    Quote Originally Posted by malarz View Post
    A little late to this conversation...why a 5-string tenor? What are the advantages over a 4-string besides a slightly fuller sound? I've been playing CGDA for a few years off-and-on and am always interested in a new experience.

    I also am interested in an acoustic archtop tenor but a smaller body than the 50's era Gibsons. Any suggestions on builders or vintage I might want to look for?

    Thanks to all.

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •