Standard and Octave Tunings     
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      36    30    27    24    C1    C2    C3    17    15    Alto 12    Soprano 12    

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All strings are by John Pearse.

 

 

17

Emerald Kevin Kastning Signature model 17-string Hybrid Extended Classical guitar                                                                                                                     Top
String Nos: treble = 1; bass = 17; (octave strings in lower-case)

January 2020

String No. 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning E a A e E a A d D g G B B E E A A
Gauge .080w .036 .060w .026 .045w .018p .036w .012 .030w 0.009 .034p 0.017 .030p 0.010 .026p 0.008 .018p
Compound Silver Phos bronze Silver Phos bronze Silver P Silver P Silver P Fluro P Fluro P Fluro P Fluro
Type Lute Steel-str Lute Steel-str Clx. gtr. Steel-str Clx. gtr. Steel-str Clx. gtr. Steel-str Clx. gtr. Steel-str Clx. gtr. Steel-str Clx. gtr. Steel-str Clx. gtr.

 

January 2018

String No. 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning F# b B e E a A d D g G B B E E A A
Gauge .075w .036 .060w .024 .045w .018p .036w .012 .030w 0.009 .034p 0.017 .030p 0.010 .026p 0.008 .018p
Compound Silver Nickel Silver Nickel Silver P Silver P Silver P Fluro P Fluro P Fluro P Fluro
Type Lute Steel-str Lute Steel-str Clx. gtr. Steel-str Clx. gtr. Steel-str Clx. gtr. Steel-str Clx. gtr. Steel-str Clx. gtr. Steel-str Clx. gtr. Steel-str Clx. gtr.

 

July 2018

String No. 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning D g G e E a A d D g G B B E E A A
Gauge .080w .036 .070w .024 .045w .018p .036w .012 .041 0.009 .036p 0.017 .029p 0.010 .026p 0.008 .018p
Compound Silver Nickel Silver Nickel Silver P Silver P Fluro P Fluro P Fluro P Fluro P Fluro
Type Lute Steel-str Lute Steel-str Clx. gtr. Steel-str Clx. gtr. Steel-str Clx. gtr. Steel-str Clx. gtr. Steel-str Clx. gtr. Steel-str Clx. gtr. Steel-str Clx. gtr.


 

 

15

 

Emerald Kevin Kastning Signature model 15-string Extended Classical guitar                                                                                                                                                 Top
String Nos: treble = 1; bass = 15; (octave strings in lower-case)
 

15-string Extended Classical guitar

August 2023

15-string CLX                              
String No. 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning E A E A A D D G G B B E E A A
Gauge .080w .060w .045w .036w .036w .030w .030w .036w .026w .032p .032p  .026p .026p .018p .016p
Compound Phos B. Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Fluro Silver Fluro Fluro Fluro Fluro Fluro Fluro
Weight           Alt:   100 lb.   80 lb. 80 lb. 50 lb. 50 lb. 30 lb.  30 lb.
Original           .036p .036p                
Type           Fluro Fluro                
            100 lb. 100 lb.                

 

 

January 2020

String No. 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning E A E A A D D G G B B E E A A
Gauge .080w .060w .045w .036w .036w .030w .030w .026p .026p .032p .032p  .026p .026p .018 .018
Compound Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Flurocarbon Flurocarbon Flurocarbon Flurocarbon Flurocarbon Flurocarbon
Type Lute Lute Clx. gtr. Clx. gtr. Clx. gtr. Clx. gtr. Clx. gtr. Clx. gtr. Clx. gtr. P P P P P P

February 2018

String No. 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning F# B E A A D D G G B B E E A A
Gauge .070w .060w .045w .036w .036w .030w .030w .026p .026p .032p .032p  .026p .026p .018 .018
Compound Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Silver Flurocarbon Flurocarbon Flurocarbon Flurocarbon Flurocarbon Flurocarbon
Type Lute Lute Clx. gtr. Clx. gtr. Clx. gtr. Clx. gtr. Clx. gtr. Clx. gtr. Clx. gtr. P P P P P P


 

36

Emerald Kevin Kastning Signature model 36-string Double Contraguitar                                                                                                                                                                                                 Top
String Nos: treble = 1; bass = 18; (octave strings in lower-case)
Compound: phosB = phosphor bronze; N = nickel; 80/20 = 80/20 bronze; P = plain

36-string Double Contraguitar:

