Use 8 strings on a 10 string console?

Jim Rossen · From: Iowa, USA

How would the pictured 10 string console work strung with 8 strings with C6 tuning for a novice learning to play western swing? Would one use the center 8 tuners or 8 to the side?

Thanks

Wayne D. Clark · From: Montello Wisconsin, USA

Dina, I play an 8 sting, but if I had a 10 string frame, I would probably string it like an 8 string leaving the two bottom slots open. Good Luck, Nice insterment.

Ron Whitfield · From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA

It doesn't matter a lick except what feels and is visually most confortable to you.

Jeff Strouse · From: Jacksonville, Florida, USA

I used posts 2-9 on my 10 string for a long time.

Your eyes don't see as big of a 'gap' otherwise...like you would when two adjacent strings are not there. The gap doesn't affect playing, it's just a visual thing...my brain kept thinking something looked missing. Not so much if when I left off the bottom (strings 9&10), but if I left 1&2 off, it looked strange...to me. But either way would work fine.

Herb Steiner · From: Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064

There is so much more available with a full 10-string capability, why would you only want to restrict yourself to 8 strings?
_________________
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.

Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg?

Don Barnhardt · From: North Carolina, USA

Amen Herb

Jim Rossen · From: Iowa, USA

I was planning to use 8 strings because I want to play western swing and the Cashdollar instructional stuff uses 8 strings.
BTW- Any opinions about the quality and suitability of the guitar in the photo for a novice? Who made it?

Danny James · From: Summerfield Florida USA

If the guitar was originally set up for an E9th tuning and it has gauged nut rollers the placement of the strings might make some difference when going to a C6 tuning I would think, especially with bar placement down at the first fret. You then might need to at least re-arrange the sequence of the nut rollers on the shaft.

Jeff Strouse · From: Jacksonville, Florida, USA

If I were you, I'd try to find someone to make you a 10 string lap steel. You can always add leg sockets. The string spacing is tighter on a pedal steel, and if you're going to play non-pedal style with slants, you might not be as happy with it...especially slants on adjacent strings.

When I first got my 10 stringer, it was the pedal spacing, so I had to have a new nut and bridge made, which turned out to be a bigger hassle than it should have been. I put 8 strings on for awhile, until I decided what to put on the other two. I still mostly play on strings 2-9.

D (tone between strings 3 & 4)
G
E
C
A
G
E
C
A (or Bb)
F (or G/C when string 9 is Bb)

Anyway, as a novice, I'd think you'd rather have a guitar you can play right out of the box, than get one you'd have to make a bunch of changes and adjustments to. You'll enjoy it more. You also won't be able to play that pedal steel in your lap, assuming you might want to sometime.

Cindy's C6 on her video is:

G
E
C
A
G
E
C
A

Even if you found an inexpensive 8 string to get started with, I'm sure you'd have a lot of fun with it, and that tuning will keep you busy for a long time. Most all the meat and potatoes of steel playing is done on those 8 strings.

Then you could keep your eyes peeled for when the "right" 10 string comes along for you.

Just my two cents. Good luck! Smile

Rick Winfield · From: Pickin' beneath the Palmettos

You can tune the top 8 strings to accomodate Cindy's tuning, and add the #9 F, and #10 C.
Eventually, you'll find yourself using them.
Just MHO
Rick

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