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Topic: Guyatone D8 (pic).....tuning suggestions? |
Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 23 Oct 2007 4:18 pm |
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Hi guys and gals,
This is my new acquisition. It is arriving on Monday. I found it here in Newfoundland at a good price. I would really appreciate some suggestions for tunings. I want to use it for swing and rock, so would a 6th and a 7th tuning be appropriate? I have to get the proper strings from b0b, so I want to order them asap and get rolling.
Also, if anyone has any info on this brand and/or model, that would be really cool.
Thanks in advance......
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Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com |
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Chris Johnson
From:
USA
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Posted 23 Oct 2007 7:11 pm
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Hey Chris. I have one. There isn't too much info on these guitars anymore but what I do know is that they were made in the 60's as fender copy. Tone wise, they sound nothing like the stringmaster's, yet they sound pretty good. The pickups are not as agressive as its fender counterpart but they tend to have a softer, more mellow tone. Once you adjust your amp to it's tonal characteristics and play with the pickup switch, it will become a part of the family.
On the bottom neck, I use an E7 tuning.
On the top, I use a standard C6. |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 23 Oct 2007 8:51 pm
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Hi Chris,
Thanks so much for the post. I did a bit of forum research and found out pretty much what you've said. There were some words of warning about the older rocker switches that can be accidentally hit when picking.
I'm just looking to explore the non-pedal thing a bit. I've been on and off for the last few years, spending most of my time on the pedals. So I look forward to the change of scenery.
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com |
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Jeff Strouse
From:
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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Posted 24 Oct 2007 12:10 am
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Hi Chris -
I had a Guyatone D-8 that I sold a few years ago to purchase a T-8, but now wish I would have kept it. It is a great guitar...just like Chris said, a little more mellow in tone...but, some people prefer that. Guyatone not only made Fender 'copies', but also other styles. Mine had volume and tone knobs on both necks.
That was a fun guitar...it could sing! I hope she's gettin' the heck played out of her now and is enjoying whatever home she's living in!  |
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Frederic Mabrut
From:
Olloix, France
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Posted 24 Oct 2007 12:19 am
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Chris,
on my Gibson Console D8, I have an E7 on the upper neck and Don Helms' E6/E13 tuning on the the bottom neck. I play mainly rockabilly and it works perfectly.
Regards, |
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J Fletcher
From:
London,Ont,Canada
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Posted 24 Oct 2007 6:17 am
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Hi Chris
Here's a tuning that I like, because it's essentially an E9 pedal steel tuning, with the E's lowered. B6th/E9. Lots of swing sounding stuff, Hank Williams sounds, minor chords, major chords, 6th chords, 7th chords, and it easily translates back to my pedal playing, so I don't have to keep track of another tuning. It's hard enough as it is! Low to high. B,D,D#,F#,G#,B,D#,F#...Jerry |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 24 Oct 2007 7:57 am
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This is great info, guys. I'm looking forward to getting it. I know it's no Stringmaster, but it should be fun exploring these new tunings. It seems to makes sense sticking with E and C for keys, seeing that my brain is used to a pedal setup.
Jerry, where is the 7th chord in that tuning? My mind is not firing on all cylinders yet today.
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com |
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Ken Pippus
From:
Langford, BC, Canada
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Posted 24 Oct 2007 8:41 am
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Chris, there's a pile of instructional material available for 8 string nonpedal C6 tuning, in nearly any style you can come up with. I'd certainly have one neck tuned that way. The Don Helms E13 is an easy translation from that tuning, and will ring lots of bells from your pedal E9, but I don't think of that one as being especially blues scale friendly, so it might not be great for rock'n'roll. It'll give ya great cred on Hey, Good Lookin', though.
KP |
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J Fletcher
From:
London,Ont,Canada
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Posted 24 Oct 2007 9:07 am
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Hi Chris
There's an E7th in the open position, two inversions actually,low to high, B,D,G#, and D,G#,B. There's no root in that chord. Just a 5th, flat 7th and 3rd.
I use that voicing often...Jerry |
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D Schubert
From:
Columbia, MO, USA
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Posted 26 Oct 2007 8:32 am
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On my Valco/English D-8, I have A6 on the back neck and E13th on the front neck. From lo to hi, that is...
F#AC#EF#AC#E
EG#DF#G#BC#E
Lots of the same intervals as E9th PSG -- think pedals up for front neck, pedals A-B down for back neck. |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 27 Oct 2007 5:02 am
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E13 on one neck (E top note)
and C6/A7 on the other (E top note)
Covers most of what you need. |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 6 Nov 2007 7:46 pm
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Basil et al,
Just noticing your posts now. Don't know why I didn't get notification. Thanks for the suggestions. I just set up the Guyatone (before seeing this post) and ended up going with something very similar to what you suggested, for now anyway:
I have an E13 on the front neck: B D E G# B C# E G#
...and a C6/A7 on the front neck, with a low B (for an A9): B A C# E G A C E
This guitar sounds really nice. I gutted it and cleaned it up, and I think I'll keep it for a while. If I find I don't need two necks, I may trade for a single neck or something.