July 2018

Left (altered tunings):

String No. 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning a A e E a A d D g G b B e E a a d d
Gauge .064w .130w .050w .105w .040w .085w .026w .065w .017p .050w .016p .040w .010p .026w  .017p .017p .014p .014p
Compound phosB N phosB N phosB phosB phosB phosB P phosB P phosB P phosB P P P P
Type   bass   bass   bass bass bass

Right (octave tuning):

String No. 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning a A e E a A d D g G b B e E a a d d
Gauge .064w .130w .050w .105w .040w .085w .026w .060w .017p .050w .016p .040w .010p .026w .017p .017p .014p .014p
Compound phosB N phosB N phosB N phosB phosB P phosB P phosB P phosB P P P P
Type   bass   bass   bass bass bass

 


January 2018

Left (altered tunings):

String No. 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning b B e E a A d D g G b B e E a a d d
Gauge .060w .130w .050w .105w .040w .085w .026w .065w .017p .050w .016p .040w .010p .026w  .017p .017p .014p .014p
Compound phosB N phosB N phosB phosB phosB phosB P phosB P phosB P phosB P P P P
Type   bass   bass   bass bass bass

Right (octave tuning):

String No. 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning b B e E a A d D g G b B e E a a d d
Gauge .060w .130w .050w .105w .040w .085w .026w .060w .017p .050w .016p .040w .010p .026w .017p .017p .014p .014p
Compound phosB N phosB N phosB N phosB phosB P phosB P phosB P phosB P P P P
Type   bass   bass   bass bass bass

 

 

30

Emerald Kevin Kastning Signature model 30-string Contra-Alto guitar                                                                                                                                                                                                 Top
String Nos: treble = 1; bass = 18; (octave strings in lower-case)
Compound: phosB = phosphor bronze; N = nickel; 80/20 = 80/20 bronze; P = plain

 

Emerald KK30 30-string Contra-Alto                                                                                                                                                                                                         Top
String Nos: treble = 1; bass = 18; (octave strings in lower-case)
Compound: phosB = phosphor bronze; N = nickel; 80/20 = 80/20 bronze; P = plain

April 2025                                        
30-string L D octaves tuning - April 2025                                
String No. 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1    
Tuning a A d D g G c C f F a A d D g  g  c c    
Gauge .064w .130w .050w .105w .040w .085w .036w .065w .020w .050w .017p .040w .015p .026w .015p .015p .013p .013p    
Compound N N N N N N N N N N P N P N P P P P    
Type gtr bass gtr bass gtr bass gtr bass gtr bass gtr gtr gtr gtr gtr gtr gtr gtr    
                                         
30-string R A bari - full octaves - April 2025                                   
String No. 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1                
Tuning a   A d D g G c C e E a A                
Gauge .040 .064 .030 .050 .020w .040 .014 .030w .011 .024w .008 .017                
Compound N N N N N N N N P N P P                
                                         
                                         
                                         

 

18-string Contraguitar:

String No. 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning b B e E a A d D g G b B e E a a d d
Gauge .056w .130w .046w .105w .036w .080w .026w .060w .017p .050w .016p .040w .010p .026w .016p .016p .012p .012p
Compound phosB N phosB N phosB N phosB phosB P 80/20 P 80/20 P 80/20 P P P P

 

Alto 12-string gauges for courses in unison tuning
String Nos: treble = 1; bass = 12; phosphor bronze

12-string Alto/Soprano:

String No. 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning A A D D G G C C E E A A
Gauge 0.036w 0.036w 0.026w 0.026w 0.020w 0.020w 0.014p 0.014p 0.010p 0.010p 0.009p 0.009p
Compound phosB phosB phosB phosB phosB phosB P P P P P P

 

Alto 12-string gauges for courses in octave tuning
String Nos: treble = 1; bass = 12; phosphor bronze

12-string Alto/Soprano:

String No. 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning a A d D g G C C E E A A
Gauge 0.015p 0.036w 0.013p 0.026w 0.010p 0.020w 0.014p 0.014p 0.010p 0.010p 0.009p 0.009p
Compound P phosB P phosB P phosB P P P P P P

 

 

 

Soprano 12

Emerald 12-string Soprano guitar                                                                                                                                                                     Top
String Nos: treble = 1; bass = 12

