String Gauges for 8-String C6th

[b0b]

Taking a survey here. What string gauges do you use for 8-string C6th? Also, what's your scale length?

[Jim Fogarty]

Fender Dual 8 Pro....so 22" scale.....I LOVE the Pearse 7650 (Cindy Cashdollar) High G set. So:

011, .014, .018, .024, .030, .036, .046, .056

[Nic Neufeld]

Naturally our answers will depend on what specific 8 string C6 type!

My main tuning is JAS C13 E C A G E C Bb C, rarely converted back to vanilla C6 by detuning the Bb to A.

I have a few guitars using this string set from John Pearse:
7680 C6 Tuning .015, .017, .020, .024, .028w, .032w, .036w, .062w

All scaled 24.5" or thereabouts.

I might get in trouble for this, but I still have the factory strings on my Clinesmith frypan, tuned similarly (keep the strings clean, and if it ain't broke...) Todd said these are the gauges he set it up for:
15,18,20,26,30,36,42,70

Rather heavier than the above set...I love the tone and I think a lighter gauge set would bottom out against the pickup. I would try that on my other guitars but I already have trouble with the .062 gauge string sitting higher in the nut than the other strings (requiring extra pressure by the nut to avoid string buzz).

[D Schubert]

From SGF store: SIT E13 nickel wound, tuned with high G, low A/Bb, 24" scale Fender Stringmaster

12-15-18-20p-26w-32-36-42

[Mike Auman]

Novice to lap steel, but 50+ years messing with acoustic and electric 6-string guitars made me particular (peculiar?) about strings. So far on the 8-string Melbert, 23.25" scale, it's C6 with a high D and low A. High to low D-E-C-A-G-E-C-A, gauges 17-14-17-20 plain and 24-30-36-42 wound. Started out with a low F (54) on the 8th string but found the A more useful.
Currently I'm liking the D'Addario NYXL C6 pedal steel set, mostly because I liked NYXL so well on my electrics. They cost more but stay in tune and sound fresh for a long time.

[Mike Neer]

I play a 25" scale and use the SIT Buddy Emmons C6 pedal steel set and just use the ones I need out of the 10.

[Butch Pytko]

For my non pedal 24.5" scale steels.....

top 16 18 22 24 30 36 42 (68 or 70).

[Paul McEvoy]

I'll use what Mike Neer is using. Seriously. Actually that's a good idea, I've been buying 8 string C6 sets and then adding singles, makes more sense to buy the 10 string set.

[Al Wiegel]

SX-8 25" scale ACEGACEG 42 36 30 24 20 17 15 12 I buy the 10 string sets of SIT Nickel Wound through my pedal steel retailer.

[Joe Cook]

I always buy strings from you Bob! SIT 8 string set for A6. I use them on 22" scale for A6 and 22.5" for C6.

[b0b]

I always buy strings from you Bob! SIT 8 string set for A6. I use them on 22" scale for A6 and 22.5" for C6.

Yes, that 8-string A6th is also perfect for C6th. I went back and forth between the two tunings on a Stringmaster when I designed them. But, stupid me, I didn't measure the scale length. I think it was 24.5".

[Garry Vanderlinde]

I like the D'Addario NYXL 12/70 C6th Pedal Steel set for 22 1/2" and 24 1/2" scale. You can twist them around to any multitude of tunings.
Like Mike Neer, I pick out the ones I like out of the Pedal Steel set. Their nickel is the smoothest!
e on top/ F on the bottom: .014 .017 .020 .024 .030 .036 .042 .054

[Robert Allen]

With high G: 10-15-18-22P-26W-30-38-44
With E on #1 15-18-22P-26W-30-38-44-48
With low C 15-18-22P-26W-30-38-44-68
or whatever gauges the customer requests. I purchase individual gauges in bulk so I'm not tied to a stock set. Mostly Ernie Ball but when not available, I'll use D'Addario, GHS, or SIT. Wound strings are nickel round wound. Most guitar wire is Mapes piano wire.

[b0b]

This is all very helpful. Keep them coming, folks.

[Einar Baldursson]

e on top/ F on the bottom: .014 .017 .020 .024 .030 .036 .042 .054

I use those exact gauges for C13th except my bottom note is usually a low C .068. Sometimes I’ll use a high G instead and then I’ve settled on .011. A higher gauge sounds too shrill and tight to my ears. This is for both short and long scale and I usually buy standard nickel wound D’addarios as singles.

[Rob Fenton]

I use C6 with a high G on 24.5" scale.

12, 14, 17, 20p, 24w, 30, 36, 42

I have one guitar that sounds a little thin on top so I bump up the gauges of the first two strings to 13 and 15 respectively.

[Paul McEvoy]

Just wondering if in general people who do behind the bar bending tend to go with a lighter set?

[Jack Hanson]

Just wondering if in general people who do behind the bar bending tend to go with a lighter set?

Excellent point. It's a luxury to have enough 6-string lap steels at one's disposal to set up individual instruments to a dedicated tuning and string set. As a standard C6-based player of 6-string lap steels, I have set up two instruments (C6 & B11) with lighter gauges on the top two strings to facilitate string pulls.

I'm a big believer of purchasing strings by the gauge in packs of a dozen. It's a tad spendy, but well worth it in the long run. For the price of the latest hot pedal that you just gotta have, you can purchase a stock of strings that will allow plenty of experimentation.

[Andy DePaule]

I've been using these gauges on my short scale Clinesmith all aluminum lap steel.
15 17 20p 26w 30 34 42 56
This works for C6th with the 3rd tone on top and A6th with the 5th tone on top.
This was how Todd had it set up when I got it and seemed great.
I usually play it in A6 with an E on the bottom string as I prefer that tonality, but sometimes tune it to C6th to use it with some tab.

Right now I'm using D'Addario Electric Guitar Chromes Flat Wound strings in the same gauges and love the mellower tone and smoothness of the feel.
I usually get my strings from the forum shop, but got these from juststrings.com and they have great service.

I use the same gauges, but round wound strings on my T8 Clinesmith.
My long scale Clinesmith aluminum lap steel has E6/9th with only 3 wound strings, but thats a way different tuning. A little like E13th but different order of strings.

[Jim Peter]

https://www.elderly.com/products/john-p ... eel-guitar

[b0b]

https://www.elderly.com/products/john-p ... eel-guitar

I just ordered a batch of those for the Forum Catalog, Jim. I think that's the Cindy Cashdollar set.

[Garry Vanderlinde]

Cindy's tuning, low to high A-C-E-G-A-C-E-G
That's why the .011 on the first string.
I've got nothing against a high g, some of my best friends use it.
If you tune e as your first string, these are not for you.