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Now I've done it !
Posted: 1 Nov 2011 5:32 pm
by Mitch Crane
I've aquired and sold a variety of 8 string steels just not getting comfortable out of my 6 string mindset...
So what did I do ? Triple my problem ! Just got this '58 T8 Stringmaster from the original owner ! It's pristine and sounds awesome !
I use C6 and B11, what shall I do with the 3rd neck ? Also, if C6 is my main neck, which one should that be ? Closest to me... middle etc ?
Posted: 1 Nov 2011 5:47 pm
by Steve Ahola
I'd suggest E9th: E-G#-B-D-F#-G#-B-E (lo to hi)
I think that it complements C6 very well- adding the dominant 7th chords and the tritones. You can raise the second string from B to C# to get the E13th tuning associated with Noel Boggs for a jazzier sound. Or you can lower the fourth string from F# to E to get the E7th tuning which works great for rock and blues- it's like the 6 string open E bottleneck tuning on steroids! So you can quickly switch from the straight ahead sounds of E7th, the hot and jazzy dominant sounds of E9th and the mellower jazzy sounds of E13th.
One big plus- Mike Neer has transcribed several songs using the E9th tuning to get you started.
Have fun with your T-8!
Steve Ahola
Posted: 1 Nov 2011 5:51 pm
by HowardR
Nice.....you don't see many 22 1/2" scale Stringmasters......
Posted: 1 Nov 2011 5:56 pm
by Mitch Crane
HowardR...Indeed...that's why I jumped on it. Short scale, original owner.. "I'll get over my 8 string phobia"
Posted: 1 Nov 2011 5:58 pm
by HowardR
Good thing it wasn't a quad.....
Posted: 1 Nov 2011 6:20 pm
by Mitch Crane
Yeah, yer right !
If I get used to this thing, the Fender Deluxe Dual 6 may go on the block.. Will have to feel REAL at home on the T8 before that would happen though.
Posted: 1 Nov 2011 6:53 pm
by Doug Beaumier
Wow, that's a clean Stringmaster triple... congrats Mitch! For a third tuning I would suggest E13 or E9. Between C6, B11, and E13 all the bases should be covered.
Posted: 1 Nov 2011 7:52 pm
by Hugh Holstein
You are going to be amazed on how fast you become used to the added strings, it feels weird at first, but then before you know it there's no turning back.
Nice T8 BTW.
Posted: 1 Nov 2011 9:04 pm
by Don Kona Woods
Mitch,
The following E13th tuning would be a nice additional tuning on your Stringmaster.
E
C#
B
G#
F#
D
G#
E
Aloha,
Don
Posted: 1 Nov 2011 10:20 pm
by Tom Pettingill
Thats a beauty ... they don't come much cleaner than that
Posted: 2 Nov 2011 4:43 am
by Mitch Crane
Thanks guys. So it looks like E something-or-other it shall be.
So what do you triple neck guys prefer as far as which neck gets tuned to what ? Your 'main' neck closest to you, furthest ?
Posted: 2 Nov 2011 4:52 am
by Mike Neer
Back neck (closest) = E9
Middle neck = C6
Front neck = ? experimental
Posted: 2 Nov 2011 7:21 am
by Mike Anderson
Well done Mitch! When I get past 6 strings myself, that's my dream instrument right there.
Multiple tunings from a single set of strings (C6/FM7)
Posted: 2 Nov 2011 5:38 pm
by Steve Ahola
One interesting variation on the standard 8 string C6th tuning is to lower the 8th string from G to F using a heavier gauge string. With the F on the bottom you get an F major 7th chord on the bottom 4 strings. I would call this variation the C6/FM7 tuning.
If you have only one neck you can retune C6/FM7 to a C13th tuning which has the same basic intervals as the Leon McAuliffe E13th tuning listed here by Don by retuning 3 strings. With C13th as compared to Leon's E13th you lose the root on the bottom but gain a 3rd on the top. In other words, add the 3rd on the top and move everything down one string notch (this is pitched 2 whole tones- 4 frets- than E13th.)
You can also retune the C6/FM7 tuning to E9th and to the Noel Boggs E13th, although either of those require that 7 notes be retuned. The same gauge strings should work for all 4 tunings, although you might want to use a slightly heavier string for the 5th string (the E in C6th).
Code: Select all
C6/FM7-> C13th ~ Leon's E13th (listed for reference only) *
1 E(3) E(3)
2 C(R) C(R) ~ R(E) 1
3 A(6) A(6) ~ 6(C#) 2
4 G(5) G(5) ~ 5(B) 3
5 E(3) E(3) ~ 3(G#) 4
6 C(R) ++D(9) ~ 9(F#) 5
7 A(6) +Bb(b7) ~ b7(D) 6
8 F(4) -E(3) ~ 3(G#) 7
R(E) 8
C6/FM7-> E9th --> Noel Boggs E13 **
1 E(3) E(R) E(R)
2 C(R) -B(5) +C#(6)
3 A(6) -G#(3) -G#(3)
4 G(5) -F#(9) -F#(9)
5 E(3) --D(b7) --D(b7)
6 C(R) -B(5) -B(5)
7 A(6) -G#(3) -G#(3)
8 F(4) -E(R) -E(R)
+ raise pitch 1 half tone (1 fret)
++ raise pitch 1 whole tone (2 frets)
- lower pitch 1 half tone (1 fret)
-- lower pitch 1 whole tone (2 frets)
* The C13th tuning in the top chart has basically the same intervals as the Leon McAuliffe E13th only everything is moved down one string, losing the root on the bottom and adding the 3rd on the top.
** The raised and lowered pitchs listed in the Noel Boggs E13th tuning are in reference to C6/FM7 and not E9th. To go from E9th to the Boggs E13th you only need to raise the second string one whole tone (2 frets) from B to C#.
To switch from C6/FM7 to either E9th or the Boggs E13 requires 7 strings to be retuned (not a quick change like E9th to the Boggs E13th) but the same string gauges should work for all 4 tunings listed in the chart. You might consider a slightly heavier gauge string for the 5th string (E) since for both E tunings you need to lower it 2 frets to D.
Steve Ahola
P.S. These alternate tunings are in addition to the A6 tuning which most people already know about.
Now I've Done It
Posted: 3 Nov 2011 4:41 am
by Barry Smart
Great triple steel Mitch.I'm sure you'll do justice to whichever neck and tuning you choose. If you like the E9 that has been suggested by Steve and Mike and you like Jerry Byrd stuff, Scotty's Music has some of Jerrys handwritten tab for quite a few nice tunes which Jerry had recorded in E9. Looking forward to hearing you play your triple 8 and getting it onto my ipod along with the other goodies you have posted in the past.Cheers
Barry S
From Down Under