E Lock for MSA

[Daniel Showalter]

Thanks for the input.. I decided short term I will simply use pedal 8 and tune the C to D rather that C# and move the pulls from strings 10 and 9 to 9 and 8 . Then just depress both pedal 7 and 8 to get the G and B notes . This will give me a seven string tuning of G B D E G B D and then I just bought a 7 band EQ pedal that I can use to emulate the dobro sound by raising the lowest band and cutting the next band and alternate so all the Odd bands are boosted and the evens cut and this approximates the resophonic sound. punch in when I want "Dobro" and punch out for steel..
we do one song from our 3rd CD where I play both on the same cut and now I will be able to duplicate the track live. I dont usre the 8th pedal for our shows any way as there are only 2-3 tunes requiring C6. I may eventually go for the latch and use strings 8,7,6 but the 6th tone in there doesn't bother me muc.h

[Ken Metcalf]

One advantage with an E lock (Which I do not have) is that you can treat the 2nd string differently.

[Daniel Morris]

I still use my 1979 MSA U12.
It came set up with the E lowers on the RKL.
Personally, while there may a time or two when that lock could come in handy, I think this type of device defeats the purpose of having a Universal tuning, and effectively turns one neck back into two.
It's still a struggle for me at times, but I agree with folks like Joe Wright: it's one big tuning.

Ken: how do you mean "treat the 2d string differently?" On my newly acquired Kline U12, I had Joe Kline add an additional lower to the 4th and 8th string Es - drops my 2d string to a C#. That allows my to get the equivalent pitches of a G and a D on a C6 neck.
Something like that?
At any rate, I prefer not to be "locked" into thinking strictly of one tuning or the other. (I do understand why someone might like a lock, though).

[Ken Metcalf]

Daniel
Yes that is what I meant and I don't use the C# on 2nd string much. I should say I am not used to having it and use the D more.
Guess I could have have a 1/2 stop but don't.
I have the C# on my E lower but have the hex nut backed off.

[Daniel Morris]

Ah, I see.
My RKR (factory set)lowers my 2d string a half or whole step. I wonder if the time will ever come that one big, standard tuning becomes the norm.
Probably not - each tuning or set up has its own pros and cons.

[Mike DiAlesandro]

Here is a thread from some years back that discussed this: http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... ht=destaco

[Daniel Showalter]

Thanks for the link Mike. Interesting thread. I would add a 6th string to the one suggested by Tony Glassman and that would be to drop the 2nd string D# to a C# so that the 1st string D on the newer C6 copedent would be there.