Quick question about stringing up a Doubleneck

[Steve Green]

I've just taken delivery of my first double neck steel. It's a Remington Steelmaster D8. I intend on tuning one neck to A6, and the other neck to E13.

I'll probably use the A6 for most everything, and reserve the E13 for the Hank Sr. stuff.

My question is, do most people put the "Most Used" tuning on the neck nearest the player, or the neck farthest from the player?

Thanks.

[Ron Whitfield]

You might consider that very often the two necks on any given dbl. can sound different, the outside usually being the better sounding. Experimenting with the tunings might show which necks you prefer.

[Billy Tonnesen]

You will probably be using similar guage strings on both necks. They should sound pretty much alike. IMHO do not use the E13th neck just for the Hank Williams (Don Helms) sounds. The E13th is a great tuning for a multiple of other styles and sounds including Western Swing, Hawaiian, Pop Standards, etc.

[Charles Kleinert]

Hi Steve:

Congratulations one your new Remington, I too have a Steelmaster D8 and love it; I put my A6 on the inside and E13 with a high G# on the outside, you will probably use string guages like a Hi C6 on the E13 neck;

chuck

[Jack Aldrich]

I have C13 on the neck nearest to ma and B11 on the other one. I use the C tuning most. Jerry Byrd did the opposite - C6 on the far neck, B11 on the near one.

[Paul Seager]

You might consider that very often the two necks on any given dbl. can sound different, the outside usually being the better sounding. Experimenting with the tunings might show which necks you prefer.

Ron, you're right. On my new twin neck Ricky, the outer neck sounds not only fuller but also a heck of a lot louder - why is that; more mass of wood underneath it?

Anyway I'm glad of the general question because I'm trying to figure out whether to make outer or inner my main. I think it depends of your comfort postion. I have little experience of other tunings ouside of C6 so I am also experimenting. I tried B11 and quickly realised why its both favoured or considered an acquired taste!
My first steel was tuned E7 which I found ... well boring but I should probably revist now that I'm older and steel wiser!

[Ron Whitfield]

The extra mass is about all I've been able to figure, as far as the fuller sound, but much louder isn't as common, usually just slightly bigger. Having one neck significantly louder would be much more of a concern.