New to me Lap Steel

Terry Harper · From: California, USA

Just bought a Used Chandler Studio 6 Lap Steel.

Seems to be tuned in Open A Maj.
First string is .015 and the Sixth string is .044.
Scale length looks to be about 23 1/4".

Never played one before but have been playing regular guitar for Several Years.
Not sure where to start with the lap steel...I do have a Dunlap 919 Tone Bar.

Love the Blues and Southern Rock and Country.

Any Tips Welcome!!

Thanks, Terry

Allan Revich · From: Victoria, BC

George Rout · From: St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada

Congratulations Terry. You may not be aware of it but the A Major tuning was the original tuning from the early 30's. It had two alternative tunnings:

1. A Major low bass (hi to lo) E C# A E A E and
2. A Major high bass (hi to lo) E C# A E C# A

There are not too many folks interested in it. I took Hawaiian guitar lessons in 1948 (I'm 81) and my music lessons were A Major with a few in E Major which was an alternative tuning back in the dark ages. I still play mostly in A Major, but have updated a bit to using A 6th which is the simple change of raising the middle E to an F#.

You won't find too many folks playing A Major these and you won't find any TAB on it. You should be aware that the Dobro standatd tuning D B G D B G is the same as the high bass above only two notes lower. In other words, the two TABs can be played, but the tones are G for the Dobro, and A for the Hawaiian guitar.

Type in my name on Youtube for Harbour Lights. The A Major is extra easy to learn. Good luck my friend.
Geo
_________________
http://georgerout.com

"I play in the A Major tuning. It's fun to learn and so easy to play. It's as old as the hills....like me"

Daniel McKee · From: Corinth Mississippi

I suggest trying a few tunings until you find something that fits you. For country C6 low to high CEGACE is a great start. From that tuning you can easily retune to a few others as well.

George Rout · From: St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada

Daniel, I think you'll find the C6th 4th string is an F# and not a G.
Geo
_________________
http://georgerout.com

"I play in the A Major tuning. It's fun to learn and so easy to play. It's as old as the hills....like me"

Terry Harper · From: California, USA

Allan,

No photos yet.

George,

It's A Maj. high Base.

Thank You,

Terry Harper

Gene Tani · From: Pac NW

This book (and probably others cover open tunings) https://www.amazon.com/Hal-Leonard-Steel-Guitar-Method/dp/1423422708

The most detailed instruction books i've seen are by Andy Volk, his Exploring c6 in particular, and theree's lots of youtube channels e.g. georgeboards and lessons w/Troy B.

The best thing would be to take a lesson or 2, there's a lot going on, especially if you're not adept at finger and thumbpicks: pick blocking, palm muting, slants, bullet bar vs Stevens style...
_________________
- keyless Sonny Jenkins laps stay in tune forever!; Carter PSG
- The secret sauce: polyester sweatpants to buff your picks, cheapo Presonus channel strip for preamp/EQ/compress/limiter, Diet Mountain Dew

Francisco Castillo · From: Easter Island, Chile

Hi.

Jerry Byrd's course. Tabs + cds

Its like a voyage in time from those Amajor times to modern days, well not so modern but quite more advanced.

Hope it helps

Terry Harper · From: California, USA

Thanks All for the responses!

Terry Harper

George Rout · From: St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada

Terry I apologize, yes it's A6, but A6 th tuning is:
E C# A F# C# A, there is no G in A6!!!!
Geo
_________________
http://georgerout.com

"I play in the A Major tuning. It's fun to learn and so easy to play. It's as old as the hills....like me"

Steven Paris · From: Los Angeles

Allan Revich · From: Victoria, BC

Terry Harper · From: California, USA

Here are a couple of pics of the Chandler Studio 6

Terry Harper

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