Terz guitar: Tuning and string gauge?

drewsblues · May 14th, 2008, 04:18 PM

Hey folks. I've got a little Martin "terz" guitar that is, as I understand it, designed to be tuned up 3 half-steps from standard guitar tuning (G-C-F-Bb-D-G). Because of the short scale-length, I'm wondering if it's safe to use medium-gauge bronze strings and still crank up the tension (the manual says it's designed for mediums, but at standard or terz tuning?).

http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/516GT.htm

I've had the thing for a couple of years now, but never had the guts to leave it tuned up for long -- I'm worried about the bridge and long term damage that the extra tension might cause.

Anybody else have one of these? Is it safe to tune it up to terz tuning with medium strings, or should I put lighter ones on there?

Advice is appreciated.

uniphasian · May 14th, 2008, 07:15 PM

Yes.

I play a '57 Martin 5-18 that sounds great tuned to terz-pitch with Pearse Phosphor Bronze mediums. It's been that way for years with no sign of trouble what-so-ever.

I got this guitar in trade for a fishing pole. The guy that had it hated the sound - but he had it tuned to standard pitch. I didn't like it there, either...

May 14th, 2008, 04:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
drewsblues Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 260 9 Photos	Terz guitar: Tuning and string gauge? Hey folks. I've got a little Martin "terz" guitar that is, as I understand it, designed to be tuned up 3 half-steps from standard guitar tuning (G-C-F-Bb-D-G). Because of the short scale-length, I'm wondering if it's safe to use medium-gauge bronze strings and still crank up the tension (the manual says it's designed for mediums, but at standard or terz tuning?). http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/516GT.htm I've had the thing for a couple of years now, but never had the guts to leave it tuned up for long -- I'm worried about the bridge and long term damage that the extra tension might cause. Anybody else have one of these? Is it safe to tune it up to terz tuning with medium strings, or should I put lighter ones on there? Advice is appreciated. __________________ -- Drew Last edited by drewsblues; May 14th, 2008 at 06:56 PM.

May 14th, 2008, 07:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
uniphasian Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Denver, CO Age: 48 Posts: 156	Yes. I play a '57 Martin 5-18 that sounds great tuned to terz-pitch with Pearse Phosphor Bronze mediums. It's been that way for years with no sign of trouble what-so-ever. I got this guitar in trade for a fishing pole. The guy that had it hated the sound - but he had it tuned to standard pitch. I didn't like it there, either... __________________ - Uni