Secrets to the 4-String Cigar Box Guitar

[@cgtriplett]

Justin, Thank You Brother! This tuning was an epiphany! I built a 3-stringer two years ago, tuned to open G, got real comfortable on that, recently had a 4-stringer resonator custom made for me, and could not get comfortable with it, until I saw this vid. I tried many different tunings, none clicked for me like the open A. When I tuned to open A, was grooving away immediately, it's just intuitive, I don't know why open G and E have such dominance, now that I've tried open A.

[@iforget8716]

Just to be clear what makes this turning interesting is not that it’s an open A tuning but rather that it’s a root followed by a first inversion triad rather than the more typical root followed by a second inversion triad. I only mention this because if you play a lot of country/folk blues which is more often in G or C it’s easier to play with others if you have an instrument tuned in open G. If you take Justin’s tuning of « A-C#-E-a »and bring all strings down one note to « G-B-D-g » you’ll be in a form of Open G and everything in Justin’s lesson still works. Great lesson Justin!

[@Khethatipet]

35 years old, I've never grasped how to play. This is so helpful. Thank you! Saw you playing a New Mexico plate the other day, will be making my own resonator/electric soon out of Hawaii.

[@zandermagic]

OMGOSH Justin this is fantastic! Thank you so very much! Guitarist for 36 years, having hand trouble now and this looks like a God send for a musical outlet. I sure it’s on one of your videos, but where is a good place to find an inexpensive box guitar. Thank you again, you are an amazing player and teacher!

[@stevenmiles]

Really great of you to share what you've learned Justin. You are a natural at teaching and that is a specialty in itself. Kudos!

[@EndingTimes0]

"no wrong way to do it" - You havent heard me try to play...lol

[@tnysteph]

I have been working with a 3 string. I have to get the lite touch with the slide. Having fun, but there is a ton to learn. Thanks for the videos.

[@davidbates7158]

Dude I have learned so much from your lessons but the one on slide four string what is the first thing I saw after I got that guitar and it saved me.

[@DirtJutter]

I went with DGBd for starters, because it closely resembles the standard 6-string tuning. If I want to add more low end I use an octave pedal.

[@andrewholt4324]

Thank you Justin I always learn something new from you. This is so good, a great addition to my collection of tunings! just a great bluesy sound 😀🎸

[@Aliestwill]

Thanks for this! Built a 4 string a couple of years back....great little guitar.... but found that 4th string awkward until now. Love the A tuning

[@brendamitchell1014]

You certainly know what you are doing. Hey Texas license plate! Love it!

[@yevetteyork4456]

I've got to get a 4 string Cigar box guitar. And thank you for the fyi on a pre amp. And the lessons in tuneage :)you are the Wizard!

[@shannonconrad4988]

Cool lesson. Love the linearness of the slide. That B string 3rd on a six string is no factor here. Cool!

[@BaddMuzic]

Thanks Justin, I'm off to build a four stringer now!

[@studiodespenates]

Thanks for those cool tips on this tuning that I discovered today.

[@mitchcook6131]

I hurt my hand with a table saw and couldn't play a friend gave me a 4 string shoe box and a slide and said there you go and I'm like what, then I saw your vidio, made there's hope for and old man yet! good job thanks . srv rip!

[@mikeknowlden9617]

1st love your stuff. Your teaching is easy to follow. Please explain major 3rd major 5th of what? The minor has the same questions I get lost in this area of music theroy

[@mougabo]

this is amazing, do you actually have like a beginner course for this type of guitar online??? wow

[@theWZZA]

Thank you, Justin. I just made a 4-string and this helps a lot!

[@pihtbull3055]

Thank you justin ! Ive been so annoyed with the 4th string abd this video made it finally click !

[@BONECOSHERMES]

Assisti a sua apresentação em agosto 2014, fera demais.

[@roddieruddie4545]

Love that.

[@icebob8555]

Sounds great similar to Banjo tuning (DGbd)

[@chuckHart70]

Thanks! Justin! Really, really gives me something to do when sitting up at 1am. :-)

[@swrncpete]

Thanks!

[@WillieBeard]

I've watched this video alot. Love it. The tone on that guitar is so fat and awesome. Resonates great. Any idea if they ship to the US? Thanks!

[@justinjohnsonlive]

+PC Betts Yes I believe they do ship worldwide. I love Gumbo Guitars, and have played several of their guitars on my European tours.

[@billbannochie457]

Hello, I am getting a 4 string c.b.g and would like to try this open A tuning from the 4 middle strings of a six pack. Can you please tell me what gauge set I should use 9s, 10s 11s or 12s and should they be an acoustic or electric set? Any advice to this newbie would be extremely grateful.

[@joeshea1010]

many thanks for sharing!

[@f1948s]

Justin can you give me a little advice? What should the spacing be on a 4-string CBG guitar if you want to play it in finger style most of the time? Thanks,

[@theWZZA]

If you use a screw as the nut and bridge, just try different spacing to find what is comfortable to you. You can get fine-pitch screws for more teeth and therefore, more options.

[@1430sl]

Very thanks for your videos. One question, Type of string, acoustic or electric? What is the best option and why?

[@WordMinistry]

Can you please do a slide "vibrato" lesson :-)

[@justinjohnsonlive]

+WordMinistry maybe this will help... kzbin.info/www/bejne/inyrfIxrj9icpsU

[@JoseGarcia-yk3dl]

Great! for slide....what ist the best option, 3 or 4 strings? Very thanks for your job!

[@justinjohnsonlive]

rootsmusicschool.org/2015/11/23/3-string-or-4-string-how-to-decide-which-is-right-for-you/

[@suparosc02]

Can this work on a bass?

[@guybartlett9587]

thank you

[@Derek48519]

U think u can rip it up with Jesse Stewart? Apex NC appreciator.

[@andylane8815]

I'm making one with a 56 be lair plate. Any suggestions?

[@jeffwilliams3177]

Texas plate, yo!

[@diegoperez8801]

Muy bueno

[@robertburns5090]

You rock bro, how the heck do you remember all that stuff. lol

[@КонстантинПавлов-е7ч]

Да играй уже, Мастер )))

[@brokebackbasement]

To all my guitar player friends check this out

[@Rochgoju]

Song name?

[@paulhammons7077]

😅

[@paulhammons7077]

Gg 😊