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Topic: Lap Steel - Strings for Open G and Open Em tunings? |
Thiago Jota
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 26 Feb 2013 11:41 pm |
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Hi, my first post. 
I'm new to this world: I've just got my first lap steel.
I'm planning to play in open G (D G D G B E) and open Em (E B E G B E), and I was hoping I could find a set of strings that could work for both tunings well.
Any suggestions? Thank you |
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Stephen Abruzzo
From:
Philly, PA
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Thiago Jota
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 27 Feb 2013 7:39 am
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Makes sense. Well, that's a start.
Thank you. |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 27 Feb 2013 7:41 am
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You might consider trying D tuning: DADF#AD low to hi. It's an easy tweak to D minor by flatting the 3rd string 1/2 step.
Also an easy tweak from D tuning is DADGAD, D7th or D major 7th tuning. |
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Stephen Cowell
From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
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Posted 27 Feb 2013 9:51 am Re: Lap Steel - Strings for Open G and Open Em tunings?
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| Thiago Jota wrote: |
I'm new to this world: I've just got my first lap steel. I'm planning to play in open G (D G D G B E) and open Em (E B E G B E), and I was hoping I could find a set of strings that could work for both tunings well. |
First, your open 'G' looks like it has an error... the top string should be 'D' for an open 'G' chord that looks like an open 'A' chord on guitar.
Second, I think you'll find that your tuning will work with a normal set of guitar strings, especially since your guitar (nice, I own two of those!) is a short-scale one. I string mine with the Ernie Ball Not-Even-Slinky set, starting at .012... it would cover both of those tunings no problem. To make it easier, you might consider using Dmin instead of Emin... that way you're only lowering strings instead of raising them, just like your G tuning. If you do that, you can go with a heavier gauge (like mine) without worrying too much... strings start to sound crappy when you stress them too much. If you choose to keep Emin you might consider the lighter sets starting at .011.
Welcome to the forum... and have fun!
_________________
New FB Page: Lap Steel Licks And Stuff: https://www.facebook.com/groups/195394851800329 |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Thiago Jota
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 27 Feb 2013 7:17 pm
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I'll give those string sets a try. Thank you
Sounds like I may end up becoming more familiar with non-standard tunings and quicker at finding notes with a lap steel, which is a pretty cool challenge.
| Stephen Cowell wrote: |
| Thiago Jota wrote: |
I'm new to this world: I've just got my first lap steel. I'm planning to play in open G (D G D G B E) and open Em (E B E G B E), and I was hoping I could find a set of strings that could work for both tunings well. |
First, your open 'G' looks like it has an error... the top string should be 'D' for an open 'G' chord that looks like an open 'A' chord on guitar.
Second, I think you'll find that your tuning will work with a normal set of guitar strings, especially since your guitar (nice, I own two of those!) is a short-scale one. I string mine with the Ernie Ball Not-Even-Slinky set, starting at .012... it would cover both of those tunings no problem. To make it easier, you might consider using Dmin instead of Emin... that way you're only lowering strings instead of raising them, just like your G tuning. If you do that, you can go with a heavier gauge (like mine) without worrying too much... strings start to sound crappy when you stress them too much. If you choose to keep Emin you might consider the lighter sets starting at .011.
Welcome to the forum... and have fun! |
Hi Stephen,
You're right on the tuning sequence; thanks for the correction. I got those two tunings out of gilmourish (http://www.gilmourish.com/?page_id=69), who I also "blame" on getting me started on this.
Thanks for the tips: now I have an idea of a few string sets to experiment with and ideas to try.
| Andy Volk wrote: |
You might consider trying D tuning: DADF#AD low to hi. It's an easy tweak to D minor by flatting the 3rd string 1/2 step.
Also an easy tweak from D tuning is DADGAD, D7th or D major 7th tuning. |
Thanks for your help; I will try that. I've just got your book on tunings. |
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Chris Walke
From:
St Charles, IL
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