The above picture shows a TRES, also known as the Cuban tres. It is a guitar shaped instrument. What is so nice about it? Is easy to play than any other stringed instrument. Why is easy to play? it only has 3 strings. In Spanish tres means 3. The tres actually has 6 strings total but they arranged in a set of 2. 3 notes can be played at once as easy as 1, 2, 3 :)
So where do I get one? who has one? Who sells one? How much for one. Humm???? no many people has one. You can get one online for about $300 or You can take any guitar. Yes you can use a cheap acoustic guitar to experiment. Ok, so now what do I do to make a regular guitar into a tres? Do I take my guitar and ask a guitar repair man to make me a tres? You can but you must provide the instructions on how to do it. Most repairman do not know what to do as they never hear of the tres.
So here I am providing all the instructions with pictures you will need to make one. Now if you already play guitar this will be an added instrument to your collection. If you never played guitar, you can start playing immediately and have fun.
Ok Here we go. You will need.
1) A cheap guitar to experiment.
2) Strings:
a) take the 1st or E string(high)(size 10) from the regular acoustic guitar.
b) Take the G string(Wound) from the regular acoustic guitar. These 2 will be your first set. They will be tune both in E. Use a tuner when you are ready to tune up your tres.
c) Take the B string or 2nd string from the regular guitar(size 12 or 13). Take another 2nd or B string (size 12 or 13) from the regular guitar. These 2 strings will be tuned in C unison. This is your second set paired.
d) Take the 1st string or E string (high)(size 10) from the regular acoustic guitar.
e) Take the G string(Wound) from the regular acoustic guitar. These 2 will be your third set. They will be tuned both in G. Again, Use a tuner when you are ready to tune up your tres.
3) Now that you have all your strings. We will need to shave or to make room for your strings on the bridge of your guitar neck. Some of the same string molding that are already in the guitar bridge can be used. Take a look at my picture.
Notice that using the guitar terminology: 1) The E strings are set in the outer most and G strings are set in the inner. The B strings are in the center. 2) When you cut the bone to fit in the strings, Notice how the bone is cut to fit in them paired. yes like a 12 string guitar.
Now the other end. You will need the bold end rings from old guitar strings to keep the strings together. Look at the picture.
Look for my next blog 6 Tuning the tres with your iphone.
