The Steel Guitar Forum

would you have to do a bunch of re-adjusting to put a whole set of fatter strings on?
I want to fatten up my sound, I seem to be gravitating to a slide guitar or lap steel type of style of playing (with pedals), and the E9 strings sound a bit thin...

Have you tried just tuning down the same sets? I only play "C"6th, but I find that tuning the same strings down to Bb gives me a much stringier, less shiny-robot sound. And I never break 'em anymore....

You'll also definitely want to use a wound 6th if you're not already.

My first Pedal Steel was a Sahara that was built by a local builder here in Lubbock. It would't tune up to E9 without breaking strings so it was tuned to D9. That was about 1970..

Tim, I would try going up one or two gages and see how it plays. You will have to do some re-adjusting of pedal travel but it will give you a fatter sound. Stevie Ray Vaughn always tuned down for the same reason.. It will be interesting to see how it works for you.. Good luck...

I've been playing D6th for the past two years. I have the E9th A+B pedals on it. I like the darker timbre - I think it sounds better for folk and Americana. These gauges would work for D9th:
[tab]E .014
C# .017
F# .013
D .015
A .020p
F# .026w
E .030
D .034
C .038
A .042
[/tab]
If you currently use a plain 6th string, you'll probably need to adjust the rod position on your B pedal for a longer pull. Other than that, I think it will be a simple retuning of the pedals.

Thanks for the tips, everybody!

I also play a D9th tuning. Mine is a standard E9th set of strings just tuned down. My strings are the standard 13,15,11,14,17,20w,26,32,34,36. Dave & Bob are right about Never breaking strings and the sound a bit darker. The sound I guess I would call a bit "stringier". You will be amazed at how easy your pedals work. Just touch them and they are there. You will inherently develop a much lighter touch to pull this off however, as I run my guitar very hot, volume pedal wise. Also, trying it out without changing your standard string set you can find out if you like it without having to change strings twice if ya don't. Best of luck in whatever method you choose. Zeke

get a universal 12

Dropping down a whole step shouldn't be a problem.
I did it a long time ago just to see if there was any advantage. I was "More" of a newbie and playing a lot of stuff in the key of E. I had problems playing in the low open position without the bar. The wound 6th string will help preserve resonance and sustain when you drop down a whole.

I wouldn't use E9th gauges for D9th. When strings aren't tight, it's harder to play in tune. Also, thicker gauges sound better.

My first from Scotty was a Fender single neck with eight strings, three pedals and tuned in D9th. - 1969 - fond memories -