String Nos: treble = 1; bass = 12; (octave strings in lower-case)
Compound: phosB = phosphor bronze; N = nickel; 80/20 = 80/20 bronze; P = plain
 

String No. 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning D D G G B B E E A A D D
Gauge .039w .039w .030w .030w .022w .022w .014p .014p .010p .010p .008p .008p
Compound phos phos phos phos phos phos p p p p p p


 

 

27

Emerald KK Series 27-string Double Contraguitar                                                                                                                                                             Top

String Nos: treble = 1; bass = 12; (octave strings in lower-case)
Compound: phosB = phosphor bronze; N = nickel; 80/20 = 80/20 bronze; P = plain

E Contra tuning April 2023           2nd course------------------------------| 1st course-------------------------------|
Right side                            
String No. 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning e E a A d D g G b b B e e E
Gauge 0.040w 0.085w 0.032w 0.056w 0.022w 0.046w 0.018w 0.036w 0.013p 0.013p 0.026w 0.010p 0.010p 0.024w
String type:   bass                       nickel
                             
                             
                             
E Contra tuning April 2023               1st course-------------------------------|  
Left side                            
String No. 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1  
Tuning e E a A d D g G b B e e E  
Gauge 0.040w 0.085w 0.032w 0.056w 0.022w 0.046w 0.017p 0.036w 0.013 0.026w 0.010p 0.010p 0.024w  
String type:   bass                     nickel  

 

 

 

 

Emerald 24-string Double Baritone guitar - KK Signature Series

String Nos: treble = 1; bass = 12; (octave strings in lower-case)
Compound: phosB = phosphor bronze; N = nickel; 80/20 = 80/20 bronze; P = plain

24 L     8.15.22                  
F# bari F# tuning                      
String No. 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning f#   F# b B e E a A c# C# f# F#
Gauge 0.036 0.080 0.026w 0.056w 0.020w 0.046w 0.017p 0.036w 0.013p 0.026w 0.011p 0.022w
  N phosB phosB phosB phosB phosB P phosB P phosB P phosB
                         
24 R                        
A bari A tuning                      
String No. 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning a A d D g G c C e E a A
Gauge 0.036w 0.062 0.030w 0.050 0.018w 0.040 0.012 0.030 0.010 0.024 0.008 0.016
  N phosB phosB phosB phosB phosB P phosB P phosB P P
                         

 

24

Emerald KK Series 24-string Double Subcontraguitar                                                                                                                                                 Top

String Nos: treble = 1; bass = 12; (octave strings in lower-case)
Compound: phosB = phosphor bronze; N = nickel; 80/20 = 80/20 bronze; P = plain

 

As of 2.15.23, both necks are in D subcontra tuning.

D sub-contra tuning                      
both sides                          
String No. 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1  
Tuning d D g G c C f F a A d D  
Gauge 0.046w 0.085w 0.032w 0.060w 0.022w 0.050w 0.018w 0.040w 0.014p 0.030w 0.011p 0.024w  
String type:   bass                      
                         

 

 

 

C1


Roberts Kevin Kastning 17-string Contraguitar C1                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Top                                 
String Nos: treble = 1; bass = 17; (octave strings in lower-case)
Compound: phosB = phosphor bronze; N = nickel; 80/20 = 80/20 bronze; P = plain

C1  17-string Contraguitar Subcontra C# fifths tuning

November 2022

  C# - Fifths Nov. 2022  C# hybrid gauges set - this tuning is in use.             
String No. 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning G# g# C# c# F# f# B b E d# G# g# C# c# F# f# B
5ths Gauge .100w .050w .085w .040w .066w .026w .046w .022w .040w .016p .030w .012p .020w .020p .016p .008 .016p
Compound N phosB N phosB N phosB phosB P 80/20 P 80/20 P 80/20 P P P P

 

E octaves tuning

String No. 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning B e E a A d D g G b B e E a a d d
Gauge .100w .046w .080w .036w .060w .026w .046w .017p .040w .016p .030w .012p .020w .016p .016p .010p .010p
Compound N phosB N phosB N phosB phosB P 80/20 P 80/20 P 80/20 P P P P

 

 

C1  17-string Contraguitar Subcontra D fifths tuning

January 2021

  D - Fifths Jan.2021                              
String No. 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning A a D d G g C c F e A a D c g f c
5ths Gauge .100w .046w .080w .036w .060w .026w .046w .022w .040w .016p .030w .012p .020w .020p .016p .016 .010p
Compound N N N phosB N phosB phosB P 80/20 P 80/20 P 80/20 P P P P
Octave Gauge .100w .046w .080w .036w .060w .026w .046w .017p .040w .016p .030w .012p .020w .016p .016p .010p .010p

