String gauge/tuning Guestion

[Kenneth Freeman]

Tom Pettingill is building a 8 string lap steel for me to give as a Christmas gift to my son.

He is just learning to play slide.
He has a couple of 4-5 string slide guitars that I built and just uses standard strings on them.

He is an accomplished 6 string Strat player.
His style is moderate rock and blues.

What strings/gauge/tuning would you recommend for this style of playing on the lap steel?

Thanks,

[Brad Bechtel]

If it were a six string guitar, I'd recommend open E tuning:
1. E
2. B
3. G#
4. E
5. B
6. E

Use a set of "regular" electric guitar strings (.013 to .056) and he should be ready to go.

With an eight string guitar, he could double one of the E's or add some additional strings for the seventh (D) and sixth (C#).

1. E
2. C#
3. B
4. G#
5. E
6. D
7. B
8. E

[Kenneth Freeman]

Thanks Brad,

It is an eight string.

[Erv Niehaus]

Do a search for John Ely.
He has a string gauge chart that is VERY useful.