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FROPPE
Akahai
USA
81 Posts |
 Posted - 07/13/2010 : 5:48:41 PM
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I have a Jerry Byrd Frypan 8-string, tuned in C6. The strings are tuned as follows, from high to low:
E
C
A
G
E
C
A
C
My question is, in order to achieve a C13 tuning, which would also give me dominant 7th capabilities, could I simply lower the 6th string (C) to Bb? Or, would it be better to lower either the 2nd or 8th string? I almost never use the 8th string anyway; but I'm afraid that would make that string just too low to sound right. Lowering the 2nd string would still allow me to have the root on the 6th string; but that would then jeopardize the relative minor on the top 3 strings, forcing the minor 3rd onto the 6th string.
Another thought would be to raise the 7th string to Bb, which I think may be the best solution.
Any thoughts and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Mahalo,
Ben Sterling, aka Froppe
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slipry1
Ha`aha`a
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2010 : 6:43:04 PM
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| Ben - your tuning is used by Alan Akaka, among others who like the low C on their C6 steels. Since I have a B11 on some of my steel necks, I use Bobby Ingano and Henry Allen's C tuning, top to bottom (G E C A G E C Bb), which gives you a diminished chord on the 3 low strings, a 7th chord on the 4 low strings, and a big, fat 13th across all strings. I use this tuning on the lower neck of my double 8 Stringmaster, on my single 8 Stringmaster, my Jerry Byrd Frypan and my 8 string Dobro. I have a B11 (Top to bottom, E C# A G# F# B F# B)on my top Stringmaster neck and (top to bottom E C# A G# F# B) on my 6 string Dobro. Note that it is easy on a 6 string instrument to switch between the B11 and the 6 string C6 (E C A G E Bb) without changing string guages. |
keaka |
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Adam Troy
Akahai
Australia
58 Posts |
Posted - 07/14/2010 : 12:14:26 PM
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| Froppe, Interesting you say you don't use the bottom string very much. I don't either. All these tunings are compromises and you have to choose the better one. I have considered using a lighter gauge on the bottom string to employ a more useful register, but I have not got around to trying it. I don't have any double neck instruments and use A6/B11 on single necks. I like the triad on top, but again about the best 7th is a reverse slant. Aloha |
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 07/14/2010 : 1:25:20 PM
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Just to stir the pot, I use Jerry Byrd's C6/A7 on my 8 string.
So (hi to low) G-E-C-A-G-E-C#-A
It's another way to get the dom7 chord & diminished thang going. Plus you've got I6-VI7-II-V7 and I-IV-V7 all within just a couple of frets.
I like having the 5th on top & I love that big old bass string sound, too.
Of course, I'm very much a beginner here.... who knows what'll happen after spending a week with Old Slippy Jack at an undisclosed location starting Friday? |
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noeau
Ha`aha`a
USA
1105 Posts |
Posted - 07/14/2010 : 4:03:26 PM
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| Watch it Mark jack no mo girl friend you know? |
No'eau, eia au he mea pa'ani wale nō. |
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 07/15/2010 : 08:30:52 AM
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| I'll pack heat. |
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Basil Henriques
Lokahi
United Kingdom
225 Posts |
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Basil Henriques
Lokahi
United Kingdom
225 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2011 : 3:13:35 PM
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Well Ben, you've had enough time to see how that works.. What do you think ?
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2182 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2011 : 5:12:23 PM
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| The miracle of the minor triad is enough to bring peals of rapture. |
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FROPPE
Akahai
USA
81 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2011 : 3:59:20 PM
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Basil,
I opted to go with what I originally thought would be best, and which you had also suggested: raising the 7th string from A to Bb. Although I am still a complete novice at lap steel, this tuning has worked very well for me. So many possibilities, so little time!
Thank you for your input.
Mahalo,
Ben Sterling (Froppe) |
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slipry1
Ha`aha`a
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - 03/21/2011 : 05:34:23 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by FROPPE
Basil,
I opted to go with what I originally thought would be best, and which you had also suggested: raising the 7th string from A to Bb. Although I am still a complete novice at lap steel, this tuning has worked very well for me. So many possibilities, so little time!
Thank you for your input.
Mahalo,
Ben Sterling (Froppe)
One last gasp - my tuning (Bobby Ingano, Henry Allen)
G
E
C
A
G
E
C
Bb
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keaka |
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Konabob
`Olu`olu
USA
928 Posts |
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Topic |
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Tuning question
