C6 strings for A6 and E7?

[Will Helton]

I've tuned my C6 neck on my Fender Dual 6 to a high A6:

C# E F# A C# E - (low to high)

and I reckon it works well.

What was the low C and is now a C# was a 0.34, but I don't think that's too light for tuning up a semi-tone.

I've also tuned the other neck to E7:

B D E G# B E - (low to high)

and it occurred to me that I could, in theory, just use a standard C6 set of lap steels strings for both sets of tunings.

Does that make sense or should I be tailoring things more?

I'm basically trying to make my life easier and not have to keep trying to find a variety of different string sets.

What say you all?

Thanks,
Will

[Jack Hanson]

In E7, your fourth string may feel a tad floppy, and your fifth string a little tight, but you oughta be okay. There's one way to find out!

Another great tuning with similar gauged strings is B11. Low to high: B D# F# A C# E

[Will Houston]

I just recently tuned one of my C6 steels to E7, all is good.

[Will Helton]

Thanks to you both. I appreciate it.

As long as the extra tightness doesn't damage the instrument, I'll be fine.

I had considered just buying 6 individual, custom gauge strings, but at least here in the UK that's appreciably more expensive.

I'll mix it up and see how it goes.

[Tim Whitlock]

For E7, try tuning the B up to C# to get E13 and see what you think. I use it on my D6 Rickenbacker. A very cool and versatile tuning.

[BJ Burbach]

Which B?

[Tim Whitlock]

The 2nd string,

[Tom Campbell]

I retuned my lap 8 string to B6 instead of C6. B6 is closely related to E9. I can change the B6 tuning to B11 also...using the same gauge of strings for all those tunings.