The Steel Guitar Forum

This may sound idiotic, but I don't know the answer.
If I have a 10 string guitar, is there some reason I couldn't or wouldn't want to set up, for example, an open E tuning on 5 of the strings and a C6th on the other 5 (leaving out a bass string on each, of course). Would the string tensions and diameters throw off something or create too much tension somewhere, or are there other obvious reasons why I wouldn't even want to bother trying such a thing?
Thanks.

Mike,are you talkin about a PSG or lap steel?
On a PSG you might have a problem getting pedals and knee levers working right.Dunno..PJ

It is possible, but I think you would gain More with one 10-sting tuning. 10 strings allows you to take advantage of a wider range of notes and chord possibilities than two different 5-string tunings IMHO. I actually tried this once, and I felt like I had two incomplete 5-string tunings on my guitar. A combination tuning, like C6/A7 would work well, but I have my doubts about two unrelated 5-string tunings on a 10-string guitar. Just my opinion.

I just bought a 1940 Rick 10-string lap steel (B model I believe), Bakelite, etc. and am wondering
if I could split the strings like I explained in my earlier post. I don't want to go around with 2 guitars and would like to use a C6th and also an open E tuning on the same guitar, if possible, because both have good things to offer, but it was just a crazy thought and I thought I'd throw it out to the group to see if I'm nuts or not.

Hi Mike & Doug , Back in 1947 when I bought my first National D-8 console steel Valco included a tuning chart for 8 string tunings and one was a special tuning some radio-recording star from Chicago used that had a 4 string major and a 4 string 7th chord on one neck and then diminished and augmented 4 string chords on the other neck. There was a minor chord mixed in there also somehow ?? It didn't make any sense to me then and still doesn't !! But I guess you could split a 10 string neck into two 5 string non-pedal tunings if you wanted ??!! It would be possible !! Eddie "C" ( the old non-pedal geezer )

What the heck, give it a try. You have nothing to lose but a bit of time. Then you will know if it's a usable set up, or not.

Seems that would work on a 12 string,would have two six string tunings at your finger tips.DYKBC.

E13 will probably give you the most bang for the buck.It has all the intervals as a C6 and then some.Plus you can play any tuning in any key so chose a comfortable root key like E, A or C and go with a 13th tuning.Max intervallic combinations is what you want.If you stick with it long enough you'll figure that out for yourself anyhow.