The Steel Guitar Forum

I am looking to get a lap steel probably a 6 string. I used to play Pedal Steel but it has been years and I am selling my Emmons but want to switch to a lap steel.

I still play guitar a lot and want one to use on a lot of old Hank Williams tunes with that style. What would be the best tuning to start with and would a 6 or 8 string be better? I am guessing it is a 6th tuning.
Any advice would be appreciated.

This is a FAQ and I always say get an 8, as you can leave off as many strings as you wish, but can go with 8 when you want.

Based on the type of music you've specified, I would think that a SIX STRING tuned to C6th/A7th, will give you all of the melody capabilities you might ever want, as well as being a fabulous back-up tuning.

I'd suggest you figure out EXACTLY WHAT you'd do with that one extra HIGH STRING and one more LOW STRING before I got in a tizzy about which g'tar to buy. It's not like buying a boat or RV trailer where everyone seems to base status on the length of the unit. Two extra strings do not make a steel guitarist.

If you're serious minded about this, I'd suggest you consider quality BEFORE price, try one out and then make your decision.

The comments about the 8 being versatile should be considered. If you buy a 6, you can't make it an 8, however, the reverse is true.

I highly recommend a Georgeboards instrument, as they are 8 string, high quality and "custom shop" caliber.

Let me know if you need any specifics here or through my site, which is devoted to lap steel guitars.

Josh

Here's a link to Don Helm's tunings since you mentioned Hank Williams:


Brads Page Of Steel

It shows both of his 8 string E6 and B13 tunings. That coupled with the fact that the 8 string C6 tuning with an added C# on the bottom and your choice of extra string on top will play all the melodies of a 6 string tuning and give you a lot more chords. My tab pages show some Hank Williams tabs and the C6th tuning with both the C and the C# on the bottom. I have played the 6,8 and 12 string lap steel tunings and feel that the advice given by others above to start with 8 strings is right on the money.

Greg

The Steel Guitar Forum's own Roy Thompson has some great six string instruction and tabs including Hank Williams. You'll find him here- Roy that is, not Hank.
http://www.clictab.com/RoyT/Roy_Thomson ... ourses.htm

Jude

I've been playing a 7 string that I built. It's a nice compromise. If you like the 6-string spacing, it's great and the extra string lets you get a full C6 (leaving off the low 6)or extend the E tuning. I've been playing around with 5-1-2-3-5-1-3 that mimics the E9 pretty well.