 

 

C2

Roberts Kevin Kastning 16-string Contraguitar C2                                                                                                                                                                                                      Top
String Nos: treble = 1; bass = 16; (octave strings in lower-case)
Compound: phosB = phosphor bronze; N = nickel; 80/20 = 80/20 bronze; P = plain

String No. 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning e E a A d D g G b B e E a a d d
Gauge .046w .080w .036w .060w .026w .050w .017p .040w .016p .030w .010p .020w .016p .016p .011p .011p
Compound N N N N 80/20 N P phosB P phosB P phosB P P P P

 

 

February 2021 D tuning

String No. 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning d D g G c C f F a A d D g g c c
Gauge 0.050w 0.080w 0.036w 0.060w 0.026w 0.050w 0.018w 0.040 0.016p 0.030w 0.010p 0.020w 0.016p 0.016p .011p .011p
Compound phosB N phosB N phosB phosB 80/20 80/20 P 80/20 P 80/20 P P P P

 

 

C3

Santa Cruz Kevin Kastning DKK-12 model / C3 12-string Contraguitar                                                                                                 Top
June 2021

String No. 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning e E a A d D g G b B e E
Gauge 0.035w 0.076w 0.026w 0.050w 0.020w 0.040w 0.017p 0.030w 0.013p 0.026w 0.010p 0.020w

 

 

 


Santa Cruz DKK-12
12-string Extended Baritone gauges
String Nos: treble = 1; bass = 12; phosphor bronze (octave strings in lower-case)

String No. 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning f# F# b B e E a A c# C# f# F#
Gauge 0.035w 0.076w 0.026w 0.050w 0.020w 0.040w 0.017p 0.030w 0.013p 0.026w 0.010p 0.020w

 

 

 

Santa Cruz DKK
6-string Extended Baritone gauges
String Nos: treble = 1; bass = 6

String No. 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning E A D G B E
Gauge 0.085w 0.064w 0.050w 0.040w 0.030w 0.022w
Compound Nickel Nickel Nickel Phos Bronze Phos Bronze Phos Bronze

 

 

DKK F# tuning


Santa Cruz DKK
6-string Extended Baritone gauges
String Nos: treble = 1; bass = 6

String No. 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning F# B E A C# F#
Gauge 0.085w 0.064w 0.050w 0.040w 0.030w 0.022w
Compound Nickel Nickel Nickel Phos Bronze Phos Bronze Phos Bronze

 

 

DKK G tuning

Santa Cruz DKK
6-string Extended Baritone gauges
String Nos: treble = 1; bass = 6

String No. 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning G C F A# D G
Gauge .060w ..050w .040w 0.030w 0.018p 0.014p
Compound Nickel Nickel Nickel Phos Bronze    

 

 

 

Cervantes Rodriguez Concert 6-string classical guitar
6-string Classical
String Nos: treble = 1; bass = 6

String No. 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning E A D G B E
Gauge .054 .036 .030 .036 .029 .026
Compound Silver Silver Silver Flurocarbon Flurocarbon Flurocarbon

 

 

 


Santa Cruz D
Concert 6-string gauges
STRING Nos: treble = 1; bass = 6; phosphor bronze
(JP set 790SR)

String No. 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning E A D G B E
Gauge 0.056w 0.046w 0.036w 0.026w 0.017p 0.013p

 

 

 


Martin D-12-28
Concert 12-string gauges
String Nos: treble = 1; bass = 12; phosphor bronze (octave strings in lower-case)
(JP 1400 L set)

String No. 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning e E a A d D g G B B E E
Gauge 0.027w 0.047w 0.018p 0.039w 0.012p 0.030w 0.010p 0.023w 0.014p 0.014p 0.010p 0.010p

 

Alto 12                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                                                                                             Top

Alto 12-string gauges
String Nos: treble = 1; bass = 12; phosphor bronze (all strings unison)

String No. 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tuning A A D D G G C C E E A A
Gauge 0.035w 0.035w 0.026w 0.026w 0.020w 0.020w 0.014p 0.014p 0.010p 0.010p 0.010p 0.010p