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Topic: Tempered tuning for Dobro or Lap Steel |
KENNY KRUPNICK
From:
Columbus, Ohio
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Posted 4 Jun 2002 11:04 am |
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| I was wondering if anyone tuned their dobro or their lap steel to a tempered tuning? |
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Ricky Davis
From:
Bertram, Texas USA
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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C Dixon
From:
Duluth, GA USA
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Posted 4 Jun 2002 2:26 pm
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Tempered tuning and ET and straight 440 reference are one and the same.
This according to b0b, our wonderful leader and books I have read on the subject.
carl |
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Roy Thomson
From:
Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada
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Posted 4 Jun 2002 4:33 pm
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Kenny: 440 on all strings except the 2nd and
the 5th which are both "B" if we are talking the bluegrass tuning.
Drop those two strings a mite below 440 until
they sound "in" to your ear.
On my tuner they are around 438 +. |
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Bobby Lee
From:
Cloverdale, California, USA
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Posted 4 Jun 2002 4:33 pm
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Actually, Carl, "tempered" refers to any tuning that is not "just intonation" (JI). Equal temperament (ET) is just one way, albeit the most common, to temper an instrument. I temper my pedal steels a variety of ways, but for lap steel I prefer JI.
------------------
 Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (F Diatonic) Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6) |
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KENNY KRUPNICK
From:
Columbus, Ohio
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Posted 4 Jun 2002 6:55 pm
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| Thanks to all your replies. especially to Mr. Roy Thompson.I've always tuned my dobro,the bluegrass tuning, GBDGBD,all to 440,and I've payed really close attention to the open tuning,and it doesn't sound right. When I get my dobro out,and restring it,I'll try that. |
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Stephen Gambrell
From:
Over there
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Posted 5 Jun 2002 8:14 am
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| Really, with a resonator guitar, it doesn't matter as much, with all the single string and slant stuff going on. Besides, how do you get in tune with a banjo? Huh? Huh? |
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Ron Randall
From:
Dallas, Texas, USA
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Posted 5 Jun 2002 10:07 am
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This is a fun subject. I guess I am hooked on it.
My opinion:
Why are there so many ways to tune???
There are many needs. Necessity is a mother...of invention. 
Gotta be in context. If playing alone for fun or profit, tune Just Intonation. No beats. This works because the root note is almost always on the same string with dobro, lap steel, etc. The third is almost always on the same string, etc.
Bluegrass pickin' on a guitar or dobro? Better be JI or you will be escorted to the door. Ever sing bluegrass harmonies? Better be JI.
If you are playing jazz with a group, better be ET. Root note is moving from string to string as complex chords are moving all around the neck.
Playing with a symphony orchestra, or a 24 piece band all night? I have. Better be ET.
Keep it in context. Make it sound good. |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 5 Jun 2002 10:45 am
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I agree, fun topic !!
Speakin' of Symphony Orchestras ... Have y'all heard Jerry Byrd's "Polynesian Suite" .... an outstanding example of JB's ability to play all types of music on steel guitar.
[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 05 June 2002 at 01:34 PM.] |
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