Which C6th string is middle C

Instruments, mechanical issues, copedents, techniques, etc.

Moderator: Dave Mudgett

Post Reply
User avatar
Sherman Willden
Posts: 865
Joined: 24 Jun 2003 12:01 am
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA

Which C6th string is middle C

Post by Sherman Willden »

Which C6th string is middle C on the 10-string C6th and 12-string C6th. Thank you Sherman
Sherman L. Willden
It is easy to play the steel guitar. Playing so that the audience finds it pleasing is the difficult act.
User avatar
Jerry Overstreet
Posts: 13910
Joined: 11 Jul 2000 12:01 am
Location: Louisville Ky

Re: Which C6th string is middle C

Post by Jerry Overstreet »

Std. C6 tuning top to bottom

1. G/D

2. E

3. C (middle C) 261.63 Hz. Known as C4

4. A

5. G

6. E

7. C

8. A

9. F

10. C
Last edited by Jerry Overstreet on 2 Apr 2025 8:09 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Sherman Willden
Posts: 865
Joined: 24 Jun 2003 12:01 am
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA

Re: Which C6th string is middle C

Post by Sherman Willden »

Thank you
Sherman L. Willden
It is easy to play the steel guitar. Playing so that the audience finds it pleasing is the difficult act.
User avatar
Earnest Bovine
Posts: 8354
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Los Angeles CA USA

Re: Which C6th string is middle C

Post by Earnest Bovine »

Your 3rd string (C) is ~262 Hz.
7th is ~131
User avatar
Bill McCloskey
Posts: 7719
Joined: 5 Jan 2005 1:01 am
Location: Nanuet, NY
Contact:

Re: Which C6th string is middle C

Post by Bill McCloskey »

I believe the 3rd string is middle C, not the 7th string. In fact I just tested it against my piano. 3rd String is definitely middle C.
Rose Extended C6: Cabinet by J.R. Rose with mechanics engineered by Darvin Willhoite.
Williams D10 9x9.
Mullen Pre-RP D10 8x5
Desert Rose S10 4x5
User avatar
Jerry Overstreet
Posts: 13910
Joined: 11 Jul 2000 12:01 am
Location: Louisville Ky

Re: Which C6th string is middle C

Post by Jerry Overstreet »

Yessir. I corrected my post. Don't know what I was thinking. Guess I did too much text and posted it next to the lower note.
Sorry Sherman. Hope I didn't cause you a lot of trouble. Looks like my mind is going along with the body. :oops:
User avatar
Ian Rae
Posts: 6087
Joined: 10 Oct 2013 11:49 am
Location: Redditch, England
Contact:

Re: Which C6th string is middle C

Post by Ian Rae »

Of course, if you're using notation, the 7th string is written as middle C, although it sounds an octave lower like all guitar music, and the 3rd string does indeed sound middle C 261.6 Hz
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs
User avatar
Jerry Overstreet
Posts: 13910
Joined: 11 Jul 2000 12:01 am
Location: Louisville Ky

Re: Which C6th string is middle C

Post by Jerry Overstreet »

I give up. 😩✋
User avatar
Ian Rae
Posts: 6087
Joined: 10 Oct 2013 11:49 am
Location: Redditch, England
Contact:

Re: Which C6th string is middle C

Post by Ian Rae »

Sorry, Jerry, did I push you over the edge? :)
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs
User avatar
Bill McCloskey
Posts: 7719
Joined: 5 Jan 2005 1:01 am
Location: Nanuet, NY
Contact:

Re: Which C6th string is middle C

Post by Bill McCloskey »

This is no different than if you notate a C and give it to a trumpet player, he is going to play Bb.
Rose Extended C6: Cabinet by J.R. Rose with mechanics engineered by Darvin Willhoite.
Williams D10 9x9.
Mullen Pre-RP D10 8x5
Desert Rose S10 4x5
User avatar
Jerry Overstreet
Posts: 13910
Joined: 11 Jul 2000 12:01 am
Location: Louisville Ky

Re: Which C6th string is middle C

Post by Jerry Overstreet »

No Ian. We're good. Cheers.
User avatar
Ian Rae
Posts: 6087
Joined: 10 Oct 2013 11:49 am
Location: Redditch, England
Contact:

Re: Which C6th string is middle C

Post by Ian Rae »

Bill, only if he's playing a Bb trumpet.
C trumpets are quite common (I play one) and they exist in many other keys.
But I take your point. Guitars are transposing instruments because although they're in C, they sound an octave lower than written, like string basses. Also the tenor voice.

I bet Sherman is really glad he asked...
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs
Post Reply

Return to “Pedal Steel”