10 string lap steel

Ernie Pollock · Post by **Ernie Pollock** » 18 Nov 2001 2:46 pm

I have this homemade 10 string lap steel that I tune to C6th, most of the time I keep it just like the C6th on my pedal steel, you know, D,E,C,A,G,E,C,A,F,C but here lately for certain songs in the key of E, I have been tuning the low F note to an E, so I can do the 'boogie' type things on open strings, Folsom Prison Blues & stuff like that. Anyone else using a 10 string lap tuning? If so, is yours different and if you know why, please tell us!! I love messing around with lap models. When I use an 8 string, I like to tune just like the 10 down to the low A, and instead tune it to a 'G' note, great for chording.

Ernie http://www.hereintown.net/~shobud75

Don McClellan · Post by **Don McClellan** » 18 Nov 2001 4:46 pm

I'm thinking of making a 10 string lap steel for myself and the tuning I plan to use is this (from high to low) D, B, E, C, A, G, E, C#, C, A. At least this is the plan at this point.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 18 Nov 2001 10:32 pm

Don, I think the first 8 strings of your tuning are the same as what's on Bobby Black's Stringmaster.

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<small><img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b.gif" width="64" height="64">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (E7, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (F Diatonic)
Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6)

Larry Phleger · Post by **Larry Phleger** » 19 Nov 2001 10:50 am

I used to use an E6 with the top 2 strings tuned to the chromatics I use on my E9 pedal steel. It worked really well. It looked like this from 1 to 10:

F# D# G# E B C# G# E B C#

Claude Brownell · Post by **Claude Brownell** » 27 Nov 2001 5:01 pm

The first lap steels were developed by the late Eddie Alkire in Easton, Pa He called it an Eharp, did not use the term steel guitar be cause of the tuning. I play the Eharp, there are over 32 chords at each fret,this is three strings or more, mostly more. All inversions are there with the correct melody notes on top. What ever chord a piano can get you can also. If you read there still is music available even 20 years after his death. I am puting the tuning here from the thin string to the bass. Also I do have my own CD and tapes of the Eharp. Good Luck here you are E-C#-B-A-G#-G-F#-F-E-C# again that is from high to low. Let me hear from you. Longneck Eharp Claude Brownell

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 27 Nov 2001 5:12 pm

Let me add that Claude is a mighty fine steel player. He plays with a looseness and swing that I haven't heard in other players who use the EHarp tuning. Even Eddie Alkire sounded kind of stiff to me in the recordings I've heard - not so Claude.

Blake Hawkins · Post by **Blake Hawkins** » 28 Nov 2001 7:50 am

Hi Claude, Glad to see you on the Forum.
What Andy said is true! You are a mighty fine musician and a great showman.
Your programs are full of magnificant sounds and entertaining humor.
Always enjoyable.
Blake

Ernie Pollock · Post by **Ernie Pollock** » 28 Nov 2001 2:04 pm

I mentioned this before, but I will do it again, Claude stopped by to see me at my shop and we played for several hours, everything you hear about that mans musicianship is for real - Claude, your the best in my book.

Ernie Pollock