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Post new topic Open D Major/minor tuning
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Author Topic:  Open D Major/minor tuning
Karlis Abolins


From:
(near) Seattle, WA, USA
Post  Posted 21 Oct 2023 6:40 am    
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Over in the Pedal Steel section, there's a current thread about lowering the 3rd and 6th strings (the thirds in the diatonic scale) a half step on a pedal or knee lever to get a minor chord. I had that change on my pedal steel and used it a lot. When I simplified my steel life down to six strings non-pedals all tuned to open D, I found I missed the ease of getting a minor with a pedal or lever. I installed two benders on my home-made Doozietone in the standard configuration and found that I didn't really use them that much. I upgraded the bender to a Duesenberg bender because it offers lowers as well as raises. I lower my F# to F with one lever and the high D to Db on the other lever. I use the F# to F lever all the time. Doing harmony scales without bar slants is so enjoyable. I wish that I could put the F# to F change on my Weissenborn! However, I find I don't use the D to DB lever and am contemplating moving it over to the high A to raise it to B for an additional minor chord.

Any thoughts about what I could use the second lever for?

Karlis
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Bill Groner


From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
Post  Posted 21 Oct 2023 8:06 am    
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No thoughts on the levers, but I'd love to see a pic of the Doozietone.
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Currently own, 6 Groner-tone lap steels, one 1953 Alamo Lap steel, Roland Cube, Fender Champion 40
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David Knutson


From:
Cowichan Valley, Canada
Post  Posted 21 Oct 2023 9:26 am    
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Interesting thought, Karlis. Adding that A to B change gives you not only an extra minor, but with both levers engaged you’ve got a minor 6th on the middle 4 strings, and a nice diminished triad in there as well. Could be fun.
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David K
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Karlis Abolins


From:
(near) Seattle, WA, USA
Post  Posted 22 Oct 2023 8:44 am    
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Thank you for your thoughts.

Bill, Here is a picture of my Doozietone in its natural habitat. Honduran mahogany, glued paper fretboard, roller nut with gauged rollers, Lollar imperial humbuckers, Duesenberg Multi-bender.





David, I hadn't thought of the minor 6th. As a diminished chord, it would only be an inversion of a diminished chord (minor 3rd minor 3rd). I would need to raise the lower A to get a true diminished chord.

Karlis
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Bill Groner


From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
Post  Posted 22 Oct 2023 12:12 pm    
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Thanks Karlis for the pic. Very nice build!
Good choice on jack location, nice straight wire route.

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Currently own, 6 Groner-tone lap steels, one 1953 Alamo Lap steel, Roland Cube, Fender Champion 40
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