Need advice: Just picked up a National New Yorker 7 string

[Geoff Kooris]

...and I'm up in the air as to what to get for strings - I'd like to do a D tuning. This thing has just incredible thick, rich tone. Could anybody offer me some guidance on getting strings for this guitar? The ones on there were detuned for shipping, so I can't really tell what they were, and they're toasted anyhow.

Thanks,
Geoff

[John Billings]

What type of music are you going to play?

[Geoff Kooris]

I'll be playing mostly Jimmy Rogers, some Uncle Dave Macon, bunch of fiddle tunes mainly. Most of this we play in D or G.

[Rick Alexander]

I always get the (nickel plated) Jagwires b0b has on the forum:
http://pedalsteelmusic.com/strings.html

For D tuning, these gauges would be suitable:
[tab]D - .017
A - .022
F# - .026
D - .034
A - .042
F# - .056
D - .060[/tab]

[Fred Kinbom]

Hey Geoff,

Congrats! Being a National New Yorker fanatic, I would love to see pics of your guitar if possible!

It is probably either a 1936-38 3-pickup model (2 concealed) or a 1938-39 1-pickup model.

Enjoy it - these are great instruments!

Fred

[John Bushouse]

Ditto on Fred - I have a 1935-ish 7-string.

I have mine tuned to A or E instead of G or D. I like (low to high):

EBDEG#BE E7
EBDEG#C#E E13
EBC#EG#C#E E6
EBC#EG#BE E6 - easier because the top 4 are E major (more familiar).

Just drop those a step to get the D tunings.

I get my strings from b0b. I ordere the Jagwire E major set, plus I add in a string between the 4th and 5th strings (something between a 30 and a 38). Nothing beats b0b's personal service. He even threw in an extra string with a gauge he thought might work better for me.

[Geoff Kooris]

Thanks for all the help, guys. I'll probably try a C Diatonic to start a la Jerry Byrd, see how that works and then try the tunings you guys gave me as well. I'll post a couple of pics when I get the chance.

Geoff

[Andy Greatrix]

Shot Jackson's E tuning woulde be interesting.
Hi to low
E-B-G#-E-B-G#-E

[Geoff Kooris]

Tuned it to an E tuning with some strings I didn't know I had. Ran it through the Nashviile 122. When I heard it, thought I'd died and gone to heaven. Wow, I thought, you atheists are missing out! This thing sounds incredible. Tone so thick you could spread it on bread. Put some pics up.









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[John Bushouse]

Definitely a beaut!

[Bill Creller]

That was a lucky find I believe. 7 string New Yorkers seem to be a bit rare. I already know how nice those guitars sound (since 1950)

[John Bechtel]

Geoff; Now you're definitely speaking my language! If I was lucky enough to find a nice 7-string like that one, I would certainly have my favorite tuning on it in a “NY~Minute”!
C-Dia:
1–E - .015p
2–C - .018p
3–B - .020p
4–A - .022p
5–G - .024w/.026w
6–F - .028w/.030w
7–E - .030w/.032w
IMHO, one of, if not ‘the’ most beautiful tunigs in the world!

[Geoff Kooris]

John, then I will have to do just that! I already have strings coming from b0b...

Thanks,
Geoff

[John Bechtel]

Geoff; It might help to get acquainted with the C-Diatonic Tuning by looking at the tuning this way. If you examine/study the tuning, you will notice that the C6-Chord is part of the Dia. Tuning along with many other chords! Many of the tunes that you play strictly on C6 will automatically be playable on the C-Dia. tuning! Try to look at it this way for starters. (Chord-wise)
C = [E]~F~[G]~A~B~[C]~[E]
C6 = [E]~F~[G]~[A]~B~[C]~[E]
C Maj7 = [E]~F~[G]~A~~[C]~[E]
F = E~[F]~G~[A]~B~[C]~E
F Maj7 = [E]~[F]~G~[A]~B~[C]~[E]
F Maj7+9 = [E]~[F]~[G]~[A]~B~[C]~[E]
Em = [E]~F~[G]~A~~C~[E]
G7 = E~[F]~[G]~A~~C~E
G9+13 = [E]~[F]~[G]~[A]~~C~[E]
Am = [E]~F~G~[A]~B~[C]~[E]
Am7 = [E]~F~[G]~[A]~B~[C]~[E]
Am7+9 = [E]~F~[G]~[A[~~[C]~[E]
That's just 12 Chords and several more partials, with a little imagination! These are all open Chords and the grips can be used at any fret, depending on what key you are playing in. The only slight limitations would be that there aren't a whole lot of strums available, but; that would partially depend on your picking proceedure/technique. I have a home-made Video that I would be glad to supply you with upon request. It's not intended as a teaching tool, but; it will give you samples of what you can play on the C-Dia. Tuning. If you want a copy, please email me with your snail-mail address and I'll send you a VCR~Copy. PSGPlayer@webtv.net

[Geoff Kooris]

John,

Thanks so much for the post. I would love to take you up on the VCR tape offer. Unfortunately, I'm probably the one person on the planet without a VCR! I can only play a digital document. The info you gave me right here is huge. I can start playing around with this right away. You've probably saved me at least two months frustration, and three lung fulls of curses. My wife thanks you...Seriously, thanks so much for the info. This is probably the best board for anything I've ever been on, thanks to people like you.

Geoff

[Tom Pettingill]

Thats a great looking New Yorker Geoff, nice score

[Geoff Kooris]

Tom,

I just looked at your steels. That's some of the nicest workmanship and design I've ever seen anywhere. Absolutely beautiful!

Geoff

[Alan Rudd]

What would be a good price for a New Yorker. I have my eye on one. I sold my Nat'l console a while back. Wish I had kept it.

[Geoff Kooris]

Alan, I'm no authority, but I did look for a long time. Based on what I've seen on eBay and elsewhere, if you got a complete one in good working order, not beat up for $600 - $700 that would be a pretty good price. Wish I had bought last year. $400 - $500 would have gotten a great New Yorker.

Geoff