The Steel Guitar Forum

I haven't had my Universal guitar very long, but I can already tell it is the best guitar I have ever had. Not only is the quality/tone/workmanship great, but the universal tuning is the way to go. There are lots of good things about this type of guitar.

They are lighter than a double neck guitar.
No switching from one neck to another.
Everything you need in just about any type of song is right there in front of you on one neck. I'm sure some of you guys that have been playing one longer than me can come up with even more reasons to play a universal.

So, why isn't everyone playing one of these types of guitars? Inquiring minds want to know!

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Zum U-12 w/True Tone pickup
G&L guitars
Peavey Nashville 112

Band Pics
http://community.webshots.com/album/176544894AuXSmi

4 reasons.
the fall of the market
the fall big time of the dollar
Not wanting to sell my D-10 Sho-Bud to do it.

The one or two I would want ,set up like I would want,
are quite expensive too.

Hey Mark, I play a form of U-12 myself but I drop the low B and put a C# note in the 9th position. I played the regular E9/B6 for a lot of years but went to my current copedant a couple of years ago and have never been happier. I think a lot of why some folks don't play a universal is that they're used to playing a D-10 so why change. Also, there's that "D" string fixation which many can't overcome and myself being one of them. Although I didn't have the D on string 9 for a long time, I still missed it but now I just hit my LKR and it's right back where it's supposed to be. With the exception of maybe Joe Wright, and the late Jeff Newman, all the top drawer steelers go the D-10 route and that's what they should do. My personal favorite steel player is Ralph Mooney but he's in a category all by himself. It'd have to be Jernigan, Emmons, Franklin, Rugg, & Myrick after that and they're all D-10 players. I'd cut off my left..........little toe to be able to play like any one of 'em. There are some Uni players who come in from the 6th side like Maurice Anderson and Junior Knight and they're awesome to say the least. It's just personal preference for most but for me I'm like you, I like to try to get it all on one neck but I'm more country than most and don't really like Jazz but if I did, I'd probably go the D-10 route as I think it'd be more efficient to play those types of music on a neck dedicated to the 6th tuning without having to hold a knee lever in. There are changelocks but I think if you go that route you might as well have a double neck. The thing about a Uni if you can go from one style to the next in the middle of a ride.....Have a good 'un, JH

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Livin' in the Past and Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.

Personal preference, that doesn't make me a bad person does it?

Chris, I'll love you no matter what kind of tuning you choose!

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Zum U-12 w/True Tone pickup
G&L guitars
Peavey Nashville 112

Band Pics
http://community.webshots.com/album/176544894AuXSmi

Jerry has the same thoughts that I have. The only reason I considered going back to a double neck was the fact that I had to raise the 9th string with the LKL lever, in order to get that 7th chord that I use so much. I did a little tweaking and modifying that lever to get it closer to my leg. I use the "Day setup" which puts my leg farther away from the LKL when using the A/B pedals. I give credit to Johnny Barham for helping me solve this problem.
I do have a B6 lock on my Marlen and use it to keep my leg from tiring when playing a complete song in B6.............JD

Mark you are being practical, and I agree with you. However, steel guitar player are traditionalists, and resistant to change but not changers. They are gadget freaks, and the desire for more pedals and knee levers and strings is appealing. At the same time, they worship the simplicity of Mr. Green. But ask him to give up the pad. No way.

Look at the debate between keyed and keyless. There are innumerable reasons why keyless seems better, yet the resistance to change is huge. There are arguments about looks, tone, and "just doesn't feel right".

How about size? It would make sense to carry your guitar in a case that is not much bigger than a Sax. But some put that in an Anvil Case, to make sure the whole thing weighs 100 lbs. After all some double pack the amps, Pack-Seats and whatever else they have. I think this is a ploy by some to leave the stage last and not help carry the PA equipment out, or to keep an eye on whoever books the gigs; protecting their share of the pay or whatever.

Then there is the word Universal. Folks in this country of "individuals" are opposed to the word. It might as well be called "communist".

All of the qualities you mention are true. So we loyal Universalists will trudge on. We have a special knowledge. It’s like owing a Mac,a BMW or a Leica and being in Texas. If the others cannot see the light, then too bad.

Merry Xmas

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Jon Jaffe

Good one Jon!

That cracked me up! But there is truth in the humor, isn't there.

