8 string open D tunings?

Nicholai Steindler · From: New York, USA

Hi, I'm trying eight string open D. I plan on mostly play blues and rock on this guitar. I'm using DADF#ADEF#, it's not bad, I like the sound but the E doesn't do much for my style of music, hard to explain, anyone got any other tunings in D or E that are related?

Thanks!

Stephan Miller · From: Silver Spring, Maryland, USA

Lose the E and add a C-- either (lo-hi) D-A-C-D-F#-A-D-F#, or D-A-D-F#-A-C-D-F#. There's always a trade-off...in the 1st example you would break up your bass power chord...in the 2nd example, you break up a couple of major chord inversions...

Or-- another kind of complication-- put the dom7 on the 1st string, out of sequence but "out of the way": D-A-D-F#-A-D-F#-C (in pitch it would belong just below the 3rd string D). That way you could filter it in and out of your playing without messing up a bunch of other nice easy grips.

See what appeals most-- for blues and rock IMO the dominant 7th C is probably the most useful thing to add. If it were me, and I wanted to stray into other styles as well, I would try either 1)any of the above suggestions and retune the C to B when appropriate (adding the minor chord/sixth chord), or 2) just add the B permanently-- (lo-hi): D-A-C-D-F#-A-B-D. Now you've got the dom7, minor, 6th, and 13th chords.

I like D-based tunings for rock and blues-- it's cool to be able to hammer-on, and otherwise play up to, that good ol' E chord!

--Steve

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

D7th: D A D F# A C D F#. This is basically a Sacred Steel E7th lowered a tone.

Adding the C note will give you a lot of bluesy tri-tones. Playing the F# and C strings together makes the defining notes of these chords:
D7 open
A7 at the 1st fret
E7 at the 2nd fret
B7 at the 3rd fret
etc.

Once you understand this relationship, all sorts of rock and blues licks fall into place.
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Nicholai Steindler · From: New York, USA

Thanks guys. That seems to have done the trick. The one you both recommended is pretty perfect. I will try the permutations soon.

I am trying something weird based on this, (DADF#ADCB), any thoughts? I will go back and do it your guys way in a few.

Any other tunings I should try? How about a complimentary tuning for a double 8?

Thanks so much.

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

Here's Forumite Pete Grant playing some beautiful Celtic music on 8-string resophonic in open D tuning.

http://www.petegrant.com/8-string_sheebeg.html

http://www.petegrant.com/banish_misfortune.html

George Piburn · From: The Land of Enchantment New Mexico

Is it possible to post the recommended String Gauges associated with these suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

MR.Boards Very Happy

Nicholai Steindler · From: New York, USA

I could really use another tuning to complement D on my double neck 8-string!!!

I tried E13, wow that made no sense to me.... I need so much info.

Mike Neer · From: NJ

Nicholai, you've got to be patient with this. If you're a guitarist who's trying to make sense out of the steel guitar by relating it to guitar, you're going to wind up chasing your tail. Most of the tunings that have been used throughout the years with subtle variations are full of tons of things to play, in any genre. You have to spent the time getting to know them and working on your technique. Even for Blues and Rock, you can make it work.

I'm going to suggest that you try A6--it's tuned
E C# A F# E C# A F#
Easy to learn for a guitarist and still retains classic sounds--also very good for what you play.
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Nicholai Steindler · From: New York, USA

Thank You!

A6 really seems like a great tuning. Are there any variations on it? EC#AF#EC#AF#, seems almost like there is room for more in there.

Is there anywhere which breaks down the theory behind each tuning or do I need to figure them out on my own. The kind of info Bob was posting is great.

I am not a guitarist, in fact I am the worlds worst guitar player. I never found my instrument. I played violin from age four on, then played piano, trumpet, bass guitar, harmonica, electronic music, etc (guess that is a bit of EADG). So I can play music on anything, but I'm not great at a particular instrument. Steel guitar seems to be the closest to how I think so far, pedal might be better. Doubt I will be trying any new instruments after this.

