New Non Peddler

David Mullis · Post by **David Mullis** » 24 Jan 2002 8:22 am

Well, it looks like I may be getting ready to delve in to the realm of no pedals. I'm looking into a trade for a Dobro and was wondering if you guys had any tips on how to approach the tuning or if you could recomend any instructional material? I've been playing E9 for about 6 years now.

Thanks
David

Ron Randall · Post by **Ron Randall** » 24 Jan 2002 10:40 am

Hi
I am new also.
I have been playing guitars and bass for decades. Got bored a bought a round neck Dobro (a Gibson Dobro). Started with standard Dobro tuning of GBDGBD. Raised the strings with a nut extension. Listened to tons of Jerry Douglas, Mike Auldrige.
Bought a video on beginner dobro which was helpful. I had never used finger picks or a thumbpick before.

Anyway, I can add some flavor to country, ballads, blues.

Bought a squareneck Dobro (pre Gibson) and tried a C6 tuning. Man, I was hooked. I could do lots of old country. Used a Steven's bar.

This led me to get a Fender Stringmaster 8.
Now I am playing it in C6 and still learning.
I have learned to handle a 3/4 round bar. Difficult transition for me.

The squareneck Dobro is tuned standard GBDGBD and the round neck Dobro is set up spanish style for flat picking and bottleneck slide.

Tunings?

Depends on what you want to play. Bluegrass is almost always GBDGBD or 2 steps higher for A tuning.

Bob Brozman is the ace on National acoustic lap steel. Jerry Douglas is the ace country, bluegrass, modern bluegrass. He plays a Dobro brand, squareneck.

I can tell you about strings, bars, etc.
I can lend you a beginner video.

Ron

David Mullis · Post by **David Mullis** » 29 Jan 2002 7:06 pm

Thanks Ron, I'll probably drop you an email when the Dobro arrives.

Take Care
David

Ziggie · Post by **Ziggie** » 29 Jan 2002 8:20 pm

Hi David,
I've had pedal steels for a few years and got a dobro just a few years back. I never enjoyed G tunning much so I was always looking for something different. Well, about 4 months ago I came up with E13. It's such a cool tunning. Especailly if you already play E9 pedal steel. I found I could get some very nice straight country out of it as well as some very nice swing sounds. It coinsides well with the E9 tunning also. Have a great day and good luck, Ziggie

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 29 Jan 2002 8:30 pm

That's right Ziggie, that E13 tuning is really versatile. If the top string are like E6 and the bottom strings like E9, you got the best of both worlds.
I know this post is about non-pedals. But after learning this E13 tuning, is very easy to put 4 pedals on it, and you'd be surprised.!....al

Ziggie · Post by **Ziggie** » 30 Jan 2002 8:10 am

Hi Al! Great to hear from you again! What are you doing with your tunning? I'm very interested in your pedal setup for E13. I'm going low to high. DEG#BC#E I have thought of using this tunning with pedals and now you really have me thinking. I've been thinking about getting an 8 string lap but I'm always open to sugestions. I would love to get a chance to talk to you further about this. Thanks and have a great day! Ziggie

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 30 Jan 2002 8:57 am

If you are going to be using one of the "fancy" tunings you really should have an 8 string guitar. IMHO.

Erv