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Zum U-12 w/True Tone pickup
G&L guitars
Peavey Nashville 112

Band Pics
http://community.webshots.com/album/176544894AuXSmi

I like to experiment with different setups.
On a D-10 I can alter one tuning with affecting the other.

(and all the above reasons, too)

"Universal Loyalist!? "

Joey, don't hate me because I'm now a Universalist!

I switched from a D10/8&5 that I had been playing for 30 some yrs. to a Carter SU12/7&5 2 months age. I pondered this change for a long time but finally did it. I like challanges, I must be nuts, especially when it comes to pedal steel. My knee levers are different, the last 4 pedals on B6 are different, only one, the 4th pedal used to be my 8th. The D string is no longer where it used to be but get it with knee lever. Sitting at a single neck is alot different than sitting at a double neck, everything is closer to you. But all in all. I really like the Uni. I've played lead guitar for more yrs. than I like to admit. On the Uni. I like being able to get the lower register on the E9 and not having to flip a switch to go from neck to neck in one song. You just have sit there and get used to the changes and practice, practice, practice.

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Ed Prosser
Carter U/12, Nashville 112, Hilton Me262-B

Mark, I had a Universal guitar several years ago and I sold it. I wanted to go back to a Double 10. There have been a few changes in the last 15 years or so concerning pedal and lever pulls. I missed the 9th string that the E9th tuning has. The Universal I had did not have that string nor did it have a lever to pull to that note. The 10th string became the 9th string and the last three were setup like the last three on the C6th, therefore making the 6th tuning a B6th. I also had to hold the lever in that dropped the E notes to play the B6th tuning. I do not knock anyone for what they play and I realize you are not knocking anyone either, but the Universal has just not taken off like some thought it would. As far as weight, the Universal is lighter but I do not move mine enough to even complain about a weight problem. I look at one other thing and this is just my opinion, but most of the big name players still play a Double 10 even though some have tried the Universal tuning. The Universal tuning is a great concept and really I am surprised it has not taken off. I know Reece Anderson has played one for years, but he is the only one I can think of that has stuck with one that is a big name player. I guess it is just a matter of preference. I wish you much success with your new rig and hope it brings you as much joy playing as the steel guitar has brought me for 25 years.

Jon you are right on brother. there are a lot of good reason to play a uni. but the main one is because it makes you happy in your playing. But we are a traditionalist community aren't we. I play both but I started on Uni and will never regret the training it gave me. When I bought a D-10 it was really no big deal going to a C6th tuning. I was told years ago by a great teacher that uni was the way to go but the mainstream would never let it progress in a way it deserves. there are a lot of issues and it would be redundant to bring them up again so I won't. Just be happy in what you play no matter what your tuning. "Size don't matter but ability does!" enough said
DON'T FORGET MY UNI BOOK COMING IN JANUARY!!!

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Steelin' away in the ozarks and life,
Scott
www.scottyhenderson.com

Scotty, I will want a copy of that book when it is ready.

1. Intonation: To many compromises with the U12 because of the mulitple functions of each lever.
2. Tone: D10's sound better to my ear.
3. Flexability: I can experiment with one tuning without screwing up the other. I have so many more options with 20 strings that I find more easy to play new and non-traditional music on the D10.
4. Simplicity: On a D10 I look down at the neck and it is all layed out. The U12 involves thinking in a couple extra layers for me.
5. Weight: The weight difference between a D10 and a U12 from the same builder is about 4 to 5 LBS. With a U12 on a full frame the difference is nothing.

I played a U12 for 5 years before I even owned a D10. Once I started bumping into some deeper professional and creative demands the U12 did not cut it in my case. I personally find the U12's design (at least the E9/B6 tuning. The Bb6 looks sorta cool to me. ) to be primarily to replicate the more typical roles of of the E9 and C6 tuning without the flexability,sound or depth of either.

Its like with a D10 you have a quick little sports car or a pickup truck to use depending on your needs. With a U12 you have a mini van.

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Bob
intonation help

I would like to have a U12 for sure, but can't afford one in the foreseeable future. I do however have a D12 10+6 that I've extended and tweeked so far, that it's almost like having 2 universals. Heavy? Yes, but now more than ever I'm not so sure that I'd be happy with just one tuning.

Bob,
As far as you have come in the steel world since your first go round with an S12U, I would like to see you sit down at a pro model S12U and lett'er rip!
I bet if you had one to kick around on you would be impressed with what you could do on an S12U with your current playing abilities and copedant knowledge.
Just a thought.
FWIW, For me, the S12U is the 'Vette of the industry, with the D10 being the 18 wheeler.
Pete B.

