Low or a bass tuning?

Joe Burke · Post by **Joe Burke** » 21 May 2017 11:45 am

Has anyone experimented with a lower tuning? Like an octave bellow C6? I suppose A6 is getting there.

I like the sound of lower melodies. I bet they could sound great on a lap steel.

Jeff Mead · Post by **Jeff Mead** » 21 May 2017 12:34 pm

This is the tuning that Fender suggested for the bass neck (all triple and quad Stringmasters have wider nut slots and tuner holes on the front neck to accommodate a bass tuning).

This is the tuning suggested by Fender. I think if I was going to use it, I'd tune the low string to E though.

E wound 032Â
C# wound 038Â
A wound 044Â
F# wound 048Â
E wound 055Â
C# wound 071Â
A wound 087Â
F wound 110

Although the nut and tuners were modified, the bridge plates weren't and I've seen some Bridgewater's the string holes had been enlarged for heavier strings.

Joe Burke · Post by **Joe Burke** » 21 May 2017 1:39 pm

Thanks Jeff. Is the low sting supposed to be an F#?
I think I'll give is a try.

Larry Lenhart · Post by **Larry Lenhart** » 21 May 2017 1:49 pm

Check out Buddy Merrill of LW fame on youtube playing South
and using the tuning referred to above:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcipRLz ... yY&index=2

Jeff Mead · Post by **Jeff Mead** » 21 May 2017 2:05 pm

Joe Burke wrote:Thanks Jeff. Is the low sting supposed to be an F#?
I think I'll give is a try.

No, it's not a typo. Fender called it A6 Major & Minor tuning and the low string is an F.

Of course, there's no problem if you'd rather have straight A6. That low string could easily be tuned to E, F or F#. See what works best for you.

Steven Pearce · Post by **Steven Pearce** » 21 May 2017 2:57 pm

The main tuning I use is D, on my six string lap, a 22.5
After a LONG time finding the right gauges my low D is a 62.
That's a big string for the tuners, I make the nuts so that's ok.
But lower = bigger. Woah!
From high to low...
18p 22p 28 38 48 62.

Joe Burke · Post by **Joe Burke** » 21 May 2017 6:46 pm

A6 major and minor. Makes sense. Could be fun!

Joe Burke · Post by **Joe Burke** » 21 May 2017 6:50 pm

Thanks Larry - I've seen that clip before, but had forgotten about the the 4th neck solo. Man he can play!

James Kerr · Post by **James Kerr** » 22 May 2017 11:13 am

Music for the lower registers, how about this, built special just for that very thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsPQxc59ric

Or this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL_gjP_mjGM

James.

Daniel McKee · Post by **Daniel McKee** » 23 May 2017 1:06 pm

James, I really like your youtube videos. "Grapes of Wrath" has a very dystopian feel to it. Very nice!!! Your stuff would be great in movie soundtracks

James Kerr · Post by **James Kerr** » 23 May 2017 2:15 pm

Daniel McKee wrote:James, I really like your youtube videos. "Grapes of Wrath" has a very dystopian feel to it. Very nice!!! Your stuff would be great in movie soundtracks

Thank you Daniel, I'm just a backroom player who enjoys playing but as of late my channel has been a bit quiet. My eldest Son was struck down by a series of Strokes in September of last year and we are left with less than half a man. Such things knock the heart out of you and that has affected my output because, at least in my case, music comes from the heart. I have bought a new Guitar to try and encourage myself again (pictured) so hopefully I will get going again.

James.

Harry McIlwain · Post by **Harry McIlwain** » 23 May 2017 8:28 pm

Not trying to Hi-Jack this thread, but I wanted to express to James my sympathy to him for the tragedy
that hit his son. James is so very talented, humble, and helpful to others. Harry