| Author |
Topic: Stupid Question |
Ken Pippus
From:
Langford, BC, Canada
|
Posted 15 Mar 2007 6:48 am |
|
I'm an old banjo player recently diving into the steel thing. I've been playing a bunch of different non pedal axes, and I have the opportunity to pick up a pro quality E9 Single neck 3/4.
Now the stupid question: would it be a daunting task to switch this thing to C6 tuning, with which I am much more familiar, or should I bite the bullet and learn to play E9. My weakness is the jazzier end of Western Swing, and I'm thinking C6 might fit that better.
I appreciate any input.
KP |
|
|
 |
Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
|
Posted 15 Mar 2007 7:35 am
|
|
I have an S-10 C6 that started life as an E9. No, it's not a daunting task to 'have it done' but it might be a daunting task for 'you to do it', depending on your comfort ability in working on pedal steels. If you're mechanically inclined and want to tackle it yourself, you should be fine. Otherwise, there's lots of help around Colorado.
Good luck and have fun!
p.s. I should add that the 'stock' C6 setup has 5 floor pedals and really just 1 KL (though many players have extra KLs now). With only 3 pedals, you would probably end up moving some of the stock pedal functions to KLs (since you have 'extras' of those). So, yes, it can be done but, like some of the guys below suggest, you might just want to go a different route.
p.p.s. This is definitely not a 'stupid question'.
Last edited by Jim Cohen on 15 Mar 2007 5:44 pm; edited 2 times in total |
|
|
|
Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
|
Posted 15 Mar 2007 7:40 am
|
|
Well, you could switch that guitar over (it's got enough pedals), but it would be an awkward way to learn. And once you got used to that weird C6th pedal layout, anything more like the old standard 5+1 (or better) guitar setup would be very foreign to you. If you like the swing stuff, hold out for an S12 universal, or a D10 (which would give you the best of both worlds).
I always advise beginners to stick with something close to a standard tuning and pedal layout. It makes learning and playing other guitars (and having people play yours) far more practical. |
|
|
|
David Doggett
From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
|
Posted 15 Mar 2007 7:58 am
|
|
| Ken, on E9, if you hold down the A and B pedals it is an A6 neck. Some people play quite a bit of Western swing that way. However, the conventional way is on C6 or an E9/B6 universal. There is a good bit of instructional material for that, if you need it. As a novice steel machanic switching E9 to C6 the problem will be getting the action right. That requires getting the right bell crank slot and changer hole for each pull rod. An experienced pedal steel mechanic could do the job in half a day. But for a novice, it could take days or weeks. If you go that route, you can get some helpful information on bell crank slots and changer holes by looking at the standard C6 chart over on the Carter web site. This is not a job I would wish on a new pedal steel player. I would take Donny's suggestion and get a D10 or a universal. Then you've got a ready made conventional C6 neck, and you also can dabble with the E9 neck. |
|
|
|
David L. Donald
From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
|
Posted 15 Mar 2007 10:22 am
|
|
It might make sense to get a Uni 12,
and have that converted,
You will have all the levers and pedals you need.
_________________
DLD, Chili farmer. Plus bananas and papaya too.
Real happiness has no strings attached.
But pedal steels have many! |
|
|
|
J D Sauser
From:
Wellington, Florida
|
Posted 15 Mar 2007 12:28 pm
|
|
3 + 4 will give you all the hardware needed to have a killer C6th setup, which should allow you to even do things a traditional C6th set up unless it's played with both feet.
The ease of the making of will much depend on the brand and grade of the guitar. Some are extremely easy to work on to rewamp tunings and setups, some aren't.
... J-D. |
|
|
|
Dennis Schell
From:
Shingletown, Shasta county, Kalifornia
|
Posted 15 Mar 2007 12:30 pm
|
|
Hi Ken. I'm a newbie steeler too with many years of banjo, guitar, mandolin etc under (over?) the bridge. It's kinda frustrating at first to not be able to "think" a new tuning but iff'n I was you I'd just give that E9 a try for awhile. It'll come slowly and is as good as any a place to start IMHO. When I first started to mess with guitar as a youngster it was with an ax tuned to open E. I'm glad that after a couple months of interest I had an uncle who said WHOA! Let's get you started tuned to "normal". I'm not saying C6 is "abnormal" but it seems like E9 is a good place to "tee off" without going to the trouble of changing your copedent....
JMHO and good luck!
Dennis
BTW, I'm well past the half century mark and if this ol' dog can learn a new trick.... 
PS: DD your "A6" analogy was a cool tip! Got me thinkin' anyway...(smell the wood burning?  )
_________________
"Bucks Owin" |
|
|
|
Gene H. Brown
From:
Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada
|
Posted 15 Mar 2007 2:26 pm Stupid Question
|
|
Nothing to it, have to 5 string necks made and put Banjo tunings on it!! 
_________________
If You Keep Pickin That Thing, It'll Never Heal!
|
|
|
|
Papa Joe Pollick
From:
Swanton, Ohio
|
Posted 15 Mar 2007 3:29 pm
|
|
 Hey Ken,I've been kickin that idea around too.Looks like we both like the same music.My thoughts are to can that chromatic 2nd string and set up a E6th or E13th.Don't think it would be as much work as a complete change to C6th.Either tunning would be a great swing tunning.
Just a thought. PJ |
|
|
|