Nicholai Steindler · From: New York, USA

Any thoughts on B11?

Ryan Barwin · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Mike Neer · From: NJ

Sorry for being presumptuous in thinking you were a guitarist.

The B11 tuning is in the A6 family, so if you tune to A6 you only have to retune to the 5th and 6th strings to get there, or at least one version of the tuning anyway.
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Nicholai Steindler · From: New York, USA

Thanks.

I can't play quite a few songs with satisfactory minor chords (been trying Death Don't Have No Mercy" tonight for example). 2 note ones aren't cutting it, thoughts? I've tried adding a b to D7 and, eh. It doesn't feel right.

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

Drop your F# to F and play in D minor tuning! There are a few minor positions in open D that sound good.

Nicholai Steindler · From: New York, USA

Thanks Andy! That seems to have been the key to most of the songs I've been trying to play. I've got one neck in D7 and the other in low to high (DADFABCF). I can tell they might be useful, but I haven't really figured out what to do with the C on top.

Want to elaborate on the minor positions you mentioned or give me better advice on a second tuning, or, well anything really! I'm sure I'm doing this wrong.

Stephan Miller · From: Silver Spring, Maryland, USA

Nicholas, I strongly second Mike Neer's suggestion. There are many reasons why A6 is still going strong after 60+ years. Of course you can't understand the real strengths of any tuning without playing/applying it! One thing worth mentioning about A6, though, is that sitting on strings 2-7 are the same intervals as the 6-string C6 tuning, which has given rise to more written instruction and tabbed-out tunes than any other; and there's the added benefit of the high fifth on the 1st string.

Another thing is that A6 can be easily tweaked into several other useful tunings. There are some fun variations but you need to get your teeth into the basic tuning first. It's my favorite and a great one to learn steel guitar on.

I see from another thread you're living in my hometown! I get up to Ithaca 2-3 times a year. I always travel with a lap steel. Smile

We should get together.

--Steve

Steve Ahola · From: Concord, California

Dustin Farnum · From: Montana, USA

I just got a Rickenbacker Triple neck. I tuned the bottom neck to the E13 you described. The middle neck to the C6/A7 and the top to a standard E7. There are so many tunings, I think I am going to leave it that way and learn those necks before I try something else.
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D Schubert · From: Columbia, MO, USA

Another vote for A6. Well, almost. I have good luck with tuning down another whole step to G6. If you are used to a D string on top, you'll still have it with this tuning:

D B G E D B G E

Nicholai Steindler · From: New York, USA

Thanks everyone for keeping this going. I'm still trying all of them.

Rick Winfield · From: Pickin' beneath the Palmettos

d a d f# a d C E
9ths, 7ths, minors
still retaining that 6 string thing

Rick

Dustin Farnum · From: Montana, USA

Currently I am using the Don Helms E13th tuning on the first neck: G#,E,C#,B,G#,E,D,B. With this I have a E major cord on strings 8,6,5,4,2,1 and a 6th on string 3 and a 7th on string 7. This provides a minor triad on strings 6,5,3,2,1. On the second neck I am using a slightly modified version of the C6/A7 tuning: E,C,A,G,E,C,C#,A. I like this tuning because it provides a C 6th chord on strings 6,5,3,4,2,1 1 and you have an A minor 7th chord on strings 8,6,4,5,3,2,1 and an A 7th chord on strings 8,7,5,4,3,and 1. Also the picking pattern is the same on necks 1 and 2 on strings 1 through 6. On neck 3 I am using the standard E 7th tuning: E,B,G#,E,D,B,G#,E. I figure these three tunings will keep me occupied for a long time.
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b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

Steve Ahola · From: Concord, California

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

The low E9th tuning (with a middle F#) was used a lot in western swing before Buddy came along. The modern E9th pedal steel got its 7th string F# from that tuning, probably via Buddy Emmons who was well aware of western swing traditions.
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