The Steel Guitar Forum

Fred,
Bless your heart!
Erv

Okay, thanks Fred, we beat that to death, I'm dropping it. I'll go back to playing some of the hundreds of TABS with hundreds of backing tracks!!!!!
Geo

Marty Forrer wrote:I dabbled a few years back but other things got in the way. Now I have the time and inclination to learn, but I'm at a loss to know which tuning to pursue.

Marty Forrer wrote:Forgot to say, it's a 6 string.

As my cross-border neighbor Michael M. would say, here's my dos pesos worth.

In my opinion, 6-string instruments are sufficient for learning and a whole lot more. And often times, less is more. Especially at first.

Since used lap steels are fairly abundant and can often be purchased for a relatively small investment, I would recommend two separate instruments with different gauged string sets -- one that's tuned C6 and one that's tuned low-bass G (or A).

From C6 it's easy to retune to A6, B11, and others. A second instrument in G (or A) is easily retunable to D (E) or vice-versa.

There's abundant resource material available for both C6, G (A), and D (E). Both Doug Beaumier's and Andy Volk's tutorials are excellent.

If I had to choose only one tuning, it would be C6. Both Sleepwalk and Steel Guitar Rag lay out nicely on a 6-string tuned C-E-G-A-C-E (low to high).

Good luck, Marty!

CEGACE is a great tuning. I've played more than ever now that I primarily play my 6 string lap steel. 6 strings is not limited at all, I discover something new all the time. Throw in some bar slants and it really gets interesting.

I've over the last months developed a desire for lap steel.

Been researching the genres, the makes, models, the tones from the great players on the forum and on the net.

I'd say you're in tune with the times and you should go for it.

As soon as I'm able will work on getting one myself.

Something light and simple with a small footprint.

But resonant as all get out.

Moog got into the act.