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Topic: Converting from E9 to D9 |
Greg Milton
From:
Benalla, Australia
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Posted 2 Jun 2020 3:22 am |
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Hello Forumites,
Just wondering if those who have adopted or experimented with a D9 tuning on their E9 neck and changed to larger string gauges whether you had to mess around much with bell crank and changer holes?
I'm wondering whether I could assume a general rule that moving the pull rod down one bell crank hole, towards the cross shaft, would accommodate the larger gauge strings? |
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Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
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Posted 2 Jun 2020 5:54 am Re: Converting from E9 to D9
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| Greg Milton wrote: |
| with a D9 tuning on their E9 neck and changed to larger string gauges whether you had to mess around much with bell crank and changer holes? |
I think none of that would be necessary and you can just turn the tuning nuts. The only exception might be string 6 if you changed from a plain G# string to a wound F# string. |
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Greg Milton
From:
Benalla, Australia
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Posted 2 Jun 2020 2:39 pm
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Thanks for your reply, Earnest.
It seems to be necessary on my Williams, because it's put out most of my throws and affected my tuning stability. I did go .002 or .003 heavier on some strings to accommodate some new changes. My 6th string stayed plain, so that's not an issue.
Just wanted to check whether the principle of lowering the rod one bell crank hole (towards the shaft) is the right principle. |
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Steven Hicken Jr.
From:
Leeds, United Kingdom
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Posted 3 Jun 2020 12:40 am
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The general rule is to add 0.02 onto the string gauges. I've never tried it but I'm sure I've seen D9 users such as Eddy Dunlap say this here on the forum. I suppose scale length could have something to do with this too.
There are some strings for sale through the forum for a D9 set.
As I say, I've never tried this so don't shoot me if it doesn't work. https://www.steelguitarshopper.com/d9th-ghs-nickel-wound-strings/
This doesn't mention much about adjustments but does say you'll need longer pedal travel on the 6th string as your changing from plain to wound.
_________________
25 year old wannabe.
2015 Show Pro
2020 Hudson Hudsonator (Pedabro)
202X *Insert new guitar here*
https://www.stevenhickenjr.com/ |
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Greg Milton
From:
Benalla, Australia
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Posted 3 Jun 2020 12:57 am
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Thanks Steven. I've already got the D9 strings through Tom Bradshaw, and went .002 or in a couple of cases .003 thicker. I've also stayed with the plain string for my 6th string.
My problem is that the new strings have resulted in seemingly overtuning or undertuning problems (see Jon Light's sticky post above) - on some strings it seems like overtuning and others it seems like undertuning, so I'm struggling to work out what is going on! I'm hoping for someone to chime in re: a general rule of thumb in relation to thicker strings and how to think in terms of bell crank and changer holes.
Or else just re-string as E9 and forget the whole thing! |
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Darrell Criswell
From:
Maryland, USA
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Posted 3 Jun 2020 5:36 am
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| What are the advantages of converting to a D9 other than it may fit better with a universal tuning? |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Posted 3 Jun 2020 7:11 am
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| Darrell Criswell wrote: |
| What are the advantages of converting to a D9 other than it may fit better with a universal tuning? |
I prefer the warmer tone of D9th.
_________________
-𝕓𝕆𝕓- (admin) - Robert P. Lee - Recordings - Breathe - D6th - Video |
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Stu Schulman
From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
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Posted 3 Jun 2020 9:52 am
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A few months ago I bought a 9th set of strings from b0b on the forum,Soon I will put them on one of my guitars.
_________________
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952. |
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Andrew Frost
From:
Toronto, Ontario
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Posted 3 Jun 2020 11:00 pm
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There was a thread a few years ago on this topic and I recall an experienced player describing pretty unfavourable results with detuning a wholestep or so on a gig. I can't find the thread but jt was a good read. The details escape me as to why the results were so terrible but he did say it 'absolutely sucked'. I think reading that a few years back dissuaded any interest I had in a D9 copedant.
But, I think it could sound fantastic, given the right adjustment of variables and time to adjust to it.
Interested to hear how it pans out for you once you iron the kinks out.
And if anyone recalls that thread it may be a good resource. |
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Greg Milton
From:
Benalla, Australia
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Posted 4 Jun 2020 12:29 am
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Although I haven't got all pedals and knee levers working properly yet I am loving the sound of D9. It really does sound thicker and more mellow (if that's your cup of tea), and Hughey land seems louder and more pleasing too. I think that the tonal qualities will allow it to fit in with a steel/acoustic guitar duo much better, which is the format I'm increasingly enjoying.
My original idea to try D9 was to try and get a whole tone raise and lower on the 3rd string (i.e. 5 notes), similar to my 6th string, but that hasn't worked out, but I am thinking I'll stick with D9 anyway, at least for a while and see how it goes.
Andrew - my understanding is that if you just de-tune E9 steel gauges a whole step then it sounds crap - I didn't even bother to try it
Stu - when you give it a whirl let us all know what you think! |
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Abe Levy
From:
California, USA
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Posted 7 Jun 2020 2:50 pm
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On long scale fender guitars it works quite well to just detune a whole step. My 58 1000 and my 59 400 both perform and sound great with regular E9 strings.
_________________
Mostly Pre-1970 guitars. |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Greg Milton
From:
Benalla, Australia
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Posted 7 Jun 2020 11:10 pm
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| Love that album. That was another reason to give D9 a go |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Dennis Montgomery
From:
Western Washington
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Posted 14 Sep 2020 11:49 am
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About 3 years ago I got a brand new Mullen SD12. I was playing extended E9 and one day snapped string 3. Then I snapped it's replacement, and a couple more in about 20 minutes and decided this was crazy. Found a forum topic about tuning down to D9 and how it reduced string 3 breakage so decided to give it a try. I first dropped to D9 without changing string gauges just to see if I liked the sound. I loved it so contacted b0b who gave me a recommendation for ExtD9 string gauges. Put those on and I've been playing ExtD9 ever since...and I've never snapped string 3 again 
I've since learned Mullen has a video on how to wrap string 3 to reduce breakage - which I always do now. I guess that means I could go back to ExtE9 but I'm so used to ExtD9 and love the sound that I'm staying right where I am 
Most of the adjustments were minor and easily handled by the tuning nuts (and split screws for strings 5 & 10). I did have a couple tuning nut adjustments that forced me into overtightening. For those I had to make changes to my bellcrank & changer tuning rod positions. No big deal as my Mullen is crazy easy to work on and I'd already spent a lot of hours under there trying different ideas anyway
_________________
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Herb Steiner
From:
Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064
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Posted 14 Sep 2020 4:00 pm Re: A Fallen Star
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David Jackson is certain that in 1962 Jimmy was playing "Blue Darlin' #1" and it's that guitar on "Steel/Strings." And it's definitely D9, as you can tell by the open string riffs he played.
FWIW, I have D9 on both my Bigsby T-8 and my PAReissue 10-10-8, due to the long-scale 24.5" necks. D9 is a very warm, friendly tuning.
_________________
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? |
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Greg Milton
From:
Benalla, Australia
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Posted 14 Sep 2020 10:44 pm
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| That's an interesting approach, b0b. Your P4 and vertical is something I'll need to mull over... |
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