Technical question regarding tuning

Lap steels, resonators, multi-neck consoles and acoustic steel guitars

Moderator: Brad Bechtel

Post Reply
Mike Dexter
Posts: 79
Joined: 6 Feb 2004 1:01 am
Location: Derbyshire, England

Technical question regarding tuning

Post by Mike Dexter »

Can anybody provide the answer?
Why is it that some players on the C6 prefer the 3rd and 6th of the scale to be a little flat and the 5th of the scale a little sharp? Is it to give the sound a little more 'edge'?--so to speak.

Would the same apply to any other tunings regarding the same degrees of the scale?

Would that apply to Dobro?

Does anybody do this?
Jim Bates
Posts: 1316
Joined: 27 Mar 2002 1:01 am
Location: Alvin, Texas, USA

Post by Jim Bates »

I tune to what sounds good open and at the 11th fret; that's just my quirk. On G tuing dobro, I tune the second string just a little flat, but not quite in unison with the first string when the second is noted on the third fret.

Do what sounds good to you. All tunings are somewhat personally tempered. Just check the many tuning discussions on the Forum's files.

Thanx,
Jim
User avatar
Andy Sandoval
Posts: 5176
Joined: 22 Jul 2004 12:01 am
Location: Bakersfield, California, USA
Contact:

Post by Andy Sandoval »

For C6 I like to tune so that the open major chord sounds in tune. First I tune string 6 to 440, then 5, 4, 2, and 1 so they all sound in tune. Then I tune string 4 (A) so it sounds good with string 5 (E). Then last I make sure the octave strings 6 and 2 (C's) and 5 and 1 (E's) match up. It works for me.
User avatar
David Doggett
Posts: 8088
Joined: 20 Aug 2002 12:01 am
Location: Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)

Post by David Doggett »

Do a web search on Just Intonation (JI) and Equal Temper (ET). That will explain why many people tune the 3rds of their open tuning flat (JI) of a meter (ET). It's the same for all open tunings, regardless of key.
User avatar
basilh
Posts: 7694
Joined: 26 May 1999 12:01 am
Location: United Kingdom
Contact:

Post by basilh »

What Dave said, plus search the forum for using the same criteria. OR you can always 'phone me . 0781-687-2166 or 0182-770-4110..
Missed you at Shustoke !! But NOT the B***O !!
Boy was he LOUD..
Mike Dexter
Posts: 79
Joined: 6 Feb 2004 1:01 am
Location: Derbyshire, England

Reply to Question

Post by Mike Dexter »

Thanks for the input--most helpful

Mike
Post Reply