Tunings, part 5: Linear vs. Partitioned Tunings

 

To date, my doubleneck instruments are in tunings that are intended to be separate.  In other words, the two necks on a given instrument are in the same register, but with very different tunings.  The one exception to this is the 30-string Contra-Alto guitar.  The left neck is an 18-string Contraguitar in Subcontra D tuning, and the right neck is a 12-string Alto guitar in Alto G tuning.  This is what I mean by "partitioned" tunings, or perhaps more accurately regarding the 30-string, partitioned registers.

Recently, the thought occurred to me to attempt a tuning/registral scenario for the 30 wherein both necks form two parts of one larger tuning.  In other words, the second tuning is a registral and connected extension of the first tuning, making for one broad and linear tuning instead of two separate tunings.  One tuning that extends across both necks in a linear fashion.

Of course, this requires some setup work on the Alto side of the instrument; nut, bridge saddle, and even course spacing will need work.  Determining the set of string gauges will also be a bit of a challenge.

More to come.

-kk