The Steel Guitar Forum

A C# E G A C E (7 string)
C# E G A C E (6 string)

Does anybody else use this tuning?

I've been playing it tuned down to G7 + Bb6. G B D F G Bb D and really like it for blues. But I can see that it has big potential to expand out of my blues "comfort zone" too.

I use that 6 string version. I almost always have C# on the bottom, but the will occasionally tune the A to Bb or B as well.

I used it on my recording of West Coast Blues.

Mike Neer wrote:I used it on my recording of West Coast Blues.

Cool. 6, 7, or 8 strings?

6 strings. The whole record was recorded with the Rickenbacher BD6

I use it ... along with JB's E9

Hi to lo ... E B G# F# E D

Same string gauges

That's what I keep my 6 string tuned to. I really love it. It's an easy change up from my usual C13 on 8 strings.

My favorite thing about this tuning is how quickly is switches between itself and regular C6. I use it on some songs and C6 on others. It's a 7 second adjustment if that.

edit: I should note that I actually use G6 on a longer scale 8-string.

I use it occasionally, particularly when my teacher gives me an arrangement in C6/A7 (I learn from Alan Akaka so I'm a bit of Jerry Byrd's "grandstudent"). On 8 string I take the low C all the way down to a deep low A...its a .070 gauge so it works OK with long scale.

Nic Neufeld wrote:I use it occasionally, particularly when my teacher gives me an arrangement in C6/A7 (I learn from Alan Akaka so I'm a bit of Jerry Byrd's "grandstudent"). On 8 string I take the low C all the way down to a deep low A...its a .070 gauge so it works OK with long scale.

That sounds cool. The 8 string version I see online is A C C# E G A C E, but that only uses the standard 50 something A string. What does your version look like to get an octave lower?

Jerry Byrd played the C6/A7 tuning with 7 strings, the 7th string being C, a 1/2 step below C#.

C C# E G A C E

Mike Neer wrote:Jerry Byrd played the C6/A7 tuning with 7 strings, the 7th string being C, a 1/2 step below C#.

C C# E G A C E

Mike, I've found several references online to that 7 string version, as well as to the 7 string version that I use, A C# E G A C E (or in my case G B D F G Bb D). 8 strings consistently mentioned as A C C# E G A C E.

It would be great if someone who knew him could jump in and confirm (or not) that he used both 7 string tunings.

Chris Scruggs uses it. Kayton Roberts used it. I try to use it. The Jerry Byrd Big Book has a ton of good material on this tuning.

That's the tuning (8 or 10 strings) I use when I play dobro or lap steel, which is about once a year.

I use the Byrd variation occasionally. For the right song, it's a handy tuning change.

Does anyone else tune down to G7/Bb6?

I like it because I think of it as Gm7/G7 for blues, with the option of Bb6 for other things.

Allan Revich wrote:Does anyone else tune down to G7/Bb6?

I have a couple of 6-strings (an Ultratone and a BR-9) set up for G6 -- exact same intervals as common C6, only lower.
A great setup for playing rock and blues in the key of A.

C6/A7 is a really good tuning especially for those 6 string players who are in C6 tuning. An easy 1/2 step tune between both tunings. I noticed a Wayne Tanner video a few years back where he demonstrates the effectiveness of this tuning. It is well worth watching this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFSA3ZzD5G8

Allan Revich wrote: That sounds cool. The 8 string version I see online is A C C# E G A C E, but that only uses the standard 50 something A string. What does your version look like to get an octave lower?

Yeah, I think that's the Jerry Byrd 7 or 8 string version you're mentioning where he has both the C and C# available...it's not "strummable" (which is fine, just needs more right hand discipline and I'm sure JB had plenty of that). The version I usually retune to doesn't include the C and is more of a true split where the top strings are C6 and the bottom strings are A7. I'm retuning from JAS C13 mostly so all I have to do is sharp the 6th string a half step, drop the Bb to A, and drop the LOW C to A. You could sharp it to C# but I like having the deeper root.
A A C# E G A C E

[quote="...... The Jerry Byrd Big Book has a ton of good material on this tuning.[/quote]

What is the Jerry Byrd "Big Book" ? Can you post a photo of the cover?

Thanks!

What is the Jerry Byrd "Big Book" ? Can you post a photo of the cover?

It's a 334 page compilation of Jerry's two previous books plus some additional material. Compiled and sold by Scotty’s Music several years ago. The family may still be selling it…?

Rick Aiello wrote:I use it ... along with JB's E9

Hi to lo ... E B G# F# E D

Which is the same as strings 4 thru 9 on most E9th pedal steel guitars.

I use the Byrd E9th too and have done a number of arrangements using it.

Doug Beaumier wrote:

What is the Jerry Byrd "Big Book" ? Can you post a photo of the cover?

It's a 334 page compilation of Jerry's two previous books plus some additional material. Compiled and sold by Scotty’s Music several years ago. The family may still be selling it…?

...snip...

Thanks Doug. That helps me a lot. I will check it out.


EDIT: I emailed Scotty's. Let's see if they respond.

Michael Scott replied today and I am in the process of ordering Jerry's book.