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Topic: Oahu Lap Steel Tuning |
Dave Sichak
From:
California, USA
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Posted 17 May 2012 10:46 pm |
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Howdy one more time,
Once in a while I shop around on a whim and find something. Recently I came into possession of an old Oahu 6-string lap steel guitar.
Similar to my other post - what tuning and gauge of strings should I try and use for this guitar?
I haven't tested it yet to see if it still plays. But I'm hopeful it will and I can somehow generate the karma of some early steel guitar player when I hook it up with a new set of strings.
Thanks!
Cheers,
Dave
http://www.hillbilly-music.com |
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Benjamin Kelley
From:
Iowa, USA
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Posted 18 May 2012 5:17 am
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The tunings you can use are infinite. For recommendations try http://www.hawaiinsteelguitar.com which also provides string gauges for any tuning. Just to get you started try this very common C6 tuning:
E .014
C .017
A .022
G .026W
E .030W
C .036W
_________________
If I die trying I will steel the world one honky tonk at a time. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 18 May 2012 6:54 am
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Most of the original Oahu material was written for the A, high bass, tuning.
E,C#,A,E,C#A
I still use that tuning on a 6 string lap guitar. |
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Dave Sichak
From:
California, USA
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Posted 18 May 2012 8:00 am
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| Thanks for the responses. Based on the tunings I saw on that page, I learned over the years using a modified version of the E7th tuning. For that Oahu, I think I'll try the one that was suggested and see how that goes and sounds. The Fender I still have is probably a long neck one as it is bigger / longer than the other two I have. |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 18 May 2012 8:21 am About what tuning to select.................
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Mr. Kelley was correct.......
Whatever you do, DON'T lock your mind into believing that only certain tunings are for certain guitars.
In the beginning......
Guitar strings came ONLY in sets of six strings. THAT was it. You used that same set for Emaj, E7th,
C#min, A6th and later, C6th.
Personally, I believe too much time is devoted today to thinking about string brands and gages. Put on a set and play the thing. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 18 May 2012 8:48 am
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A set of 6 strings will not work for all tunings.
Particularly when you start mixing in 6th's, 7th's and such.
You need to match the gauge with the note the string is being tuned to. |
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Benjamin Kelley
From:
Iowa, USA
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Posted 18 May 2012 10:16 pm
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I pay close attention to my string gages, although I play a 26" scale fender so there's a lot more tension to contend with. Yeah, the main thing is have fun. I suggest C6 mainly because there is so much instructional material out there for it and it's a fairly versatile tuning.
Cheers,
Benjamin
_________________
If I die trying I will steel the world one honky tonk at a time. |
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