stringing up a sixth tuning on a dobro

Kevin Ruddell · From: Toledo Ohio USA

I recently bought a Beard Gold tone and it's a step or three up from the starter asian Regal I began with. I don't play the G Bluegrass tuning so I put strings on for a C6 tuning and it sounded .... thin. The guages were 14, 18 , 22 , 26 , 32, and 36. I really didn't want to go much thicker on the guages, esp. the bottom 3 strings because of tension downward on the bridge and cone. Has anyone else tried a Bb6 tuning on their resonator ? As I soon as I restrung the guitar to a standard G tuning the guitar seems to sound so much better. I restrung with the Beard strings that came on the guitar , which are heavier than most other manufacturers reso sets. I removed the bottom heavy G string , moved the B and D string to the 6th and 5th string position, and added a 32 on the 4th string spot. If I tune it to lo-hi B , D , F , G , Bb , D ... I get the C6/A7 tuning except one whole step lower. It seems to work / sound fine , plus I can easily retune to B D E G B D for G6 tuning with the fifth tone on the top string. or BDEG#BE for the E7 tuning. Any thoughts on this topic ?

[This message was edited by Kevin Ruddell on 28 April 2006 at 01:06 PM.]

Ambrose Verdibello · From: New York, USA

I do this also (on an 8 string so I can still keep the low G string). Moving between Bb6 and G6 just requires retuning 2 strings - one up a half step (Bb to B) and the other down a half step (F to E) so string gauges work out fine. I tend to play it more in the G6 tuning even though I'm more familiar with C6 and C6/A7 from lap playing. It's a really versatile setup.

[This message was edited by Ambrose Verdibello on 28 April 2006 at 07:18 AM.]

HowardR · From: N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville

I've gone that route also. I prefer the G based tunings for acoustic as opposed to the C tunings. Again, the difference in tone.

Nathan Hernandez · From: Riverside, California, USA

I converted my reso to 8 strings and use the C6 with a g on top, so I can switch back and forth from my electric easy. I am considering going to an E6. Is it that the C6 is to bright???

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

I caught on to this a few years back. I too use a standard set of Dobro strings but tune down the standard C6th intervals to Bb6 or A6th. I can also easily get D major or DADGAD - which are my standard reso tunings.

Earnest Bovine · From: Los Angeles CA USA

Kevine, I got a thin sound too at first but fatter strings seem to help a lot.
I'm no reso guitar expert but here is what I've found.

The D'Addario Phosphor Bronze set is:



D  .016


B  .018


G  .026


D  .035


B  .045


G  .056

You can interpolate to choose gauges for your own tuning. For example, my tuning would give:



D  .016


E  .015


C  .018 p


A  .024 w


G  .026


E  .0314


C# .0383


A  .0501

I round the last 3 up to a thicker string because:
1. Beard & Auldridge suggest heavier
2. I will sometimes tune the lowest two down to C and G
3. .038 and .050 are not available in D'Addario phosphor bronze

So I use



D  .016


E  .015


C  .018 p


A  .024 w


G  .026


E  .032


C# .039


A  .052

One source for the single strings is: http://www.juststrings.com/acousticphosphorbronzedaddarioguitarsinglestrings.html

Tom Taylor · From: San Antonio, Texas, USA

I user a C6 Tuning on my Dobro (G tuning on my Wechter Scheerhorn), and use heavier gauge strings, and they sound good. I order them as singles from juststrings.com. Here's what I use, low to high.

C (44w) - E (34w) - G (28w) - A (24w) - C (1 Cool

- E (16)

This set sounds crisp acoustically - really makes the Hounddog sing.

------------------
OMI Original Hound Dog Dobro,
Remington Playboy 8 String

D Schubert · From: Columbia, MO, USA

I've tried two different G sixth tunings on my Dobro, using a standard set with an added 0.032 for a "middle E". Don't like the sound or feel of lighter strings & higher tuning on a reso. Not substantial enough.

This one loses the low G and has more potential for retuning as mentioned above...

D .016
B .018
G .026
E .032
D .035
B .045

This one loses the low B and keeps the root in the bass. I'm using it right now, because it's a little stronger for rhythm.

D .016
B .018
G .026
E .032
D .035
G .056

Robert Momot · From: Farmington, Missouri, USA

What would be the string gauges for a E13 tuning,I am using a G6 tuning for now but would like to try E13.

Nathan Hernandez · From: Riverside, California, USA

heres an E13, these are electric guages
1.E 014
2.C# 017
3.B 020
4.G# 024w
5.E 030w
6.D 034w
7.B 038w
8.G# 046w

Charles Davidson · From: Phenix City Alabama, USA

I use the standard G tuning on my Dobro,DBGDBG,to change to G6th tuning just tune the 4th string D to E.

Rick Schmidt · From: Prescott AZ, USA

On my el cheapo rezo w/ Trilogy bridge, I use this Gmin7(Bb6) as one of my main settings. Great for jazz, blues, and swing. (For my own tastes, I always liked tuning my lap steel to Amin7 rather than the usual C6. I like the lower range.) I can still go between open G and D tunings pretty easily with just a little re-adjustment using this setup.

Low to high: G-Bb-D-F-G-Bb

Somtimes I'll raise the low Bb up a half or raise the low G to G#

(If anybody is interested in my Trilogy settings, I'd be happy to email them)

John Soper · From: North Carolina, USA

How about just modifying a G-B-D X 2 standard dobro to a D6: F#-B-D X 2 or raising everything up a full step to an E6? Standard string guages should work & you can pop in & out of a Dobro-esq tuning...

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