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Topic: Blues on an 8 string Leavitt tuning |
Don McClellan
From:
California/Thailand
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Posted 24 May 2016 12:39 pm |
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This is me playing blues last December to a YouTube jam track on my home made lap steel. Its bits and pieces of several takes. Nothing too professional  Thanks for watching, Don
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeyQDh9HE_8 |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 24 May 2016 3:02 pm
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| got the tone of a nice horn. |
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Stefan Robertson
From:
Hertfordshire, UK
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Posted 24 May 2016 10:57 pm
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Yeah I have the Leavitt in mine and I only discovered it recently.
I love the voicings. So awesome.
Nice phrasing in your video. I'd focus on playing clean to get that tone right. No distortion to mask intonation problems.
Think clean tone. That's pretty much all I use now and it really has helped my playing.
_________________
Stefan
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com
"Give it up for The Lap Steel Guitarist" |
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Stefan Robertson
From:
Hertfordshire, UK
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Posted 25 May 2016 12:59 am
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What tuning did you end up using on your 8 string?
_________________
Stefan
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com
"Give it up for The Lap Steel Guitarist" |
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Don McClellan
From:
California/Thailand
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Posted 25 May 2016 7:34 pm
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| Stefan, I use what I call the Hawaiian Levitt tuning. Its based on a B6th. Top to bottom.... Bb, Eb, B, G#, F#, Eb, C, A. I just put two more strings on it about a week ago. I put a C# on top and an F on the bottom. Its now a 10 stringer! Don |
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Chris Sattler
From:
Hunter Valley, Australia
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Posted 26 May 2016 5:25 am
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Just curious. How did two more strings fit onto the guitar. It looks full with 8.
I like what you do with the Leavitt tuning. I would have never thought to play blues with that tuning. I'll have to have another look. I'm not too sure what the first tune you play is called but sounds like this one. This is exceptional and has been mentioned here before:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhLqe2xbqS8
Enjoy |
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Stefan Robertson
From:
Hertfordshire, UK
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Posted 26 May 2016 7:07 am
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If you can play Jazz/bop on a tuning you can play any genre.
_________________
Stefan
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com
"Give it up for The Lap Steel Guitarist" |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 26 May 2016 10:12 am
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you seem to know quite alot about it.
i can twist my 6 str c6 to leavitt and it does have cool voicings. but i admittedly don't know much about straight steel and certainly wouldn't pretend i did. |
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Don McClellan
From:
California/Thailand
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Posted 26 May 2016 3:30 pm
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Chris Sattler,
Changing my 8 string steel to a 10 stringer was not that difficult because I had all the parts I needed and because of the keyless tuning system I use. Also, my steel already had a 10 string pickup on it which helped make it easier for me.
Here are some pics and diagrams to explain what I did. Please keep in mind that this guitar was not made to look beautiful. It was made to fit into a medium sized suitcase because I travel quite a bit.
I had to get a longer pin for the extra 2 gauged roller nuts, a longer steel rod for the bridge to handle 2 more strings, I had to drill 2 more holes behind the bridge to hold the ball end of the strings and make new axle holders and glue them and screw them on. I also had to add extra length to either end of the bridge holder. No problem 
This first drawing shows how the tuning end of the guitar was shaped before I modified it.
Its real ugly but it works well and sounds great. Don
  
Last edited by Don McClellan on 26 May 2016 4:00 pm; edited 3 times in total |
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Don McClellan
From:
California/Thailand
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Posted 26 May 2016 3:56 pm
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Chris Sattler,
Yes, the video of Emmons playing that blues tune is where I took the head from. I don't know the name of that tune but its easy to play and fits any basic 12 bar blues pattern. I love that video . Especially the smile on Jerry Douglas's (the dobro player) face when Emmons starts playing his solo. And Jerry's solo too for that matter. Don |
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Chris Sattler
From:
Hunter Valley, Australia
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Posted 26 May 2016 6:01 pm
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Yeah Don it is a great piece of work. The Edgar Myer bass solo is neat complete with the dropping of the bow at the end. It sure put a smile on everyone face there (mine too) and demonstrates the feeling of the guys in the room having so much fun. And that is what it is all about.
There is just too much talent in that room.
Nice job on your guitar. I'd rather have a guitar that sounds a million bucks than looks a million bucks. |
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Larry Berwald
From:
Virginia, USA
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Posted 13 May 2017 2:53 pm Leavitt Tuning
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Greetngs,
Does anyone have the book "Running Laps"? I have the first book of Leavitt arrangements and this is the second. I've tried repeatedly to buy it on the website with no reply.
Or do you have your own arrangments you'd sell?. I use 6 string Leavitt tuning.
Thanks
Larry Berwald
_________________
Don't B sharp.... Don't B flat
Just B natural! |
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Chris Sattler
From:
Hunter Valley, Australia
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Posted 14 May 2017 4:29 am
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Hi Larry. I also have tried to buy from Mike in the past. I eventually got a refund but no books. He should remove his website. I am still interested in this book too. Best of luck.
I have a couple of arrangements I have done but they are for 8 string. PM me if you want them. You are welcome to them. |
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Preston Briggs
From:
Washington, USA
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Stefan Robertson
From:
Hertfordshire, UK
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Posted 19 May 2017 1:03 am
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I have literally tried for months to get his "Running Laps" as his Jazz/ music theory knowledge and William Leavitt really are a lesson in chords.
I had the same experience paid but got nothing but a reply then refund.
I tried from users on this forum and one person had it and wasn't willing to sell and I suggested due to its unavailability to photocopy it for educational purposes make some sort of copy cause as usual - When a person goes to the great gig in the sky
ALL of their knowledge and potential contributions and discoveries get lost forever. If you know about the Bill leavitt story that Mike Idhe shared was that Mike "promised" to share the Leavitt tuning with the world and the material Bill had transcribed. So where is it??????????
I contacted Mike and sadly he was not in good health so what now?
Anyone who has Running Laps please contact me...maybe we should place this on a separate post called Running Laps - Bill Leavitt Mike Idhe.
_________________
Stefan
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com
"Give it up for The Lap Steel Guitarist" |
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Stefan Robertson
From:
Hertfordshire, UK
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Posted 19 May 2017 11:24 pm
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----UPDATE----
Mike got back to me and hopes to be able to send me some transcriptions but his health has been very rough.
_________________
Stefan
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com
"Give it up for The Lap Steel Guitarist" |
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Larry Berwald
From:
Virginia, USA
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Posted 20 May 2017 3:46 am Leavitt Tuning
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Thanks for the update!
I wish Mike well. I'd be glad to purchase any materials available.
_________________
Don't B sharp.... Don't B flat
Just B natural! |
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Bo Parker
From:
Alabama, USA
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Posted 20 May 2017 7:06 am
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| I also tried to buy Mike Ihde's Leavitt tuning books earlier this year. Eventually I complained to paypal and got a refund. He should definitely shut his web site down, or at least deactivate the "buy" links. |
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Sonny Jenkins
From:
Texas Masonic Retirement Center,,,Arlington Tx
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Posted 20 May 2017 1:32 pm
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| Hey Don,,,is that some tuners that I made for you,,,looks like my same design? |
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