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Topic: Multiple Tunings |
Jeff Garden
From:
Center Sandwich, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 5 Dec 2006 4:07 pm |
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| Question for you "Steel Without Pedalers"...I've only recently picked up an 8 string lap steel after playing pedal steel. I've started out with a "Don Helms E13 tuning" (since that's what I could find tab for) and would like to expand my songlist and ability to play in several different tunings. Since I don't want to stop playing the tunes I've already learned in E13, my question is, does anyone routinely change tunings between songs or is that really rough on a string set where the guages are geared for a particular tuning. As always, thanks for the help.... Jeff |
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Andy Sandoval
From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
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Posted 5 Dec 2006 4:37 pm
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| Jeff, if I'm not mistaken the Don Helms E13 has the same intervals as C6 (bottom to top) A C E G A C E G and also A6 (bottom to top) F# A C# E F# A C# E, so right off you'd be able to play all your songs on two other tunings. The A6 really sounds good with a lot of western swing and hawaiian. |
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Edward Meisse
From:
Santa Rosa, California, USA
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Posted 6 Dec 2006 12:20 am
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| Not quite, Andy. The Don Helms E13 (actually an E6) is the same as the C6 tuning that goes from lo to hi F-A-C-E-G-A-C-E. That is Bobbe SEymore's C6 and it is the basis for Maurice Anderson's 12 string tuning. |
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Robbie Daniels
From:
Casper, Wyoming, USA
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Posted 6 Dec 2006 7:29 am
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I have found that I can get all of Helms that I want or need on C6, therefore I hae tuned my 56 Rickenbacker with tunings complimenting my C6. I tune as follows: bottom neck high to low D G E C A G E C and top neck high to low F C A G E C A F. Basically the two tunings compliment each other for highs and lows or maybe I am just weird.
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Carter D12, MSA D12, 1956 Rickenbacker D8, Evans FET 500LV, Evans SE200
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Dan Sawyer
From:
Studio City, California, USA
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Posted 6 Dec 2006 1:24 pm
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Jeff asked: "does anyone routinely change tunings between songs or is that really rough on a string set where the gauges are geared for a particular tuning?"
Some guys will change one string or maybe two between tunes, but not a whole tuning. It's too time consuming and the strings take time to settle in. When i used to do it, i would retune the major 3rd to a minor depending on the song.
It's probably better for you to get a double neck guitar. The tunings will be more stable and you can relax in between songs instead of worrying about re-tuning. |
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Jim Bates
From:
Alvin, Texas, USA
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Posted 6 Dec 2006 7:19 pm
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On my E3th version (H-L) E C# B G# F# D B E, I would lower the D to a C# or would lower the F# to an E as needed to get the right sound / mood as needed.
Of course if you played mulitple necks, changing necks during a song is quite common.
Thanx,
Jim |
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Carroll Hale
From:
EastTexas, USA
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Posted 7 Dec 2006 7:58 am
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I use standard tuning low to high (GBDGBD) on my dobro. any suggestions for other tunings to get more of the western swing sound aka..bob will, hank sr...
have another acoustic guitar with a raised nut that I could use for this tuning...
any help or comments appreciated...
ch
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Matthew Prouty
From:
Warsaw, Poland
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Posted 7 Dec 2006 8:08 am
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Carroll,
You can tune that dobro to a DBDEGD to get a G6 sound. This is the one that Cindy Cashdollar uses on her Explorations in Minor, Swing and Rockabilly Styles CD. This might be good for you if you like the standard dobro tuning. If its a regular guitar though, watch the tension as the neck could jacknife on you.
For Bob Wills stuff and of the 6th tuning (C6, A6, or E6) can get you going. Leon used an E13th tuning and Herbie used A6th. You can check out Brad's page of steel for a lot of great info on tuning.
I just switched over to Ricky Davis's E13+9 (or is it E9+13?), which I really like because you can get some real sophisticated chord sounds out.
M. |
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Carroll Hale
From:
EastTexas, USA
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Posted 7 Dec 2006 1:38 pm
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thanks so much matthew....this is good info....wow...sao paulo brazil.....you are a long way from me...had the pleasure to visit brazil..or brasil...in the late 90's...went to sao paulo and over to espirito santo on the east coast of brazil....visited the aracruz paper company...I am a research chemist with us paper company..I was working on a project to grow and use eucalyptus trees in our process....very interesting..hope to go back someday...man, what I remember the most is the food...heck, i love food.... the churasscaria (spelling) and a "moqueco" (spelling) were some things we got to experience......some great memories and a wonderful time...
sorry to get off the subject....hey, thanks again for the info....I am sure it will be put to good use...
take care,
ch |
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Les Anderson
From:
The Great White North
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Posted 7 Dec 2006 2:41 pm
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If am doing a gig that has a set play list that tells me that a different tuning my be required, I don't retune.
(I play a D
If it's only one or two notes in the piece that requires another tuning outside of my C6 or E13, "I work around it". The only people who will notice is yourself and/or another band member who has an exceptional ear for sound.
The same goes for a solo. It's nice to be bang on all the time but, how far do you want to take being bang on.[This message was edited by Les Anderson on 07 December 2006 at 02:44 PM.] |
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Ron Randall
From:
Dallas, Texas, USA
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Posted 7 Dec 2006 3:10 pm
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I sometimes tune the string with the 6th interval, up a half-step to a flat 7, for blues, rock.
I sometimes tune the string with the 3rd interval down a half step for a minor chord.
These changes are not that stressful on the guitar, or the player.
hope this helps
ron |
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Jeff Garden
From:
Center Sandwich, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 7 Dec 2006 3:59 pm
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Many thanks to all of you for your advice. Sounds like it's best on a single neck to pick a tuning and stay with it (with maybe a "minor" tweak occasionally) or...now I know why there's double and triple necks!
Jeff |
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