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Topic: Open G to Open C6 |
Paul Handley
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Posted 24 Mar 2021 2:08 am |
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Hi!
The strings that came with my SX 3 LS were for Open G. Can I retune to Open C6 without fear of breakage?
Thanks,
Paul |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 24 Mar 2021 3:06 am
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| Possible, but unlikely. Spring for a new set of strings and the Georgeboards conversion kit. |
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Nic Neufeld
From:
Kansas City, Missouri
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Posted 24 Mar 2021 9:34 am
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I thought the Georgeboards conversion kit was for the Rogue lap steel, that is 21" scale length? Looks like the SX 3 model is already 22.75" scale...
But yeah, if they are actual open G tuning strings (or standard EADGBE even) you want to get a new set to go to C6, the intervals are much closer so the string gauges are not terribly interchangeable. You're unlikely to find those strings in a local guitar shop (unless you assemble a set custom from loose strings) but you can find them pretty readily online (make sure not to buy the -pedal- C6 strings or you'll be getting more than you need).
_________________
Waikīkī, at night when the shadows are falling
I hear the rolling surf calling
Calling and calling to me |
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Paul Handley
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Posted 25 Mar 2021 12:49 pm
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| Nic are you saying that I CAN retune the Open G strings that came with my SX 3 to C6? |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 25 Mar 2021 1:02 pm
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The string gauges for C6 tuning are pitched much higher in the bass notes than those for open G tuning.
| Code: |
C6 G
=====
E D
C B
A G
G D
E B
C G
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You could tune the top string down from E to D, the second string down from C to B, the third string down from A to G, no problem. Tuning the fourth string from G to D, the fifth string from E to B, and the sixth string from C to G will not give you good results.
Either tune your open G strings to A6 or buy two sets of strings.
_________________
Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
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Stephen Cowell
From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
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Posted 25 Mar 2021 1:11 pm
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| Paul Handley wrote: |
| Nic are you saying that I CAN retune the Open G strings that came with my SX 3 to C6? |
No. GBDGBD cannot go to CEGACE... the lowest three strings are problematic... G is a fourth below C, B is a fourth below E, D is a fourth below G. You might be able to squeeze A6... A C# E G# A C... the low strings go up a step at most. Or G6... G B D E G B... take off the top three and put a .022 plain on for the E, move the other two up. Of course you couldn't do the same with the lower course for C6, since the strings get shorter with 3-on-a-side.
Best is just to buy some strings and try it... you might not like it... it takes you from Dobro-land to lapsteel-land in a hurry.
_________________
Too much junk to list... always getting more. |
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Nic Neufeld
From:
Kansas City, Missouri
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Posted 25 Mar 2021 1:31 pm
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Yes, sorry if I was unclear, but as others state you should not try to tune open G strings up to C6...tension would be way too high for those gauges.
_________________
Waikīkī, at night when the shadows are falling
I hear the rolling surf calling
Calling and calling to me |
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Paul Handley
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Posted 25 Mar 2021 2:12 pm
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OK Gotcha! Thanks. I was intending to order a C6 set from Amazon anyway, just wanted to try it out first. Don't want to ruin my LS though. I've never changed strings in a guitar before, I'm just a little nervous.
Do you think my local store would be able to change the strings on a lap steel? I know they don't carry them. |
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Nic Neufeld
From:
Kansas City, Missouri
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Posted 25 Mar 2021 2:29 pm
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| Paul Handley wrote: |
Do you think my local store would be able to change the strings on a lap steel? I know they don't carry them. |
Easiest way there, if you don't want to wait for ordering strings, would be to patch together a set either from spares they have on hand, or from a combination of an existing conventional guitar set plus some spares to fill in the gaps.
Using a commercially available C6 set as a reference...SIT C6:
.015, .018, .022, .024, .030, .036
Or John Pearse C6:
.015, .017, .020, .024, .030, .034
Then picking a set of regular guitar strings that match up to at least several of those gauges and see if the shop has a bin of loose strings that you could find the missing ones in. You've got some leeway there so you don't have to be spot on.
_________________
Waikīkī, at night when the shadows are falling
I hear the rolling surf calling
Calling and calling to me |
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Allan Revich
From:
Victoria, BC
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Posted 25 Mar 2021 3:42 pm
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| Paul Handley wrote: |
OK Gotcha! Thanks. I was intending to order a C6 set from Amazon anyway, just wanted to try it out first. Don't want to ruin my LS though. I've never changed strings in a guitar before, I'm just a little nervous.
Do you think my local store would be able to change the strings on a lap steel? I know they don't carry them. |
Paul, you’re going to want to change your own strings. Get either a clip-on tuner or a tuner pedal though. And a wire clipper to clip off the long string ends. It also helps to do one string at a time instead of all six at once. This will also make it easier to avoid tuning an octave too high. Lap steels are pretty sturdy. You’re more likely to break strings than to damage the guitar.
Here is what it should sound like:
https://youtu.be/Y-wg4NzMFm4
Basic string changes
https://youtu.be/uqWyiIQr1e4
_________________
Current Tunings:
6 String | G6 – e G D G B D
7 String | G6 – e G B D G B D
https://papadafoe.com/lap-steel-tuning-database |
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