33 thoughts on “Limited Edition Warren Ellis Signature Tenor – CHERRY”

1. These are great GREAT pics of Warren…and his Dad! The tenor geetar is so unique w/ it’s Mustang body. I need to find the history on it, but if I learn too much, I’ll convince myself that I NEED one. I must be careful…

2. what is the tuning [ DGBE?] scale and width at nut? at the 12th fret?

3. Hi, looks great, what would be the ideal stringing for a Warren Ellis tenor guitar, thanks for your great web site, updates are great, let me know if there is any other color for the Airline Mandola.

   Thanks again, Walt

4. I want one of these guitars like you cannot believe! But, I am left handed. Any chance of a small run of lefties? Cherry lefties would be grand.
   Sebastian

5. Hi, the guitar looks nice, but I’d like to know:
   – what are the technical specs
   – is there a youtube vid showing the sounds on the guitar
   – what is the hardshell looking like ? and is it molded for that specific guitar, or is it it a standard one ? Whats’s its price ?

   Thanks, Fred

6. Hi,
   I can answer a few of the questions posted here, having got one of the first Vintage Cream guitars in the UK, but also have one concerning the string gauges.
   The guitar has a 23″ scale. Nut 1 5/16″. 12th fret 1 13/16″.
   Traditionally tuned CGDA with gauges 42,30,17,13.

   The guitar is tuned in 5ths rather than 4ths, which means the difference between the C and A strings is just short of 2 octaves. Whereas on a standard guitar the difference between the A and B strings is just over 1 octave.

   I had a set of D’Addario EXL 140 in the draw and used the middle 4 gauges which fit the bill. I found it very easy to tune the bottom C an octave high without the tension feeling over high. However, by the time you get to the D string tensions are really getting over the top.

   I would recommend tuning from the Top A and working down. I don’t know if I’ve over stretched the strings, because dropping down an octave from where I started everything feels a bit slack. I think I need to nip into town and buy a fresh set.

   If any one else has experimented with different guages I’d be greatful of some feedback.

   Love the guitar by the way!

   Oh and there is a youtube vid of Warren introducing the guitar.

   All the best,
   Stef

7. STRING GAUGES.

   After doing some calculations on string gauges and tensions, I think there is a problem with the 42,30,17,13 gauges quoted on the web-site.

   If starting by tuning the C string above a standard A string then the following string tensions are given;

   C (130.8 Hz) = 30.2 lbs
   G (196 Hz) = 36.3 lbs
   D (293.7 Hz) = 30.2 lbs
   A (440 Hz) = 36.7 lbs

   When compared to the middle 4 strings of a telecaster (using the same gauges);

   A (110 Hz) = 26.3 lbs
   D (146.8 Hz) = 25 lbs
   G (196 Hz) = 16.6 lbs
   B (246.9 Hz) = 15.4 lbs

   If using a set of EXL 110s on a Telecaster you would have tensions of;

   A (110 Hz) = 19.5 lbs
   D (146.8 Hz) = 18.4 lbs
   G (196 Hz) = 16.6 lbs
   B (246.9 Hz) = 15.4 lbs

   The tensions for the plain D and A strings are obviously way too high and although the tension in the C string is still high it doesn’t feel too bad.
   The problem is tuning an octave lower will 1/4 the string tension.

   I’d really appreciate it if some-one was to check my calcs incase I’ve made some basic error, but they seem to correspond with the tensions for a 25 1/2″ scale guitar quoted on the back of the string packet.

   Stef

8. STRING GAUGE UPDATE.

   D’Addario produce a set of Acoustic Tenor Strings which go 32,22,14,10 with the following tensions;

   C (0.032) = 23.5 lbs
   G (0.022) = 20.5 lbs
   D (0.014) = 20.2 lbs
   A (0.010) = 19.1 lbs

   I don’t know the scale length that the above are calculated for, so I’ve done some calcs and think the following gauges seem ok;

   C (0.038) = 24.8 lbs
   G (0.024) = 22.8 lbs
   D (0.014) = 20.5 lbs
   A (0.009) = 19.0 lbs

   Hope this helps. I should have bought a micrometer and measured the strings that were supplied! I think it would have been much easier!

   The Cherry Red Tenor looks the business and colour coding for different tunings would be pretty cool! But with a new baby on the way I don’t think that’s going to get past the accounts dept!!

   Stef

9. Hey there I put 38. 26. 17. 13 on the tenor
   tuned G.D.A.E like a violin,but you can out whatever suits you on it
   I think that’s where the real potential of the guitar lies,
   you can cater it to your needs
   hope that helps
   Warren Ellis

10. Yeah my Dad looks great
    Greatest guitar on the market,
    forget being careful man,

11. What about a ukulele tuning? GCEA?

12. I have never played a guitar before but for some reason I have this urge to own this. Great looking guitar! Perhaps because I have a violin background, that’s why I’m interested. Do you think someone who has never played guitar would be able to learn on this?