If I had the spare cash, I'd seriously consider having a 'universal' of some kind sitting around at home so I could explore its possibilities.

But I couldn't even consider making a sudden switch - I know my way around on the D10, and this is how I make my living. It would mean quitting for maybe a matter of months while I assimmilated all the differences in the 'new' tuning, and I've yet to be convinced that I'd be better off with a U12. I've heard 'uni' players accomplish similar stuff to a D10 on their guitars, but I haven't heard them play anything that can't be acheived on a D10!

The weight issue is a minor one - a 12-string is still heavy, right? Anyway, I've long since switched to a two-piece case, so that problem's dealt with.

I'd like to experiment with an extended E9 for those low notes(I enjoy tinkering) but I don't see that I'd gain much over my present choice.

RR<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Roger Rettig on 22 December 2004 at 10:05 AM.]</p></FONT>

I just made the change to a S12U from playing D-10s for 15 years. I wish I would have started on the S12U a long time ago. The only difference is the two extra strings. All the changes and pulls I have on my D-10 are the S12U.

Happy Holidays.

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Dave Zirbel-
ZB Custom D-10 8 x 5, S-12U Kline 7 x6, Dobro Cyclops reissue, 1967 Fender Telecaster, Webb 6-14E, Fender Super Reverb
The Mother Truckers
The Cowlicks

I'm happy you are pleased with your universal. But personally, I wouldn't have one.

Most of my reasons why I don't like them are the same as Bob's, and in addition, maintaining proper intonation is somewhat more difficult.

Interesting thread. I started on a Maverick, and hated it. It sat in a closet for a while until I got a pro steel. I've almost always had 12 strings, lately I've been wishing I had a d10 to try for a while. I will not trade my Zum for one, in case I don't like it at all, so it probably will not happen.

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Howard, 'Les Paul Recording, Zum S12U, Vegas 400, Boss ME-5, Boss DM-3
http://www.Charmedmusic.com

(deleted)<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jim Cohen on 23 December 2004 at 09:13 AM.]</p></FONT>

Well, as Mark Twain said this is what makes horse races.
Bob, you are absolutely right. Over the past 25 years I have run out of notes and combinations. I am tired of hearing my son say “cool” when I sit in with his "Death Metal” band, because the Universal will not make any new sounds. I also hate the fact that my entire rig will fit in a Miata. And I believe that you have pointed out yourself that intonation is a psychomotor skill that can be practiced (and mastered with the right CD). However, I am not certain about the automobile analogy. What is there in a doubleneck that is small and agile like a sports car? To those of us who embrace the universal concept, the doubleneck is like an Escalade with a brush guard, nerfbars and a winch; all extras that are nice, but just not needed.

So far in my steel journey, I really enjoy the discreet characteristics of each neck on the D10. It IS more to learn, but each tuning has it's own unique logic. In a way, it is like learning two different instruments, maybe like baritone and tenor sax...the notes are in different places, but the physical approach is almost the same.

I also really like the ability of adding changes without affecting the other neck.

I can see the strengths of the various uni setups, but I feel like there is no compromise with an extended D10.

YMMV should be included on every post in this Forum!



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http://www.johnmcgann.com
Info for musicians, transcribers, technique tips and fun stuff. Joaquin Murphey transcription book, Rhythm Tuneup DVD and more...

In my opinion (having been there, done that), Jeff Newman and Joe Wright have all the S12U instructional material a person would need to get the show on the road for a new player on an S12U. Further, I think the expierienced D10 players are underestimating themselves, as I believe they would be able to sit down at an S12U and immediatly wail on it! Having 6 string non-pedal, 8 string Fender 400, 10 string ShoBud Pro-1, and at least one S12U set up in my basement at most all times, I assure you expierienced players, you would adjust to the extra strings, string spacing, intonation, (insert any and all negatives you forsee) in a matter of minutes to a few hours at most. I would say you could gig on an S12U tonight if you had one in front of you this afternoon for a few hours. I sit in on D10's fairly regulalry, so I can't imagine you would be any more uncomfortable than me. Like any new endeavor, approach it with total confidence, and the skill to back it up, and you'll be jammin'! With that said, I certainly respect your decisions to pass on the S12U.