Lap steel

Bruce Griffin · Post by **Bruce Griffin** » 25 Apr 2002 4:07 pm

I just acquired a Electar Zephyr and immediately started busting strings as I tried to figure out a tuning (for blues and rock mostly.) Wondering about what it's worth (fair condition) what's a good tuning or two for it, and string gauges, please. That 22 and 1/4 scale changes things on gauges, apparently. Thanks!

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 25 Apr 2002 5:50 pm

What tuning are you using? You shouldn't be busting strings unless you're trying to use the wrong gauges for the tuning you're trying to use.
This is the string gauge chart to which I refer most people.
I normally use either open E or open D (bass to treble:
<h4>E B E G# B E</h4>
or
<h4>D A D F# A D</h4>
).
For these tunings, a good set of "regular" gauge electric guitar strings (.056 to .013) works well.
According to the 2001 Vintage Guitar Price guide, your Epiphone Electar Zephyr could be worth between $300 and $500 in excellent condition. Without a better description or a photo of the instrument, it's impossible to give a better guesstimate.

------------------
Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Brad Bechtel on 25 April 2002 at 06:51 PM.]</p></FONT>

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 26 Apr 2002 2:28 am

What Brad said.

Here's another useful string gauge chart:
http://panworld.net/~johnely/learning/gauges.html

Bob Schaedler · Post by **Bob Schaedler** » 26 Apr 2002 7:30 am

The Sol Hoopii C#minor, very interesting:
Low to high:

B D E G# C# E

Nice for blues, slant bar to get a major 3-5-1 chord on strings 2,3,4, a little out of tune but neat sound using vibrato.

A variation suggested by Keoki:

F# A# E G# C# E

Strings 2 - 6 are the 9th chord, root on string 6. Fun stuff. Having a ball with these on my Old Kraftsman.

Bob Schaedler · Post by **Bob Schaedler** » 26 Apr 2002 9:40 am

Bruce, on the gauges, the short scale should be able to support standard string gauges, note for note, if they are too slack, move up a whole note (or down an equivalent string guage), works for me.

Zayit · Post by **Zayit** » 2 May 2002 2:34 pm

Sorry to take up a cold thread Bob, but your C#m tuning (B D E G# C# E) looks almost like a stripped-down version of Don Helms E-13th.

I'm a newbie, so I'm asking ya not arguing with ya: Why is this tuning so good for blues? I currently use a high 'G' C6 for blues. Strings 6-5-4 give me most of a dominant 7th (root on string 4)& I can pull string 3 one fret if I need the 3rd too.

I sometimes use open 'E' & that C# on string two would just get in the way of my scales (tried it). Please enlighten me.