No "G" string on top of C6--handicap?

Wayne Carver · Post by **Wayne Carver** » 19 Apr 2003 9:21 pm

Since I started on reso open "G" tuning I guess i'm use to having the "V" note of the chord on top like the "D" of GBD or the "G" of CEG. Is this a drawback or handicap of a sixstring lap steel? I just started playing a 10 string console and like having the "G" on top. It must not be that big of a deal since a lot of players have a "D" on top. I still like my six stringers, just wonder if I get use to my 10 stringer if i'll have trouble playing my six stringers.

mikey · Post by **mikey** » 20 Apr 2003 12:06 am

The whole reason for having more than 6 strings is so you CAN set it up anyway you like and put the G on top...but..It can become problematic if you go back to a 6 string after becoming used to more, altho just avoid the top string...and I personally never felt a need for more than 8 strings on a non pedal and got rid of all my 6 string Electric non's..keep a single 8 stringmaster (Deluxe) for C6 and tune my 6 strings (acoustics) to open G altho I DO have 1 Dobro in C6 and only use it for practice but I do find myself looking for that high G on occasion...
Mike

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 20 Apr 2003 5:23 am

I come from the old school. To me lap steel needs nothing higher than an E note as the top string. And I agree that they never need more than 8 strings.

While C6 with an E on top, does not afford the player the flexibility of a 1-3-5 voicing (top strings), Jerry Bryd dazzled the world for over 60 years by playing 1-5 whenever he needed that chord.

An interesting thing about that 2 string harmony; after trying to emulate JB for all these years, I have found that EVEN when I can have the 1-3-5 on my PSG,

"IT jes' don sound right to me".

So......

Happy Easter Jerry Byrd, And may Jesus bring you and all others peace and joy in your hearts all the days of your life,

carl

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 20 Apr 2003 9:41 am

I agree with you Carl. My top string on my Emmons busted years ago so I left it off. I found it difficult to play JB tunes with it up there getting in the road of my slants.

I prefer having the C# on the bottom of my six string C6th tuning. Gives you a lot of low end stuff.

Bob Stone · Post by **Bob Stone** » 21 Apr 2003 6:30 am

Wayne,

I can empathize with you. I played Dobro in G tuning for years (and still do) before trying C6 on an electric. I really miss the 5th on top, but have mostly gotten used to it. And in the process I leaned a whole lot about where to find notes, intervals and chords on both the C6 and the G. C6th with the 3rd on top will make you think and learn the fretboard--and that's good.

I agree with JB, Carl and Ray about not using any string higher than an E on top--too "thin" sounding for my ears. But lots of good players do use a high G.

Seven or eight strings are enough for me. I don't pick much melody on the 7th and 8th strings, but use them primarily to fatten-up chords.

Hope this helps.

Chris Scruggs · Post by **Chris Scruggs** » 21 Apr 2003 7:57 am

I feel a high G is too high, but if you want that triad on top, try using A6. Just turn your C strings up to C#, and drop your G strings down to F#. Since you are a dobro player, you might like this tuning since it is only one step higher than G.I see alot of dobro players use G6, but I think that is just too low( and too many wound strings)for electric.
I love C6, but there are somethings you just cant play without a high 5th, like those Johnny Sibert licks on Carl Smiths old records.You just can't play Loose Talk or Hey Joe without A6!But I love C6, and I use both regularly.

Jeff Au Hoy · Post by **Jeff Au Hoy** » 22 Apr 2003 8:07 am

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 22 Apr 2003 8:25 am

The string gauges for A6 (fifth on top) and C6 (third on top) are the same. It's very easy to switch from one tuning to the other.

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b.gif" width="64" height="64">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9), Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 22 Apr 2003 12:57 pm

The B11 tuning also features the 1,3,5 on the top strings ...
<pre>

In respect to an:

A Chord B Chord

E 5 4
C# 3 2
A 1 7b
F# 6 5
D# 5b 3
B 2 1
F# 6 5
B 2 1

</pre>

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www.horseshoemagnets.com [This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 22 April 2003 at 01:58 PM.]

Wayne Carver · Post by **Wayne Carver** » 25 Apr 2003 5:42 am

I found a tuning I like with a G on top. I didn't find the G too thin. It is
(high)GECAGF(low) It was suggested by Chuck Lettes (C Lettes) here on the forum. He also has some instructional material available,(LESSONS) Thanks

Todd Weger · Post by **Todd Weger** » 25 Apr 2003 11:49 am

... the third will be a little flat but your outrageous, throbbing "Hawaiian" vibrato will render it undetectable.

I started out really missing that 5th on top, but after Dick Sanft retuned my C6 (high G) to a C6 with the E on top, and with string 8 to a low C, nothing else sounds right to my ears for a rich Hawaiian sound. You get used to it.

I DO miss that high G though for playing San Antonio Rose on the C6 neck (if I'm playing it in the key I sing it in, which is G). Gotta use my A6 neck (E on top), but in key of G, doesn't sound right at the 10th fret. Sigh...

TJW

Billy Jones · Post by **Billy Jones** » 29 Apr 2003 8:50 pm

I'm from the old old old school and started with the simple A major 6 string tuning. Later, when got my National console, I discovered the C6th (what a relief). The major and minor triads made all the difference in the world. Since then, I've gone to the A6th but, like bOb suggested, I can use the C6th set of strings and switch back and forth to the A6th just by lowering the Gs to F# and raising the Cs to C#. The F# on the top has an advantage as you will see if you try it. Meanwhile, I've lost nothing in the middle. On the bottom of the 8 string, I keep the root. However, I play a 10 string lap now and I'm able to add another F# and a D on the bottom. It works so well with me that I don't bother with the C6th anymore. I have 6, 8, 10 and 12 string guitars including pedals and I tune them all the same. No confusion except that I just use an E on the first of the 6 string and a C# on the bottom. This tuning seems to fit all. ... Billy

Jesse Pearson · Post by **Jesse Pearson** » 30 Apr 2003 7:59 am

I have a question for Jeff's G triad's 3rd being a little flat. Aren't ya suppose to dip the bar down to raise the B note a little sharp while letting the tip of the bar connect with the 5th note D? Do some pro's just like the sound of the third being flat because they aren't tuned to JI, but rather EI and thus it gets balanced out in the end at least for that part. I myself like the idea of being tuned to JI and doing the dip on the slant to raise that one note. That's a cool voicing Jeff, keep em coming!