Bobby Lee, bOb

[David Cook]

Hi, I am interested in what kind of music you play with the 7 string tuning you mentioned(E 6th) for lap steel. Also, why do you have the lower F# in there? Thanks so much.

[b0b]

This is the tuning: B E F# G# B C# E

I use it for rock. The F# string gives me a convenient "power chord" grip on B x F# x B, and it provides a root tone in the position two frets below the key fret.

You can hear it on this track:
http://openheartsmusic.com/lyrics/betwe ... d.you.html

I used a Sierra laptop (8 string, but I didn't play the high G# at all). The outro is a pedal steel, by the way - very different.

[David Cook]

Thanks Bob, I like the combination of the low 5ths in addition to having the E6th. I listened to the song and it sounded great. Like the pedal steel at the end. I also have a Sierra lap with a True Tone.

[Ron Whitfield]

Cool tune, bOb.

Do you have examples of using the F# in tunes of a more standard country/WS/Hawaiian mode?

Last night I switched to your version on my E6 tuning, and now have (hi to low) G# E C# B G# F# E B, (what is that thing?) and am searching for uses for the F# within these contexts. I found a few, but would like to hear what else you have on it, music and thot wise.

[b0b]

No, I don't really feel the need for that middle F# in traditional steel music. I don't have any recordings that use it.

My personal recommendations for the more traditionally-minded 8-string player are: [tab] E13 C6/A6
G# E
E C/C#
C# A
B G/F#
G# E
E C/C#
D A
B F/F# [/tab]
I recommend those tunings because they make it easy to switch back and forth between pedal and non-pedal guitars. There's plenty of instructional material available for both.

[Bunky Markert]

I wanted to compliment you on your playing on the tune you posted. It had a trippy Jefferson Airplane vibe, Youngbloods thing going on. And the Hawaiian tag at the end. Very thoughtful parts you laid out in there. It made the song. Cool, man.

[b0b]

Actually, the outro is an intro to another tune, a Hawaiian-flavored song called "Under The Stars". We always play them back to back, but decided not to put "Under The Stars" on the CD because the lyricist was no longer with the band.

Thanks for the compliments!