14-string tuning charts

Instruments, mechanical issues, copedents, techniques, etc.

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Drew Howard
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14-string tuning charts

Post by Drew Howard »

Over on the U-12 thread someone was looking for tuning charts for Julian Tharpe and Bill Stafford. Here's what I have:

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Julian Tharpe's F tuning
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cheers,
Drew


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<font size=1>Drew Howard - website - Fessenden D-10 8/8, Fessenden SD-12 5/5 (Ext E9), Magnatone S-8, N400's, BOSS RV-3</font>

<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Drew Howard on 22 September 2005 at 12:07 PM.]</p></FONT><font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Drew Howard on 22 September 2005 at 12:08 PM.]</p></FONT>
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David L. Donald
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Post by David L. Donald »

That was likely me.

Yes cool, I am printing them now.
Mucho gracias amigo! Image<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 04 October 2005 at 07:01 AM.]</p></FONT>
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Charlie McDonald
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Post by Charlie McDonald »

Been searching through old posts this morning, looking at Uni charts.
Thanks for posting Bill's.
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Bobby Lee
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Post by Bobby Lee »

I'd feel right at home on Bill Stafford's, except for pedal 7.
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Larry Bell
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Post by Larry Bell »

Me too
Bill chose to put C6 P7 (the 'Ma9 pedal') on a lever. To get the C6 P6 + A to Bb KL combo (F9sus4 on C6), he chose to duplicate the B pedal (the uni equiv of A to Bb on C6).

I chose to put the C6 P6 on a lever and leave P7 as the next to last pedal (the exact pedal # depends on the guitar -- I have guitars with 6, 7, and 8 pedals -- it's always the next to last one). Works better for me -- I've been doing that since 1976 and it's just what I'm used to.

Just proves there's more than one way to skin a universal.

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<small>Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1984 Sho-Bud S/D-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps


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Larry Hicks
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Post by Larry Hicks »

Drew,
You’re very close to Bill Stafford’s tuning . . .
However, the LKL doesn’t raise the #12 open “E” to “F”; and the RKL doesn’t lower the #13 open “B” to “Bb”.

I only know this because I’m lucky enough to own Bill’s original Excel U-14 Superb.
Never dreamed that I’d own a guitar of this caliber. Plays like buttah, stays in tune, RARELY breaks stings, and has tone that makes your mouth water!

Two of the very cool things about this tuning (in E9) are: no open “Ds” to dodge (7ths, when in open-barred position). Meaning, if you leave the chromatic strings alone, it’s tough to hit a wrong note in open position. Yes, you might get a 2-note (string #8) in open position or a 6-note in “A+B”, but those won’t tell on you like accidentally hitting an open 7. To get a high or mid seven just hit the RKR (in open position).

Second: The LKV gives you the 6th chord of the “A+B” pedaling (and the “2 or 9” of the open) without losing control of the volume pedal. Handy as a shirt pocket! It also gives you that very cool 7/6 sound in the middle strings when A/B’d. Lotza chords from here (for instance the very often used 4-chord minor 6th)!

All that having been said, I’m a rank beginner on PSG but I’m having an absolute blast! I think Bill has developed an extremely elegant, very understandable tuning/copedant.

Now, if one of these days I can just PLAY the *#@% thing!
LH
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