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Topic: Popular Weissenborn tunings & their string gauges |
Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 17 Dec 2016 8:32 am |
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I am currently resurrecting a circa 1922 Style 1 that's labeled "Maui Maid." It's been in storage since the 1980s. I have finally located its original tuners and bridge pins; just need to cut a new nut and it'll be ready to string up. Here is a link to a previous post on this instrument:
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=265246&highlight=maui+maid
What tuning(s) are most popular with you Weissenborn fanatics, and what type and gauge strings would you recommend? I use a stainless Latch Lake (aka Broz-O-Phonic) bar. I tune my tri-cone to high-bass A, and my 6-string lap steels to C6 and A6 (both with Es on top), and E6 (with a G# on top).
What would really toot my whistle is a set gauged appropriately for multiple tunings, and especially at least one "6th" tuning.
Suggestions? Comments? Anything unusual to be aware of? |
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Mark Evans
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 17 Dec 2016 10:59 am
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John Pearse makes sets for Weissenborn. I use them exclusively - although I have tried some others.
On my Pogrebas, I use a set with a .060 as the low string and something like a .015 as the high (3160L)
http://www.juststrings.com/johnpearsehawaiianlapsteelguitar.html
The older Weissenborns might benefit by having slightly lighter strings due to their age - BUT... you will get a better sound with slightly heavier strings, and they won't sag under the steel.
I play in C (on my baritone) and in D and G on the standard scale (open E on my short scale). Then there easy to reach variants (D/Gminor and unison tunings. C6 - which is a popular hawaiian tuning, will require much lighter strings. I prefer the bluesy element of open G/D
I also prefer to use a tone bar (vs a bullet)
I'm sure some owners of vintage weiss's will chime in
MArk E in MAdison (we have snow!)
_________________
Larry Pogreba Baritone 'Weissenheimer
Late 30’s Oahu Tonemaster
Early 40’s Rickenbacker Ace
Asher Electro Hawaiian
Hermann Guitars style 1 Weissenborn
2017 Richard Wilson Style 1 Weissenborn |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 18 Dec 2016 10:09 am
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Thank you, Mark. That's precisely the information I was looking for. I have the new bone nut roughed out and I'm chompin' at the bit to string up this old relic; all I'm waiting on is a proper set of strings so I can fine tune and finish the new nut.
Do you use that Pearse 3160L set for both D and (low bass) G tunings? Seems that an .060 pitched at low D on a 25-inch scale may be somewhat on the taut side. I'm trying to avoid the installation of too heavy a string set on this 90-plus year-old instrument. I would hate to suffer an implosion/explosion. Not to mention the heartbreak of witnessing bits and pieces of flying koa orbiting my work room.
p.s. We had snow last week, but it was gone after a couple of days. After most of six decades in the frozen tundra, I'm diggin' the 50-plus degree days and sunshine of the upper Rio Grande valley, that's for sure. |
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Mark Evans
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 18 Dec 2016 10:39 am
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Jack:
I reckon starting with lighter strings can't hurt.
3140 and 3120 have low strings at 54 and 56.
Somewhere there is a string tension calculator. I've used this. Also somewhere (possibly at Resohangout.com) there is info on suggested total tension (something like 160 # or so). of course these are just starting points. Even with the .060 on the bottom, for standard open G and D, I was well below the threshold. Of course mine are not as old as yours.
Keep digging around, google, etc.
I'm sure that devil will sound awesome when strung up!
Mark
_________________
Larry Pogreba Baritone 'Weissenheimer
Late 30’s Oahu Tonemaster
Early 40’s Rickenbacker Ace
Asher Electro Hawaiian
Hermann Guitars style 1 Weissenborn
2017 Richard Wilson Style 1 Weissenborn |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 23 Dec 2016 1:33 pm
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| Mark Evans wrote: |
| I'm sure that devil will sound awesome when strung up! |
It sure does, Mark. I finished the nut and installed a hodge-podge set of ancient but never used strings (GHS, DeAngelico, Sho-Bud, Emmons) that are as close to the correct gauge as I had on the premises, and it sounds fantastic. Much better than with the wooden nut it came with. I have new strings on order, and can't wait to install them. I can't walk through the room and look at it sitting on the stand without running my thumb over the strings... it just sounds sooo nice... |
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