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Topic: Beginners Help needed with tuning |
Jeff Brown
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Posted 22 Mar 2009 6:23 am |
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Hi Guys as some of you will know I'm really green at music and lap steels so I could really do with some help here, this is what I'm after to at least set me on the right road to start beginning my lessons.
My tuner finally came through yesterday so I popped into my room to tune my lapsteel,....It took me around 10 minutes to get it sounding a heap better than it did than when I got it last week, then I realized although the tuning was spot on I ended up tuning it as a normal guitar  and as we all know this isn't right.
Can anyone tell me in simple English how to tune the strings in the right order? I.e. Thick one to the thin one lol and what key they should be in? I'm wanting to learn Country and Hawaiian style.
Thanks guy's I know it may sound simple to you guy's but believe me to a beginner its a nightmare.
I Really appreciate your help guys |
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John Allison
From:
Austin, Texas, USA
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Posted 22 Mar 2009 7:14 am
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You'll want a C6 tuning, but if you've got a standard guitar string set on it, you won't get there. You can get to a G6 tuning ( a good alternative) with just a couple of string guage substitutions, but it might be a little confusing.
To keep things simple from the start try this C6 tuning: C-E-G-A-C-E Lowest tone to Highest tone (the low C is the same exact note as the 3rd fret on the A string of a standard tuned guitar).
Here are the guages you need: 36w, 30w, 24w, 22w, 18p, 14p. Go to your local music store and get those single strings, put 'em on, tune it up and start playing.
You'll hear the sound you're looking for as soon as you put the bar down and strum across the strings.
Have fun!
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John Allison
Allison Stringed Instruments
Austin, Texas
www.allisonguitars.com |
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 22 Mar 2009 8:03 am
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b0b has Steel Guitar sets already made up - available right here on the forum.
Just click on "STRINGS' at the top of this page.
Free shipping and he gets them to you FAST!
For info on tunings and gauges - see TUNINGS.
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BIG STEEL |
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Roger Palmer
From:
Rossendale, UK
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Posted 22 Mar 2009 8:46 am
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Hi Jeff,
bOb's strings are good I use them on a couple of lap steels. Only problem is they take about 2-3 weeks to get to the UK.
I would order a set of the c6th ones (make sure they are for a 6 string steel) and in the meantime tune your existing strings to G6th
G6 Tuning:
1. D thinnest string
2. B
3. G
4. E
5. B
6. G |
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Jeff Brown
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Posted 22 Mar 2009 9:13 am
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Thank you for your help guy's, I have no idea what srings came on my guitar all I know is there metal lol
so to be on the safe side I will order a new set of strings, thanks guy's I'm getting there.
Thanks Roger that's Just what I needed a fool proof way of tuning
Once again guys Thanks for all your help. |
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Jeff Brown
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Posted 22 Mar 2009 12:55 pm
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Well I tuned it to Rogers spec (the dummies way lol) Thanks roger and WOW it now sounds really cool but I do intend to buy some new strings from Bob I'm in no rush for them so I don't mind the wait.
I have been in-touch with a few guitar teachers but as soon as you mention lap steel it seems to frighten them away, there are no lap steel tutors within 50 mile of me so it looks like I'm on a long slow road to learning the lap steel and I have every intentions of getting there if I can Just keep bugging you guy's for help.
Now I'm on the first rung of the ladder but hanging on lol would it be possible for anyone to give me a tune I could learn and that I can print-out and have in front of me because it looks like I'm going to have to teach myself with you guy's help? I can't read music so have no idea of scales or pitch what ever you guy's call it.
I will be buying DVD's to help me in my learning but I just need a simple tune for a beginner so I can get myself under way by following a printed guide, Knowing were to put the bar and which strings to strum/pluck.
Thanks a million guy's and sorry for bugging you. |
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Roger Palmer
From:
Rossendale, UK
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Posted 22 Mar 2009 2:06 pm
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This site has been a great help to me
http://www.hawaiiansteel.com/index.php
The chord locater is especially useful but for G6 you will have to create a custom tuning
By the way what guitar did you get? |
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Jeff Brown
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Posted 22 Mar 2009 2:17 pm
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| Roger Palmer wrote: |
This site has been a great help to me
http://www.hawaiiansteel.com/index.php
The chord locater is especially useful but for G6 you will have to create a custom tuning
By the way what guitar did you get? |
Thanks Rog
I'll check out your link now.
I bought a cheepy from ebay to see how I get along with it, if and when I become good enough and I can produce some good music from it I will get a better one, I couldn't see the point in paying out to much for a good one only to find I'll never get there.
The amp I'm using is my Sony 80watt amp that is for my reel to reel tape deck system, so again if and when I feel good enough I will go for a better amp.
Thanks for your help and the link I really appreciate it. |
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