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 7 Nov 2007 2:14 am
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So what are you putting on the neck that DOESN'T have a 'Trilogy" ?
Seriously though, the E13 you're using misses out the low E, and, the high G# only makes it a similar tuning to the C6 you already have. Whereas if you use the E13th I suggested you'll have the basics of three inversions of a major chord with the top notes being either root (E13) third (C6/A7) or Fifth (cheating a little with either..) |
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Paul Warnik
From:
Illinois,USA
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Posted 7 Nov 2007 4:11 am
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Chris-Nice find-cool looking-When I had to choose which tunings to use on my recently acquired '57 Fender Stringmaster dual neck I went with A6TH and E13TH-I am not sure which E13TH variant Basil H is suggesting-it may be the same one I like (which I believe is credited to Leon McAuliffe) It goes
E B D F# G# B C# E Low to high
I like deleting the major 3rd (G#) in the bass so you are not locked in to major mode down there and the close intervals of the top strings make single note scales simple-Also I really like A6TH for non pedal more than C6TH because you can use a little bit heavier strings-If you do decide to sell or trade it please keep me in mind-thanks-PW |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 7 Nov 2007 4:20 pm
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| What Paul said about the E13th. !! |
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Robbie Daniels
From:
Casper, Wyoming, USA
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Posted 8 Nov 2007 7:58 am
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Chris
I have a 56 D8 Rickenbacker Consul and I will list the tunings I use for you to think about.
bottom neck C6, low to high
C E G A C E G D
Top neck E9, low to high
E B D E G# B E F#
I gauge my strings to make change adjustments as needed, such as changing E9 to A6 or changing C6 to A7, etc.
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Carter D12, MSA S12, 12 String Custom Made Non-Pedal, Evans FET 500LV, Evans SE200, Peavey Nashville 400, Fender Steel King |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 8 Nov 2007 9:25 am
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Thanks, Robbie! I have to get my feet wet on this instrument. I am so friggin' busy this week I haven't had much time on it. I have to try out these options and settle on what's best for me.
I really appreciate all the suggestions. I need two tunings that will allow me to play country, swing and rock. And, of course, I need to learn how to use these tunings....minor technicality.
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com |
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Ernest Cawby
From:
Lake City, Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 8 Nov 2007 10:59 pm Fender 1000
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JUst acquired this D8, will use the front neck as E 9 with pulls, on the bottom neck will use Don helms E 13. I have been playing a 6 string national lately with this tunning.Have had so much attention on this set up and having lots of fun. Several of the guys are changing their Dobro's over to this tunning. Also some are wanting to buy a 6 string and leard to play, our bass man for one, and others.
Where can I find parts for working under this guitar, wire and parts to set up the wire and rods if needed ?????.
I will post some pics when I pick it up. Gettring it from Lonnie Portwood. Any help will be good to have, and will be thankfull.
ernie |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 9 Nov 2007 12:50 am
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Have Fun.
You'll find the Fender Cable guys post CLICK HERE |
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J Fletcher
From:
London,Ont,Canada
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Posted 11 Nov 2007 7:05 am
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If I wanted to play rock and roll, and some blues style on non pedal, I would have some variant of open E, to do Elmore James type licks, David Lindley and bottleneck blues styles. Plus it would be an easy tuning to understand, coming from a guitar playing background. For me, learning another tuning takes a lot of time. I'm already working on E9 pedal steel, and that's plenty to try and figure out. So to get maximum use out of a non pedal D8, unless I was deciding to become a non pedal player, I would, and do, stick to tunings that relate back to what I know.
I currently have my D8 tuned to E9, and the aforementioned B6/E9. Anything I can play on those tunings, admittedly not a great deal, I can easily play on my E9th pedal tuning...Jerry |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 24 Nov 2007 7:30 am
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I decided to sell this one and upgrade to a Stringmaster. I took this guitar apart and polished everything. I even took apart the tuners and cleaned the trays, etc. It's currently listed on Ebay:
click here
I will send a donation if a forum member wins.
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com |
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 24 Nov 2007 11:15 am
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I've bought two in England. I haven't seen them yet. One I gave to a friend in Birmingham, and the other Basil is holding until my next trip over.  |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 24 Nov 2007 9:50 pm
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Alan, maybe this could be three.
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com |
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Paul Warnik
From:
Illinois,USA
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Posted 24 Nov 2007 10:32 pm
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Chris-good luck with your auction-I would have liked to buy it-unfortunately I do not do Ebay  |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 24 Nov 2007 10:44 pm
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Paul, I had witnessed some weird stuff in the For Sale section here on the forum when people did not know what to charge. Back door auctions were breaking out and people got perturbed from wondering who was first in line, what amounts people were offering, etc. So to avoid that, I just put it up for auction. Sorry about that!
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com |
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