Need no frills 3+4 advice -different tunings

Kristen Bruno · From: Orlando, Florida, USA

I may be looking for a plain 3+4 used single neck in the near future that is lightweight, reliable, good tone and easy to set up and adjust. You know, the "dream guitar".
I saw the carter starter and gfi starter instruments which look pretty good, but the are only capable of the E 9 tuning. I would need something that is capable of being set up in different basic tunings, not just E9. I would be looking for a used instrument in the price range of about 800 give or take if this is possible.

Any advice pro or con on different brands would be appreciated. (there are so many). I have a few guitars which sound great but for different reasons I keep them at home. Would just like to have a fast setup and go guitar.

thanks
superkristen

Dave Grafe · From: Hudson River Valley NY

You might want to check out this very recent string if you haven't already, Kristen, bearing in mind that if you wish to work with more than one tuning setup you will definitely want to do so on different necks, changing out a copedant is not a task to be taken lightly.

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=179562

Bob Hoffnar · From: Austin, Tx

Kristen,
First off you are not spending enough money to be picky about what steel you can buy. You might get lucky though. I say get something simple and get started. It can take a long time to even know what you don't know when it comes to pedal steel guitars !

What sort of music are you planning on using the steel for ? What are your different tuning needs ? Are you aware that on just a basic Carter Starter set up using only the B pedal you have an open B minor pentatonic scale and D major pentatonic scale. With the RKL lever you have an open string whole tone scale. With the AB pedals in or the LKR in you have a basic 6 chord tunings. It goes on and on even with the most basic pedal set up. There is no reason to think of E9 as a country tuning if you have other music to play.
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Bob

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

Good questions -- e.g., what tunings?
If you look at the two most common tunings,
minimal E9 needs 3 ped / 4 kl / 14 changes
minimal C6 needs 5 ped / 1 kl / 13 changes

Assuming you have all the parts, going from one to the other (for someone doing it for the first time) would require about a day to take it ALL apart, a day to move the bellcranks and pull rods, a day to adjust it all out (if you're lucky) and a week or so for it to 'settle in'. That's if ALL GOES WELL. (A good mechanic could do it in a couple of days but you'll pay for that)

As Dave pointed out, changing copedents on a guitar is not a trivial matter.

Take it from one who's been there / done that, no matter how much you plan, your next guitar will probably NOT be your last one. Also, good luck finding a single-10 with 5 pedals and 4 knee levers for $800. That's what you'd need. Adding a pedal or lever costs $150 or more just for parts.

Just a voice of realism . . . Very Happy

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Kristen Bruno · From: Orlando, Florida, USA

thanks for you help . Now I understand better.

I will look at the for sale forum.
thanks
superkristen

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

I think it would be to your long term advantage to start on the E9th Pedal Steel, as you stated, 3+4, spend time with it, get to know the tuning and the changes. Learn to play E9th as it is configured.

I think, my take, for your other tuning adventures you may be best suited to get a single 8 lap Steel , maybe a triple 8, and make your tuning changes over there. good luck

t
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Kristen Bruno · From: Orlando, Florida, USA

Tony,

I think you are right. Better to experiment with tunings on a lapsteel (dobro etc) and learn E9 with the pedals.

Also as people are explaining the sililarities between the tunings, i wonder if I should concentrate not so much on the tunings, but the "intervals" between the strings with the different tunings. (and why they work and sound the way they do).

Anyway i saw a gfi student that i was interested in under the for sale items and asked about it.

I think maybe one of those gfi's , or a zum stage one beginners might be good as they both are lightweight. Just watching my budget here.

thanks
kristen

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