| Visit Our Catalog at SteelGuitarShopper.com |

Post new topic How many players use Jules Ah See C13?
Goto page 1, 2  Next
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  How many players use Jules Ah See C13?
Mike Neer


From:
NJ
Post  Posted 23 Jan 2023 10:28 am    
Reply with quote

I’m doing a little headcount here. I would really like to help build those numbers up. I think it is one of the most versatile and useful tunings and I have some really cool techniques I’ve developed that I’d like to teach, especially in the chordal department. They are game changers, especially for those interested in Blues and Jazz. For guitarists, there is a great opportunity to comp chords as if you are playing your guitar. Also, you can play pianistically.

In case you’re not sure, Jules Ah See C13 is an 8 string tuning.
E
C
A
G
E
C
Bb
C
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Jim Mckay

 

From:
New Zealand
Post  Posted 23 Jan 2023 10:45 am    
Reply with quote

Yep.C13 is my bread and butter tuning. Use to have G on the bottom then changed to the low C. Smile
_________________
Canopus d-8
Excel Jerry Byrd frypan
T-8 Stringmaster
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Levi Gemmell

 

From:
New Zealand
Post  Posted 23 Jan 2023 12:47 pm    
Reply with quote

+1. I started out with the Jerry Byrd C6/A7 but settled on the Jules C13 a couple years back.
_________________
Commodore S-8
John Allison S-8
JB Frypan S-8
Sho~Bud LDG SD-10
1966 Fender Super Reverb
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Duane Becker

 

From:
Elk,Wa 99009 USA
Post  Posted 23 Jan 2023 4:51 pm    
Reply with quote

For Hawaiian steel, I use only the Jules C13 as well as his tuning for the B11. Its the perfect combo for Hawaiian Steel. After wondering for years how in the world Jules played those chords with the bass notes-using those two tunings-especially the C13 I found the answer.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Jack Hanson


From:
San Luis Valley, USA
Post  Posted 23 Jan 2023 4:57 pm    
Reply with quote

Is that the one that Gabby used?
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Aaron Clinton


From:
Calgary, AB
Post  Posted 23 Jan 2023 5:32 pm    
Reply with quote

I had it on a Fender 400 for quite awhile last year. I like to use it when I have to play horn lines. I would gladly put it back on.
_________________
and don't forget to boogie!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Jim Fogarty


From:
Phila, Pa, USA
Post  Posted 23 Jan 2023 7:01 pm    
Reply with quote

I had been hooked on High G C6, but I strung up a steel with this Jules C13 and am starting to like and appreciate it.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Dave Mudgett


From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
Post  Posted 23 Jan 2023 9:16 pm    
Reply with quote

Mike, just since I got that Clinesmith D10 from you, but of course I have a couple of extra notes. I do tend to miss the high G or D on the 8-string, but on the 10-string, I have, lo-hi, C G Bb C E G A C E G/D on the back neck. For blues, I like the high 5th tone because it mimics my favorite slide guitar tunings. But I like the high 2nd for its melodic possibilities, much as I use it for E9 pedal steel. The low power chords on the bottom two strings are good for the guitarist in me. Or I could forego the low G and do both E9 pedal steel-style re-entrant 7 and 2 tones on string 2 and 1, respectively. That would give the pure Jules C13 on the bottom 8. Still working this out.

The other thing with that back neck tuning above is that the standard pedal steel C6 tuning - lo-hi C F A C E G A C E G/D - is a trivial re-tuning of strings 8 and 9 away.

I'm sort of tempted to try these same intervals, but with an E tuning root. A guitarist thing, I guess, not to mention Don Helms on Hank tunes.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Frank Welsh

 

From:
Upstate New York, USA
Post  Posted 24 Jan 2023 5:39 am    
Reply with quote

C13th on inside neck and B11th on the outside neck of my D8. Sometimes I go from one neck to the other on a song just to add some different colors.

On a single neck C13th would be my first choice.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Tom Snook

 

From:
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA
Post  Posted 24 Jan 2023 7:15 am    
Reply with quote

What would be the best string guages for me to put C13 on my 8 string?
Mahalo
_________________
I wanna go back to my little grass shack........
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Peter Krebs


From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
Post  Posted 24 Jan 2023 9:53 am    
Reply with quote

Is there a way to apply the ‘best parts’ of this C13 tuning to a six string? And… would a 7-string in C13 (with the Bb in the bass) lose some of the magic? Thanks for any insights. Pete
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Mike Neer


From:
NJ
Post  Posted 24 Jan 2023 10:21 am    
Reply with quote

Many of my discoveries on C13 have been as a result of many years of playing guitar before ever even knowing what a steel guitar is. So I have certain needs that I have to have met in order to feel complete as a player. I am not the type to sit and wait for my part to come up—I like to be active in the music all the time.

