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Topic: A 14 string Sacred Steel tuning with Counterpoint Options |
Justin Shaw
From:
Ontario, Canada
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Posted 4 Nov 2022 8:16 pm |
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I tried, but failed, to buy a Williams 700 the other day that had this Chuck Campbell copedent:
As I posted here https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=385883, I prefer wider chord voicings. I want to harmonize the melody with much lower bass notes. This copedent really struck me because it has so many options for two line improvisation and very wide voicings. It's also conceptually straightforward: each pedal and lever gives you a different version of the chord at the current position. I believe Chuck Campbell called this an "autoharp" setup. But you also have most of the basic extended e9 setup too.
I really like the sound of sacred steel, especially the tone and the emulation of gospel singer voices. So I thought maybe a version of this tuning could facilitate that kind of lead line, with my favorite chord voicings for support.
There's a fair amount of material about sacred steel, and I went through what I could find, both from b0b's site, and from threads like this https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=122901&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 where Chris Johnson explains his setup a little, and talks about Robert Randolph's. I'll direct you to that thread for that, rather than reposting the copedents here.
After considering the reasoning behind all the different options, I came up with this:
The reason for 14 strings is that I have massive hands, and I'm used to playing extended range instruments. The reasoning for much of the tuning is pretty clear at a basic level from the notes underneath each pedal and lever. The yellow strings are the ones I added to Chuck Campbell's copedent, although I also moved his D string. The low G# is a fill in like Robert Randolph added, and which I appreciate. Notice there's lots of options for strummable and unison notes here as well, which is part of the sacred steel sound as I understand it.
The thing that requires the most explanation is the inclusion of both the C# and D in the higher strings. Chris Johnson uses the C#, and Chuck Campbell the D. However I want every intervalic option available, in a wide spread, for counterpoint. By including both, as well as Eb, along with the given pedal and lever options, I have an easily accessible chromatic scale running from the P5 D on String 10 all the way up to the high A on the G# string with P3. Moreover having C#, D, Eb all as open options, I can make up for the relatively large spacing and fewer options in the lower strings. For instance I can get a bass C on 14 and E on 2 by moving up 1 fret, which is the kind of thing I often need for descending bass runs in hymns. In this sense I'm thinking of the bar position, as well as +1 fret, and -1 fret as the collective home position of the tuning, rather than just the one fret where the root is.
To be clear, I have not done this yet, because I don't yet have a 14 string universal, so any thoughts and suggestions are appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to consider it! |
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Richard Alderson
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 6 Nov 2022 7:34 am
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14 String guitars are relatively few and far between. Difficult to find a used model, It could be years before one shows up again on the forum, although the last one, a nice Sierra, sold in May or June. Not sure who might make a new one for you. I remember BMI guitars used to sell their Tharpe model. You can write to BMI on the internet, Beckmusicalinstruments.com; Maybe Excel !??
Another question would be what instruments have you played up until now? Its definitely going to be easier to try and get a 12 string vs. a 14 string. But Good Luck and we all need to be true to ourselves.
_________________
Derby SD-10 5x6; GFI S-10 5x5; GFI S-10 5x5; Zum D-10 8x7; Zum D-10 9x9; Fender 400; Fender Rumble 200; Nashville 400; Telonics TCA-500. |
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Justin Shaw
From:
Ontario, Canada
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Posted 6 Nov 2022 2:28 pm
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Hey thanks for the reply!
It would be nice to get a used one, but as you say that's tough. I have been talking to Excel, who makes a 25.5" 14 string model. They're the only ones I know of who do both of those options together, and in my price range.
I have played everything with strings for about 30 years, including an e9 S10. I have big hands and the increase in strings should be no problem, although it will take some getting used to. I have played extended range instruments for years and am familiar with that kind of process. |
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Bill McCloskey
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Justin Shaw
From:
Ontario, Canada
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Posted 6 Nov 2022 9:12 pm
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Haha thank you I did see that and thought about it but the guitar itself will already be a stretch on the budget.
I was kind of hoping for feedback on the copedent but I know that's not everyone's cup of tea. |
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Phil Ajjarapu
From:
Portland, via Austin, TX via Chicago
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Posted 7 Nov 2022 9:39 am
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I love my excel universal 14 I got from Mitsuo in April.
He's like, 92... order it and you'll be super glad you did. |
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Justin Shaw
From:
Ontario, Canada
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Posted 7 Nov 2022 7:21 pm
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| Phil Ajjarapu wrote: |
I love my excel universal 14 I got from Mitsuo in April.
He's like, 92... order it and you'll be super glad you did. |
I have been emailing him every day on details. I'm super excited! |
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