High B string in E6 tuning - Anyone try it?

George Rothenberger · Post by **George Rothenberger** » 17 Jun 2014 9:06 am

I have a desire to put a high B above the G# on the top string of an 8-string lap in E6 (E13) tuning. It will tend to break. Has anyone tried successfully to add a B on top and achieve a triad of E-G#-B on the top 3 strings? .009 or .008" gauge? Impossible?.

Jack Aldrich · Post by **Jack Aldrich** » 17 Jun 2014 9:17 am

I have the equivalent on my C6 neck - a high G - as does Henry Allen and Bobby Ingano. The B11 tuning has an equivalent E on the top - A C# E. I really like it. Alan Akaka keeps one of his steels in a high G tuning for my lessons with him. Musically, this is I-III-V. It's all relative, ya know.

Jerome Hawkes · Post by **Jerome Hawkes** » 17 Jun 2014 9:31 am

sure, its *possible*, assuming you dont have a long scale. that is a lot of stress on a string tuning to B
i would think this would be a futile experiment, (i've found these ideas sound better on paper than in actual use - there is a reason) but no harm to try.
if you want that 1-3-5 stack on the top you could always go C6/C13 (hi-G) or A6/13 - same interval stack you are just in a new home key.

E13 is pitched pretty high already

George Rothenberger · Post by **George Rothenberger** » 17 Jun 2014 9:33 am

Thanks, Alan. I know in 8-sting C6 i have G on top; ACEGACEG and in E6 lo-to-hi; B C# E G# B C# E G#. Now imagine if I have a 9-string, and have the same low-to-High
B C# E G# B C# E G#, but with B on top. Crank a .009 up to the B. Where safety goggles first? Add a capo-like nut extender or post to get B above G# cranked up to B? Anybody do it successfully??.

Jerome Hawkes · Post by **Jerome Hawkes** » 17 Jun 2014 9:39 am

i would imagine even if you got the string to B without breaking - its gonna sound like c#@p.

George Rothenberger · Post by **George Rothenberger** » 17 Jun 2014 9:48 am

Yep, seems it worked on paper but you bust strings trying to get there. Too long a string length (24"). Thanks Jerome... And in my earlier reply I meant 'Jack' not Alan.
so I may need to go to a lower home key to complete the triad on top as suggested. I heard the strain over the phone of my new 9-string being setting up for me, he says he busted multiple strings trying to get the top one to B. I was just thinking... that was my first mistake.
Or buy me a dual neck as well and tell my wife it followed me home.

Dennis Detweiler · Post by **Dennis Detweiler** » 17 Jun 2014 10:38 am

My recent decision after experimenting with several tunings on 8 string and restringing several times $:\$ is E6 (low to high): A B C# E G# B C# E
I have a wrist lever lowering #5 (E) to Eb which gives me a B11th with the b7 on bottom and 6th in the middle. And, there is no 5th tone in this B11th. So, maybe that makes it something other than B11th?
I feel that the E6 cuts through the mix a little more.

Dom Franco · Post by **Dom Franco** » 17 Jun 2014 12:10 pm

I don't see the need to have such a high pitch available "open" Nearly any tuning will give you that note (in a triad) using the bar.

Perhaps you need a high open string to do Dobro licks (hammer-ons and pull-offs)in a higher key?

Dom