13. Kate, I’m a violinist (and violist), and I picked up the tenor guitar without ever having played any guitar before. The tenor was actually surprisingly easy to learn — it’s tuned just like my viola, so it made sense to me. I found a good chord book and just worked at it, along with translating some of my viola etudes into guitar fingering exercises. Personally, I find the right hand (strum/pick) business a lot harder than the left hand stuff.

    You should try it! I’ve been playing an acoustic tenor (occasionally amplified with a sound hole pickup) and a longer-scale metal tenor resonator, but I’ve ordered the Eastwood electric, and I’m really looking forward to getting to play it. Whee! More interesting sounds to make!

14. Got mine yesterday. A solid little machine, seems very well built. I switched the strings out to meet Warren’s recommendations above, raised the action a hair, and it was good to go in GDAE. Easy to play, the wider fretboard keeps me from damping strings accidentally. Frets are well finished, pickup seems pretty hot so far. Looking forward to getting familiar with it. Didn’t put it down for hours. Great stuff.

15. I too am a violinist and it really is quite simple to learn. I switched my strings to GDAE tuning as soon as I got it out the box! The original 42 gauge a bit too heavy on the G string so will follow Warren’s advice and change to 38.

    Lovely instrument with great tone and sounds great through my FX!

16. I got mine today. It’s a beauty, that is for sure. The hard case is also beautiful and plush. I tuned mine to DGBE. I had to adjust the action significantly for there was buzzing on the 1st and 4th strings. Seems to be playing very well now.

    Would it be best to change the strings that came with it for the tuning I use?

17. Have had my Warren Ellis signature for about 2 weeks. I’ve got it tuned up like Warrens sounds great love the tone, the feel,inspiring straight out of the box. Going to try to get the cherry soon. Thank you Warren and Eastwood.

18. I’m also curious about this!

19. Beautiful guitar!

    Has anyone tried to duplicate the sound Warren is getting with his tenor guitar, in the two Jools Holland clips for “Worm Tamer” and “Heathen Child?” Was just curious on what type of pedal/s people have tried. From the videos, I can only make out the DOD EQ and Blue Box.

    Fantastic sounds!

20. I have a simple digitech fuzz box and heavy compressor sounds close

21. Ooof- I think my Mandobird may have to collect a little dust for awhile.

22. Mine arrived yesterday. I’ve got it tuned like a baritone ukulele – DGBE – and with the baritone tuning you just use the exact same shapes as a soprano. If you want to play the exact same chords as a soprano put a capo on the 5th fret. It works, no problem with the string tension at all (It comes tuned CGDA – I tuned the C up to a D and the D and A down to a B and E), and it sounds AMAZING.

23. When I played a tenor acoustic, the neck was about 2/3 as wide as a normal neck. It was a kick and let me use by big, fat sausage fingers to cover more than one string at a time. Just a suggestion, if you ever do a revision.

24. Hi!
    What string gauges would be recomended for DGBE tuning?

25. I would also like to know recommended string gauges for DGBE tuning.

26. I would also like to know what string gauges are suggested for DGBE tuning?

27. What’s up mates, good article and good arguments commented at this place, I amm genuinely enjoying byy these.

28. I very much like your style of the warren Ellis Signature 4 string. I have constructed a 4 string Maxie Custom guitar walking cane . my web site is maxiewoodcrafts.com . It’s playable . It looks like a electric guitar with one pick up / volume/tone controls . I need the correct string type and gauge for my guitar walking cane . The same that you use on your warren ellis signature 4 string guitar. Would also like to know what string type and gauges are suggested for DGBE tuning?PLEASE Larry E Maxie

29. I very much like your style of the warren Ellis Signature 4 string. I have constructed a 4 string Maxie Custom guitar walking cane . my web site is maxiewoodcrafts.com . It’s playable . It looks like a electric guitar with one pick up / volume/tone controls . I need the correct string type and gauge for my guitar walking cane . The same that you use on your warren ellis signature 4 string guitar. Would also like to know what string type and gauges are suggested for DGBE tuning?PLEASE Larry E Maxie My e mail address is maxzsnfl@yahoo.com

30. 2 questions:
    Anyone having issues with string buzz? I am using D’addario Med. Jazz strings (.36-.26.-17.-13) tuned G-D-A-E. Initially, I got a lot of buzz on my 2nd (A) string; and a little on 1st (E) string. I have raised the saddles quite a bit, but still get some buzz on open A. Any suggestions? I will likely take by my local guitar shop when I get a chance.

    Also, does anyone know Warren’s current Amp(s) and effects chain?

    Thanks,
    Kristian

31. Can you use normal electric guitar strings on this?

32. yes, these use standard electric guitar strings.

33. I’ve found a very balanced tension in tuning it DADF# (open D) while using the first four strings from a “9” set.