The Steel Guitar Forum

I am posting a link to my MP3 of the subject beautiful Gospel song.
I have the tab for this available. All you have to do is email me and I will send it to you. However please do not request unless you are serious about tuning up and trying
this amazing little set-up. As I have said before it is a quick change from standard C6th. email:roythomson@eastlink.ca
Here's the link: http://members.cox.net/loveridehd/HOWLONGHASITBEEN.mp3 <font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Roy Thomson on 28 March 2005 at 06:16 PM.]</p></FONT>

Wow! The Leavitt tuning is great for more than just jazz! It also has an awesome country flavor! That was fantastic, Roy!

I agree with you Jeff. It is very versatile.
Style has everything to do with expression no matter what tuning you play and that includes the Leavitt set up.
If you want it to sound country...you must think country,,jazz,,,pop,,,hawaiian etc

Roy,

¿How would I go about retuning 6 consecutive strings of a U12 to try out Leavitt?

Little by little the clips you put up have me looking at vintage 6 string lapsteels on EBay.

Jeremy Williams
Barcelona Spain

Jeremy,
I would not recommend that ie on a U12. I
did it a few weeks ago on a 10 stringer and
unless you string from the first position down to postition 6 it is confusing and
hampers playing.
A better way to experiment with the tuning would be to take a six string acoustic guitar. Put the correct guage strings on there and experiment/try the tuning.
Just an idea for you to consider and I don't see why it would not work well for you and save you a few $$ ,,,at least for the time
being. I have done this and still do it
to test various tunings using acoustic steels that I made for the purpose.

Roy<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Roy Thomson on 29 March 2005 at 06:01 AM.]</p></FONT><font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Roy Thomson on 29 March 2005 at 06:02 AM.]</p></FONT>

I find the easiest way to apply the Leavitt tuning on a 6string is this.
If your tuning is "C E G A C E"
raise string 6 to C#
raise string 3 to Bb
lower string 1 to D.

On 8 and 10 string pedals, apply as necessary.

Roy,
good idea.

I have a fretless classical guitar (!!!!) that I use for playing fretless banjo (using my "patented 6string banjo tuning)

I think I shall go get a few nylon strings. Two 4ths a 3rd two 2nds and a first.

4th 4th 3rd 2nd 2nd 1st
D D G B B E classical pitch
C# E G Bb C D leavitt

or maybe use Leavitt up a tone for one less wound string

4th 3rd 2nd 2nd 1st 1st classical string
D G B B E E classical pitch
D# F# A C D E leavitt

Won´t SOUND good but I´ll know if the tuning suits me...I bought a U12 on the basis of this sort of experimentation.

Jeremy Williams
Barelona Spain

Now that I got the Leavitt tuning setup for a six string I will have to give this a shot and begin breaking out of pure C6 tuning.

Jeremy,
I play classical guitar and am familiar with
Nylon and Gut strings. They do not work well under a bar. Quite spongy!!It is not a good way to assess the tuning in my opinion but it may serve your purpose? Worth a try.
PS Don't forget to raise the nut.

One more thing, if you're looking for a nice raised nut, go to http://www.gruhn.com

Look in the "Accessories" section for "Micro Perfect Guitar Nut".

They're only $5.95 .

Understood on the spongy sound...I have done it before. It´s just to find out WHAT I can play. Making it sound good is a question of getting a good lap steel.

Actually, nylon doesn´t work well under a bar...but I can get something acceptable with a small glass deodorant bottle!!!!!! Wouldn´t play it in public though...neither looks nor sounds nor smells right.

Thanks for the raised bridge info.

Now that I think about it...it could be tried out on a standard guitar...no bar, just limit yourself to fretting in straight lines. I could even use my ztar to rapidly try out different six string tunings!!!!!

Just thinking out loud.

Jeremy Williams
Barcelona Spain

here is leavitt's tenderly and misty on e9

www.ebierly.com/tenderly.gif
www.ebierly.com/tenderly.gif
www.ebierly.com/tenderly.gif
www.ebierly.com/tenderly.gif

www.ebierly.com/misty.gif
www.ebierly.com/misty.gif
www.ebierly.com/misty.gif
www.ebierly.com/misty.gif
www.ebierly.com/misty.gif



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ed bierly