I used to play a Fender Stringmaster D-8. It was set up for traditional country and western swing like this:
Front Neck E13 .013 F# .012 G# .015 E .018 C# .020p B .024w G# .034 E .036 D |
Back Neck A6 or C6 .015 E E .018 C# C .022p A A .026w F# G .034 E E .038 C# C .046 A A .054 F# G |
These days I’ve settled into D/G (D over G) tunings. My main 10-string pedal steel is tuned to D6/G, so keeping the non-pedal instruments tuned to the same notes helps me move from one instrument to another. The Stella album was recorded in D/G, which is also how I tune my 6-string resonator and electric lap steels. It’s actually just 2 notes different from the standard G Major Dobro tuning. My 8 string Sierra electric is tuned to D6/G, like the middle 8 strings of my pedal steel.
D/G for Dobro or Lap Steel D .016 .015 A .019p .018p F# .028w .026w D .036 .034 B .046 .038 G .056 .048 |
D6/G for 8 Strings .013 F# .015 D .018 B .020p A .026w F# .034 D .038 B .048 G |
On the squareneck reso, I use a dobro set and slack the 2nd and 3rd strings. On Stella and the electrics, I use the same gauges that I use on the pedal steel. Keeping it simple.
-Bobby Lee
Hi Bob,
I’m going to try you E9th tuning today.
Also like that D/G 6 string tuning so think I’ll set that up on my Chinese Fender lap steel. Looks like it’s actually a D6th/Gmaj9th combination. Should just about max out the possibilities for 6 strings.
Still like the A6th for my 8 string Clinesmith, but will have E13th on the next Clinesmith aluminum JM Model. Should get that in June.
If I find I don’t like the E13th then I’ll switch to E9/6th like I have on an old Morrell 8 string. Bottom up; E F# G# B E G# C# F#. For some tunes I drop the low E to D for the 7th. Lot’s of E9th pedal & knee lever sounds with slides into and out of slants.
Thanks,
Andy