Poll for 12 string players: E9/B6 uni or extended E9?

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

I play a uni, but a good friend just bought a 12 string and is wondering which tuning he wants to put on it.

I play a uni, even thought I don't know much about the B6, because I like having all the extra bass it provides.

Your thoughts?
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Olli Haavisto · From: Jarvenpaa,Finland

My tuning timeline:

S10 E9...D10................................S12ExtE9 and D10...D10 only..............ExtE9 and D10...Ext E9 only......E9/B6.....................????

When I first tried the 12 string, I tried to play it along with the 10 string, didn`t work, ditched the 12.
Tried again years later to play both 12 and 10, didn`t work, ditched the D10.
Played the ext E9 for two years and finally converted the guitar to universal.
I don`t think I`ll go back to 10 stringers or even ext E9, the universal seems to be ideal for the things I want.
If your friend has played the steel before he probably should decide if he needs the D string more than the full 6th setup or vice-versa.
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Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

Since the mid 70s, I've essentially never played anything but a U12. I wouldn't know what to do with a 10 string -- sure, I could play a gig on one if I HAD to but most of my arrangements or instrumentals I've written would be impossible. There's little choice for me.

However, for everyone else, it depends on where they're coming from. 10 string players with some cockpit time under their belt might want (and actually know how to USE) the 9th string. Many of those experienced E9 players just want to extend the lower range of E9, so ExtE9 works well for them.

I play a lot of sixth tuning stuff on the U12 and would not want (a) the 9th string D in the way or (b) an extended E9 that didn't include the classic C6 grips and pedal changes.

Dif'rent strokes . . .
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Jerry Hayes · From: Virginia Beach, Va.

Mike, I played a Uni for a long time until I decided to go back to an extended E9th. The only difference is that I tune my 2nd (like you do) string to C# and also my 9th to C#. I have a knee lever which raises both of them to D and another which raises the 2nd string to D#. I have three of the B6th changes still on the guitar and they work quite well with it. I have the pedal which raises the 5th & 6th strings a whole tone each. Also the pedal which lowers string 7 from F# to F. On the "normal" Uni it would also raise string 11 E to F and string 12 B to C# but since my string 12 is now an E I just lower it to C# with this pedal. In place of the old "boowah" pedal I have one which lowers the 9th string C# to C, the 10th string B to Bb (A#), and the 12th string E to Eb (D#).........JH in Va.
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Jerry Hayes · From: Virginia Beach, Va.

--Double post--
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Robert Parent · From: Gillette, WY

Hi Mike,

I have played both (several years back) along with a D10 for many years. Interesting that you posted this as I just received a SD12 this past Friday and am debating what to set it up with. I always liked the universal concept but I still have my D10 which makes the decision a bit harder.

The first couple days I thought extended E9th it would be but now I am beginning to think universal makes more sense. Sounds like I am as confused as your buddy.

Robert

Jim Smith · From: Midlothian, TX, USA

I tried a Universal 12 for a while and then a Universal 13 (added the 9th string D). While I could get through gigs with them, my leg got tired holding that dang knee lever to play the 6th stuff, plus I couldn't use the other side of that knee. Then I started noticing all the other changes that I had to sacrifice on both necks and went back to the D-12.
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b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

Like Jim Smith, I now play a D-12. I played S-12 with extended E9th for many years, and didn't want to give up any of my E9th pedals, levers or tempered tunings to play C6th.
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Micky Byrne · From: United Kingdom (deceased)

Mike, I started playing S-10 in 1970, got a Bud S-12 extended E9th in 1977, read an article in Scotty's magazine in 1981 0n adding bits to enable a full universal. Had the bits made up and when they were ready went straight to a gig that same day with that missing "D" ...struggled on that gig but soon got to grips with it. Got my Carter uni in 2003. Both guitars suit me fine as I could never afforded a twin 10. I'd be lost without a uni E9th/B6th now.

Micky Byrne U.K.

