The Steel Guitar Forum

I know this is a dumb question, but as I am getting forgetful in my old age, I forgot the tuning on a dobro, can anyone out there help me out. (it might be old timers)...
telecat

Most common, low to high--
G B D G B D

Better yet, though, IMNSHO, from low to high:

D A D F# A D

It give you three roots including a root on top and generally gives you better access to all kinds of styles including bluegrass--though almost all of bluegrass dobro has been in G tuning.

Pete--Is that the traditional Weissenborn tuning?

If you are not a bluegrass player, use Brother Oswald's tuning top to bottom E C# A E C# A>

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For fun, tune up to the standard Dobro tuning (GBDGBD low to high), then tune the third string down a half-step to F# (GBDF#BD) and you'll get some nice Hawaiian sounds (avoid the low G though). This is tuning gives you a D6th chord (minus the fifth tone (A).

Works good for Hawaiian tunes like "Hula Blues".

Or you could use the D tuning Pete Grant mentioned and (DADF#AD) and tune the second string up to B for the same effect.

-Bill
-Bill

Pete - Does this tuning require different weight strings for reso than the usual (for
me) FT-13 or .18 -.56? Have tried tuning my Reed down to E version of 'standard' G tuning, but lose some response and volume. Is this the ususal using the "G" strings?"
Thanks
Dave Stehman

CC, same question as above, do you recommend different gauge strings for this open A tuning?
Also, why do you think it would be better than open G? Is it because of the better positioning of the A and E chords?