New to lap steel

Liam Rogers · Post by **Liam Rogers** » 28 Feb 2012 3:59 pm

Well, I might at some point in the near future be delving into the world of electric lap steel (8 string).

I have been playing dobro for going on 7 years so I am looking forward to something different.

If it isn't for me, I will still pursue electric steel guitar, but of the six string open chord variety.

Some of you will know me from Resonation or elsewhere, others won't so, I guess this my introduction to you all!

Cheers

Wayne D. Clark · Post by **Wayne D. Clark** » 29 Feb 2012 4:12 pm

Liam, go with the 8 string, in the future it will allow you to expand your ability, and when you need it, it will be there for you. I started on a 6 string, back when Lassie was a pup. But when I got my 8 strig it just oppened up possibilitiey, not enjoyed before.

Melbert 8
Peavey 110
Goodrich pedal

Liam Rogers · Post by **Liam Rogers** » 1 Mar 2012 3:02 am

Well, there is a possibility I might be inheriting a few lap steels, including a fairly nice 8 string.

I wonder, what variety of C6 would be easiest for a G tuning dobroist to adapt to?

Liam Rogers · Post by **Liam Rogers** » 30 Apr 2012 3:20 pm

Also, any recommendations on instructional material?

Wayne D. Clark · Post by **Wayne D. Clark** » 30 Apr 2012 4:14 pm

I would suggest that you start a new topic rquesting help or suggestions about what tuning to use. like " 8 string Lap Steel C6th or E7th or E9th Tuning" something like that. You will get a response. Mike Neer in New York will help you. Also Steve Ahola from Concord California. Check some of the topics under [STEEL'S WITH OUT PEDAL's] You will find their comments there and a way to make contact with them.

I play an 8 string and use a modified 'E' Tuning. Bottom to Top [ E G# B C# E G# B E ]. Here are some others E7th [ E G# B D E G# B E ] OR C6th [G A C E G A C E ] E9th [ E G# B D F# G# B E ]

Chris Walke · Post by **Chris Walke** » 1 May 2012 5:49 am

Liam Rogers wrote: I wonder, what variety of C6 would be easiest for a G tuning dobroist to adapt to?

Low to high - ACEGaceg. Keeps the major triad portions same intervals as trad. dobro G tuning.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 1 May 2012 5:58 am

A6 would be a good tuning to get started with. The lower range of the tuning might be a little more comfortable for you to reconcile and also the fact that you are only 1 whole step above G.

E
C#
A
F#
E
C#
A
F#

The good thing about this and the C6 tuning Chris spelled out is that they are symmetrical--2 pairs of 4 strings tuned the same.

Liam Rogers · Post by **Liam Rogers** » 1 May 2012 2:35 pm

Thanks for the help.

It would be a shame though if I ended up approaching it too much in a dobro manner. That's not what I am aiming for really.

I will certainly not dismiss any options though.

Chris Walke · Post by **Chris Walke** » 2 May 2012 7:41 am

Liam Rogers wrote:Thanks for the help.

It would be a shame though if I ended up approaching it too much in a dobro manner. That's not what I am aiming for really.

I will certainly not dismiss any options though.

If you use a 6th tuning, you will not be approaching it like you approach dobro. Entirely different flavor, even if most of the string intervals are the same. Having familiar intervals will help you out of the gate, but that 6th changes everything.