So doing things like comping chords in the guitar’s lower range, particularly for swing, blues, R&B and rock and roll, are really important to me. This may not interest all players, but I don’t think I’m alone with this. I like to comp for others, or for my own vocals, or even just play in a pianistic way for solo playing (you don’t want to tick off the bass player). So I dug around and tried a lot of things, even inventing a technique I call string-pushing. The music I am playing today has more in common with stride piano than it does Hawaiian steel to be honest, but maybe that gap will be bridged someday.

As far as string gauges, that really depends on the scale length of your instrument. I use C6 pedal steel string sets on my long scale steels. For shorter scale I would go a little heavier—maybe. I haven’t had a short scale 8 string in many years.

As far as a shortened version of C13, C6 needs to come first, everything else is icing. So the basic C6 or C6/A7 is a prerequisite. For 7 strings, there are other possibilities, but for C13, losing the low C in the JAS C13 would eliminate the type of playing I am alluding to. However, as a consolation, there is a TON of stuff you can do with 7 string with low Bb. For one, it gives another pair of strings that are a 6th apart, for a total of 4 string sets a 6th apart. It is incredible what you can do with that, particularly if you are into blues and jump and even country soul. I spent a year on that alone aspect alone.

I have to add that I grew tired of having two necks and really wanted to be able to play everything on one. I feel like it was the best decision I ever made because I know the neck inside and out now. I am comfortable in a lot of tunings, but not like I am with C13. Another great thing is the simple ability to lower string 7 to A—not necessarily for minor chords, either. Those I can play with C13 using technique. But I can play cool rhythm patterns that are tough with C13.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links


Last edited by Mike Neer on 30 Jan 2023 5:55 am; edited 1 time in total
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Nic Neufeld


From:
Kansas City, Missouri
Post  Posted 24 Jan 2023 1:08 pm    
Reply with quote

Peter Krebs wrote:
Is there a way to apply the ‘best parts’ of this C13 tuning to a six string? And… would a 7-string in C13 (with the Bb in the bass) lose some of the magic? Thanks for any insights. Pete


Since I approach the steel in a more "play Hawaiian music, predominantly in Hawaii Calls style" kind of way, compared to Mike, who is using Jules tuning to explore his own, wild and interesting stuff (hat is off!) I can at least say from a Hawaiian music perspective, sure you can use C13 on a six string. Just flat the low C and remember it is down there, don't go for a big sweet 6th chord strum and hit the b7 accidentally! Alan Akaka charts a lot of tunes in this tuning, since so many students are on 6 string. There are some disadvantages...you can do some cool slants on the low strings when you have the C in there too (5-6-7 string straight bar on a fret to get a nice sweet dominant7 chord, then do a forward 2 fret slant in place to resolve to the one...5th string up one fret, 6th in place, 7th down one fret).

My second favorite would be the 7 string version like you mention. Only magic it loses is the low bass which can sound really nice on a Barney Isaacs or Jules style intro. I have a .070 on my low C (long scale Clinesmith) and I love it, deep and full. I've done some gigs solo (more just ambience) and I like the fullness it gives me without a bass player. You can overuse it of course, its just a nice little extra. Ideally with an amp with some bass response!

In answer to the overall question yep I'm another primary C13 player. B11 I like to play in as well, but not as fluent in it. I can play songs in B11, eg. things I've worked out and learned, I can more just -play- if that makes sense in C13.
_________________
Waikīkī, at night when the shadows are falling
I hear the rolling surf calling
Calling and calling to me
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Dave Mudgett


From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
Post  Posted 24 Jan 2023 1:09 pm    
Reply with quote

Quote:
... So doing things like comping chords in the guitar’s lower range, particularly for swing, blues, R&B and rock and roll, are really important to me. This may not interest all players, but I don’t think I’m alone with this. ...

You're not alone. 55+ years of playing guitar, there are situations where I want to be able to properly comp without making excuses due to the limitations of the tuning's low end. With 8 strings, I have generally made the compromise to get more on the low end and forego the highest notes.