Dave Ristrim · From: Whites Creek, TN

Extended E9th!

I started on an E9/B6, bought a D10 to try, liked having 2 necks but missed the low G# and E on the E9 neck. Decided D12 was the way to. I mostly use a S12 E9 on the road, but my steel of choice will always be a D12.

Chris Brooks · From: Providence, Rhode Island

Extended E 9, with the E to F lever sending the low E down to C#.

I like the Major 7th available on E 9 with the tonic on the D string that the universal omits.

Chris

Mickey Adams · From: Bandera Texas

Soon Ill have the first Mullen G2 D12...Ex E9 (G#-E Bottom) and Ex C6 (DF top) Will post pics
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Michael Dulin · From: Indiana, USA

I now play extended E9 12. I would like to try a Uni maybe...but not sure I'd go for it. I know I would never go for a double neck. I don't like reaching across anything like another neck or even a pad. I like my hands free to move without any restriction. I know there is some that would argue tone differences in a single vs double body but I'll take the freedom and weight difference over the subtle tone thing. Anyone who is considering these issues should read Reece's post on universal..."Back to the Future" MD

Dan Rollans · From: Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

I have been playing Zane's tuning for 30 years now. I started out on a s10 BMI e9th when I was 15. Zane moved to Little Rock around my 16th birthday and said "Your going to learn this tuning and I will teach you!" So at xmas I recieved a new BMI s12 4p 5K.
I will admit, I was lost for a week or so going from E9 to Zane's setup. But after that, it was a dream to play and still is. I will try to post Zane's tuning.
Str--lkl--lkr--lkv-p1--p2--p3--p4-(p5)-(p6)--rkl--rkr
1-G#-----------------A--------A---------------------
2-F#------------(G#)-------------------------------
3-E--Eb--F---------------------F#--------------------
4-C#---------D-----------D-------------------Eb-----
5-B-----------------------C#------------(A)----------
6-G#---------F#-----A--------A---------------------
7-F#----(G#)--------F-----------------------------(E)
8-D--Eb-(F)---------------------------------------(C#
9-B------------------------C#------(C)--(A)-------(A)
10G#-----------------G-------A---------------------
11E--Eb---------C#-----------F#--------------------
12B---------------------------------(G#)----------(A)
-----------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
The above is Zane's tuning as played by myself Dan Rollans. The string notes and pedals shown as ( ) are modifications to the tuning that I have made over the years. Zane oringinally had RKR pulling strings as RKL shown in chart, but swapped levers sometime around 1981 or 1982. After the swap Zane used the RKR to raise the 5th string from a B to C and lower strings 9 and 12 from B to Bb.
I spent a good amount of time hanging out with Zane trying to pickup as much knowledge as possible on this great tuning. I only wish I would have spent more time with him. He was always avalible for a lesson or to just sit and chat.
I now live about a mile from Faye and her husband Joe. They are both wonderful people. ZanBeck studio is still up and running very sucessfully in their backyard. Zanbeck studio is a great quaility recording studio. I believe Faye has some albums and cassettes of Zane's still in stock. Feel free to email me if you are interested in Zane's reordings and I will pass it along to Faye. I'm not sure how much she has in stock.
I will forever owe Zane a debt of gratitude for the time he spent with me. Thanks, Dan Rollans @STEELERS CHOICE.

Jan Oelbrandt · From: Herzele, Belgium

Playing 12string E9 extended for now, but will be looking for a truly "universal" copedent. I think the term "uni" is not quite right, as it is actually a fusion of E9 and C6.

Gil Berry · From: Westminster, CA, USA

Universal. Other than the 9th string D (which you can put on the uni as an 8th string (E) lower or 9th string (B) raise) I'm missing what advantage the ext E9th has over the universal - and with the universal you still have the C6th (B6) at your fingertips..PROVIDED, of course, that you make the required pulls on the 9th thru 12 strings....like you get with ext E9..

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