The Steel Guitar Forum

I had some spare time while sitting in the airport the other day and started putting a spreadsheet together that compares the Buddy Emmons set-up as it relates to the notes played on a keyboard. The keyboard was laid out and the each note from the copedant was placed on the spreadsheet. The sharp/flat notes were put above of the keyboard and the non sharp/flat notes below the keyboard. What was revealed was astonishing.

For an example: note A above the middle C on the keyboard can only be played at that particular location. Using the Buddy Emmons copedant, that same note can be played in 25 locations on the E9th neck. Below are the locations. The first number is the string, the second is the location (fret), and the 3ed, if there is one, is the leaver and/or pedals.

1 – 3
2 – 6
3 – 1
4 – 5
5 – 10
6 – 13
7 – 15
8 – 17
9 – 19
10 – 22
1 – 2 – RKL
2 – 7 - .5 RKR
2 – 8 – 1 RKR
3 – 0 – B
4 – 3 – C
4 – 4 – LKL
4 – 6 – LKR
5 – 8 – A
5 – 8 – C
6 – 12 – B
6 – 14 – RKL
8 – 16 – LKL
8 – 18 – LKR
9 – 20 – RKR
10 – 20 – A


This might be old news, but it opened my eyes and is showing me just how complicated this instrument can be. If you would like a copy of the spreadsheet send me an e-mail here on the form and I will send it out.

I've known for from early on that the white keys where somewhat like (PSG open) black keys somewhat (PSG pedals or levers). But this does not hold true completely across the neck and with every pedal and lever in the open E9 position.
Is this some kind of new E9 tuning that is truly like the white and black keys on a keyboard?
I really don't understand the example?

Bo Legg wrote: I really don't understand the example?

I think his point is: where as there is only one place (key) where you can play the A above middle C on piano, that same note can be played @ 25 different places on Buddy's tuning

Thanks Tony for pointing that out.
Pat sorry I skipped the second paragraph. I read the first paragraph and went right to the example. As usual I was talking when I should have been listening.

Tony thanks for setting Bo straight.
Bo, no apology needed. I have followed yours and Stuart’s post many times. I do not post much on the forum.
One thing I use this spreadsheet for is to take tabs and break them down and list the cords the player is using. I have had my PSG for just less than 1 year. I have to travel quite a bit with my work. When I can drive it take my PSG and Nashville 112 amp and set them up in the hotel room and try and practice. It is difficult working 12 to 13 hours a day 7 days a week.