tunings and strings

Lap steels, resonators, multi-neck consoles and acoustic steel guitars

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Eric Davidson
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tunings and strings

Post by Eric Davidson »

I just bought a 6 string lap steel and am interested in playing old country such as Don Helms, Jerry Byrd, Kayton Roberts etc. I am wondering what tuning to use for this style and which strings to get.
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Eric Davidson
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Post by Eric Davidson »

And if anyone has a recommendation for an instructional DVD that would be great.
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Andy Sandoval
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Post by Andy Sandoval »

I'd use a C6 tuning as there's more instructional stuff available for C6. You can get your strings right here on the Forum by clickin on the Strings link at the top. Cindy Cashdollar's Western Swing videos are pretty good or contact Roy Thomson here on the forum, he can hook you up with some good tabs for C6. Here's Roy's email link. Click Here
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Andy Volk
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Post by Andy Volk »

Scotty's music sells a nice Don Helms instructional book, Cindy's DVD is great and also check out the Forum's tab section. On a somewhat self-serving note, you may find this useful ...

http://www.volkmedia.com/Volkmedia.com/ ... _Book.html
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Eric Davidson
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Post by Eric Davidson »

Great! thank you both.
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Peter Lindelauf
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Post by Peter Lindelauf »

I'm starting to suspect that falling in love with Cindy Cashdollar is something that happens to every novice lap or pedal steel player. Her instructional dvd has been my favorite so far. Ordering volume 2.
...but you are the music / while the music lasts (TS Eliot)
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Tom Pettingill
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Post by Tom Pettingill »

Andy Volk wrote:... On a somewhat self-serving note, you may find this useful ...

http://www.volkmedia.com/Volkmedia.com/ ... _Book.html
A must have if you ask me Image
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S.M. Johnson
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Why not check here first?

Post by S.M. Johnson »

Eric..........
Why not check the JERRY BYRD guitars page and see what the most outstanding Rickenbacher steel guitar player did? It's difficult to improve on perfection, RIGHT?

jerrybyrd-fanclub.com
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Eric Davidson
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Post by Eric Davidson »

I have heard many of you mention Jerry Byrd. However I am a beginner so is there some instructional material that anyone can suggest (particularly for 6 string lap steel)?
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Martin Nicholes
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Post by Martin Nicholes »

Eric Davidson wrote:And if anyone has a recommendation for an instructional DVD that would be great.
No video, but Greg Cutshaw's site is a favorite of mine for tabs and mp3s on the 6 string lapsteel. It's free.

http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Tab/LapTab.html
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Chris Scruggs
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Post by Chris Scruggs »

The Jerry Byrd Instructional Course should still be available from Scotty's Music.

C6th:

E .015plain
C .018plain
A .022plain
G .024nickelwound
E .030nickelwound
C .036nickelwound

I would also recommend the Dunlop Jerry Byrd Bar. A big and heavy pedal steel bar will slow you down for playing this style.

I hope your steel is a 22.5" scale!
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