Suggested strings for 2nd lapsteel

Neville Robinson · Post by **Neville Robinson** » 11 Jan 2023 9:32 am

hi I am very new here and apparently the member from UK. I have one steel tuned to C6 and will get delivery of my 2nd steel tomorrow.

My Question simply is what tuning do the knowledgeable members recommend that I tune the new steel to for best access to tuition. Thank you.

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 11 Jan 2023 10:15 pm

I would recommend open G tuning (bass to treble):

G B D G B D

Open D is another good choice:

D A D F# A D

Neville Robinson · Post by **Neville Robinson** » 12 Jan 2023 3:30 am

Thank you Brad I will have a look at it.

Joe A. Roberts · Post by **Joe A. Roberts** » 12 Jan 2023 6:15 am

As far as access to tuition goes, that G tuning is really good. There are some good Stacy Phillips books published by Mel Bay that I recommend highly for that tuning:
The Complete Dobro Player
Beginning Dobro Solos
The Deluxe Dobro Tunebook
The Art of Hawaiian Steel Guitar Vol. 1 & 2

David M Brown · Post by **David M Brown** » 12 Jan 2023 9:30 am

Another option would be tunings that have a low range, like open A low bass, open E, and this C#m7:

L-H

E B E G# C# E

Lloyd Graves · Post by **Lloyd Graves** » 12 Jan 2023 10:40 am

I think that I'd tune my second instrument to C6 as well and just stick it on a different part of the house. That way you're always distracted!

I've got an acoustic guitar with a raised nut, a square-neck-metal-bodied Dobro, and now a converted Rogue all in high bass A. The scale length differences are mildly annoying, but it's nice to be able to run through the tunes I am working on wherever I am. I've done the same with my banjos. My wife and kids don't like that situation as much as I do. :oP