The Steel Guitar Forum

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Hi John,
Given the kind of music you are tending toward, the E6 tuning seems like a no-brainer---the one that Don Helms and Roy Wiggens (to name another player) used on those old country records, with the G# on top. The standard six string C6 tuning ECAGEC (high to low) shares the same intervals, so you are essentially learning the same tuning whether you opt for C6 or E6.

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John-- if you string and tune your guitar for C6, and start to learn that tuning, you can do songs laid out for the E6 tuning by playing the examples 4 frets higher than written. This won't work in reverse if you're tuned to E6. --Steve

I got tired of changing back and forth
so I got an extra 6 string lap steel
and tune one E6th and the other C6th.
I use both frequently.
http://www.clictab.com/RoyT/Roy_Thomson_Steel_Courses.htm

Roy
Regardless of what tuning you play, you play Great.

Yeah, this is why multi-neck steel guitars were invented, right?

John, if your original post had asked, "what is the best all around tuning to learn on in terms of written instruction", I would have to go with C6--- but since you mentioned Don Helms and that sort of old time country, I still think you would be happier with the sound of E6. While it is true that you can play the same thing on C6 four frets higher (as Stephen says), if the AUTHENTIC sound is important to you, it still will not sound just like those old Hank records. The reason is timbre (and I don't mean the kind of wood your guitar is made of). Playing E6 with the G# on top four frets lower on the neck just sounds better for that style than the same thing played higher on C6, even though they may be the exact same notes. Not to mention that if you are playing a short scale 22.5" guitar, fret spacing can get mighty tight up there around the 12th fret and above where you would have to be playing on some of those old solos. I guess it just depends on how serious you really are about achieving "that sound".

I'll go along with Scott, I have and still use E6th with a G# top string, and use C6th as well, I prefer the E6th tuning. It has a brighter tighter sound. C6th will allow you more from learning methods however.

Jody's 100% correct (As Always)
E6 the only way to go..
Basil

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<SMALL>Steel players do it without fretting</SMALL>

Why not split the difference and use D6th? I used it for a Hank Williams tribute show once. I played the Jerry Byrd parts two frets lower and the Don Helms parts two frets higher. Nobody but me could tell the difference.

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<font size="1"><img align=right src="http://b0b.com/Hotb0b.gif" width="96 height="96">Bobby Lee (a.k.a. b0b) - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Williams D-12 E9, C6add9, Sierra Olympic S-12 (F Diatonic)
Sierra Laptop S-8 (E6add9), Fender Stringmaster D-8 (E13, C6 or A6)</font>

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John-- My comments were offered as food for thought (and yes, you clearly have understood what I was saying), but unlike you, I'm not going after one particular sound or style. Also, I'm almost as new at this as you are. I just learned a ton fron Scott's remarks-- clearly excellent advice, and seconded by Jody and Baz, who have a century or so of high-level playing between them. If or when you want to branch out from E6, try C6-- it'll still be there . --Steve

Bobby Lee, I'm going to try your D13 sometime-- whenever I can tear myself away from the "fifth on top"-type tuning. --Steve

Gotta admit, the standard Dobro "G" tuning won't hack it for steel; can't get the same sound. C6 seems to be the way to go for us 6-stringers.
All advice from y'all in the know eagerly awaited and accepted!