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Post new topic Why use Bb6 for a universal tuning?
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Author Topic:  Why use Bb6 for a universal tuning?
Ryan Barwin


From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Post  Posted 9 Feb 2010 4:46 pm    
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When the universal tuning was first created, why was Bb6 used as the open tuning? Why not A6, B6 or C6? What's the advantage to using Bb6 rather than another more common 6th tuning?
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Jim Hollingsworth

 

From:
Way out West
Post  Posted 9 Feb 2010 5:49 pm     Bb6
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I can't answer for Reece and the guys who came up with the tuning, but I know they are all jazzers and that jazz horn players play in "flat" keys like Bb, Eb, F, etc.
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Pete Burak

 

From:
Portland, OR USA
Post  Posted 9 Feb 2010 6:08 pm    
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One thing I like about a Bb6 S12U is that you have E and A on the first fret on E9th.
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Scott Howard


From:
Georgetown, TN, USA
Post  Posted 9 Feb 2010 6:32 pm    
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What would be a good example of a basic Bb6th universal tuning and how does it compare to E9/B6 as far as advantages and disadvatages.
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Ron Randall

 

From:
Dallas, Texas, USA
Post  Posted 9 Feb 2010 8:23 pm    
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Bb6 tuning.

Gives me a bigger diam root string on the 5th string. I also have a 6th interval on string 2, and a 2nd interval on string 1.
My smallest string is a .012 tuned to a G and raised to G#.

I find that the string set has a strong tone because the gauges are a bit bigger. Same could be said for A6.

See LINKS above then copedents.
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Paddy Long


From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
Post  Posted 11 Feb 2010 12:13 pm    
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http://b0b.com/tunings/MauriceAnderson.html#Bb6th
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Ulric Utsi-Ã…hlin

 

From:
Sweden
Post  Posted 12 Feb 2010 12:42 am     Alternative explanation...
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Sustain & tone quality tend to deteriorate around
the strongest harmonic points,"flageolette areas",
and a Country Steeler might prefer to have "odd"
key signatures at Fret XII etc.McUtsi
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David Mason


From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
Post  Posted 12 Feb 2010 3:56 am    
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Lesser-known fact - strings vibrate least at the "harmonic" points, which is one reason I find it incomprehensible that 22-fret six-strings are held to be better "because the pickup's at the harmonic, man..."
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