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Topic: Tuning triad order differences? |
Greg Gefell
From:
Upstate NY
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Posted 8 Oct 2007 9:08 am |
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I'm just about to buy a used reso and am pondering the tuning. Many people tune to open G, 135135. Coming from a pedal/lap steel background I would rather change the string guages and go with open E, 513513 like strings 10,8,6,5,4,3 of a 10 string E9 pedal guitar.
Is there any compelling reason to tune a 6 string with the 1 on the bottom vs the 5, or is it merely personal taste and the tonal range of the instrument/tuning desired? |
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Ron Randall
From:
Dallas, Texas, USA
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Posted 8 Oct 2007 12:39 pm
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I like the 5th interval on the top string only because I do a lot of single note runs and fills. I just tilt the bar a little forward and take off. I am not a "grasser". I like a heavy gauge top string to get tone and power.
Open G is kinda the default tuning, but there are a lot of ways to skin the cat.
Get a bunch of single strings, bust a few, and try whatever. There are no rules. Have you looked at Brad's page of steel? MAny tunings to try.
Good luck
Ron |
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Rick Abbott
From:
Indiana, USA
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Posted 8 Oct 2007 5:28 pm
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You can avoid busting strings by going to the links at the top o the page and find the articles link to B0B's Pedal Steel Guitar String Gauge Chart. I have used this for years! You can get any tuning possible to have the right tone and feel on the strings. As a matter of fact there is one on my computer desk now with a 16.....yes, 16 string E9/6 non-pedal tuning worked out.
L to H: G# B C# E G# B C# E F# G# B E G# D D# F#
72-66-62-56-46-38-36-34-30-26-24-19-15-12-17-13
THANK YOU B0B!!!!!!!!!!
_________________
RICK ABBOTT
Sho~Bud D-10 Professional #7962
Remington T-8, Sehy #112
1975 Peavey Pacer 1963 Gibson Falcon |
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Greg Gefell
From:
Upstate NY
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Posted 9 Oct 2007 6:37 am
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| Thanks guys - I am aware of the need to change string guages to achieve a desired tuning. My original question was directed at whether there are any advantageous differences in stringing up 135135 vs 513513. |
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Richard Sevigny
From:
Salmon Arm, BC, Canada
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Posted 9 Oct 2007 6:53 am
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The only obvious advantage of going with the standard tuning is that there will be lots of tab available.  Otherwise, I think it's up to the player to decide what he's looking for soundwise.
So many tunings, so little time...
_________________
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If at first the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it.
-Albert Einstein |
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Rick Abbott
From:
Indiana, USA
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Posted 9 Oct 2007 7:08 am
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Having a 3 lower than the root tone lets you reverse slant your way up and down a harmonized scale with ease. Having a 1 on the top is nice for adding a 7th with a slant, having the tones in 135 order sounds more "scale" like when arpeggiated.
_________________
RICK ABBOTT
Sho~Bud D-10 Professional #7962
Remington T-8, Sehy #112
1975 Peavey Pacer 1963 Gibson Falcon |
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Greg Gefell
From:
Upstate NY
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Posted 9 Oct 2007 7:41 am
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| Thanks Rick - that's the kind of insight I was looking for - some practical applications of string order. |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Posted 9 Oct 2007 10:05 am
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| Greg Gefell wrote: |
| Thanks guys - I am aware of the need to change string guages to achieve a desired tuning. My original question was directed at whether there are any advantageous differences in stringing up 135135 vs 513513. |
I think it's mostly what you're used to. I've played mostly with the 3 on top all of my life. I find that even when I sit down at an A6th, I don't use the first string all that much.
Anyone who started out on dobro or open G slide guitar would have a different experience. Habitual use of the high 5 string gives a different set of phrases from the ones that I (over)use. 
My recommendation is to have both available, and use both. Whether that means using a double neck or simply having two lap steels at hand is a matter of personal preference. It never hurts, though, to know two tunings well.
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-𝕓𝕆𝕓- (admin) - Robert P. Lee - Recordings - Breathe - D6th - Video |
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Rick Abbott
From:
Indiana, USA
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Posted 9 Oct 2007 10:53 am
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I did start on dobro, with the 5 on top. I went to a G6 BDGBDE for a while and now have a 10 string version with a 1 on top EGBDEGBDEG simple and I find it to have a nice voicing.
_________________
RICK ABBOTT
Sho~Bud D-10 Professional #7962
Remington T-8, Sehy #112
1975 Peavey Pacer 1963 Gibson Falcon |
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