I'm trying to put together a project that mixes swing, blues, jump blues, R&B, and country, the latter especially focusing on Texas-style shuffles. The guy that I played with for 12 years in blues and bluegrass bands will be playing guitar, and he can cover a lot of ground. But I want to be able to support him without the bottom dropping out while he is taking breaks or backing off while singing. So the low-string comping is essential. And I really don't want to have to switch to guitar. That would be the easy way for me, but I don't think I'll be satisfied with losing the steel. The steel and fiddle will be what makes this band unique, around here anyway. Maybe not in Texas, ha!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Jim Fogarty


From:
Phila, Pa, USA
Post  Posted 24 Jan 2023 4:57 pm    
Reply with quote

Tom Snook wrote:
What would be the best string guages for me to put C13 on my 8 string?
Mahalo


These are perfect:

https://www.steelguitarshopper.com/JP-7680/
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Jim Newberry


From:
Seattle, Upper Left America
Post  Posted 24 Jan 2023 9:15 pm    
Reply with quote

As another Alan Akaka student and Jules fanboy, I use this C13 primarily.
_________________
"The Masher of Touch and Tone"

-1950 Fender Dual Pro 8
-1950's Fender Dual Pro 6
-Clinesmith D8
-Clinesmith 8-string Frypan
-Clinesmith Joaquin
-~1940 National New Yorker
-~1936 Rickenbacher B6
-Homebuilt Amps
View user's profile Send private message
David Matzenik


From:
Cairns, on the Coral Sea
Post  Posted 24 Jan 2023 9:55 pm    
Reply with quote

I don't play JAS C13th, but if someone, not naming names, were to offer an instruction book, I'd buy it.
_________________
Don't go in the water after lunch. You'll get a cramp and drown. - Mother.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Joe Cook


From:
Lake Osoyoos, WA
Post  Posted 25 Jan 2023 2:32 am    
Reply with quote

I use C13 tuning with low G on 8 string. I need to try Jules tuning, though. I like Jerry Byrds C6/A7 for six strings as well. These two tunings seem so natural for me I just concentrate on them now along with the lovely B11 on my D8. I will definitely try the low C.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Andy Volk


From:
Boston, MA
Post  Posted 25 Jan 2023 3:21 am    
Reply with quote

I most often gravitate to my 6-string guitars but when I play 8-string C6th/C13th variations I use ....

C Bb C E G A C E

F A C E G A C E

G Bb C E G A C E
_________________
Steel Guitar Books! Website: www.volkmediabooks.com
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Zoots Houston

 

From:
Kingston, NY
Post  Posted 25 Jan 2023 7:29 am    
Reply with quote

I typically play E9 pedal steel, but my lap steel has been tuned very similarly to JAS for over a year now. I use an F instead of a low C. I like all the 6-string C6 literature being available for the top six strings and using the bottom two strings for expanded chord vocabulary. That low C does seem tempting though
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
David M Brown


From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 25 Jan 2023 7:46 am    
Reply with quote

Although I spend a lot of time on A6 and other tunings,
I've been using both regular 6 string C6 and the Jules Ah See 8 string tuning...and really liking the sounds.

Thanks for all the tips.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Jim Kaznosky

 

From:
New Jersey, USA
Post  Posted 25 Jan 2023 10:15 am    
Reply with quote

C6 player dabbling in C6/A7. I plan to go full on Jules once my 8-string arrives. If your selling, I'm buying especially with comping. This is my bread and butter on guitar 90% of the time and I'd love to get good enough at it where I can bring a few instruments to a gig.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Peter Schilske


From:
Germany
Post  Posted 25 Jan 2023 12:10 pm     Re: How many players use Jules Ah See C13?
Reply with quote

Mike Neer:I’m doing a little headcount here. I would really like to help build those numbers up. I think it is one of the most versatile and useful tunings and I have some really cool techniques I’ve developed that I’d like to teach, especially in the chordal department. They are game changers, especially for those interested in Blues and Jazz. For guitarists, there is a great opportunity to comp chords as if you are playing your guitar. Also, you can play pianistically.

Thanks Mike. I tried this tuning today. Just what I am interested in. Great inspiration. I used a wound 62 on the low end C, but it is a little bit sloopy...
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Ethan Shaw

 

From:
Texas, USA
Post  Posted 26 Jan 2023 10:22 am    
Reply with quote

I use that tuning a decent amount. I love that low C! Another famous recording it was used on was Hillbillies From Outerspace, played by Jimmie Vaughan. He told me he learned it from Jerry Byrd.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Joe Cook


From:
Lake Osoyoos, WA
Post  Posted 26 Jan 2023 4:26 pm    
Reply with quote

Thanks for that info, Ethan. I always liked that tune on Family Style.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  
Please review our Forum Rules and Policies
Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction, and steel guitar accessories
www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

The Steel Guitar Forum
148 S. Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA 95425 USA

Click Here to Send a Donation

Email SteelGuitarForum@gmail.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for Band-in-a-Box
by Jim Baron