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Topic: Getting my first lap - tuning suggestions? |
Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 19 Sep 2005 7:38 pm |
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This is my first post in the "no peddlers". I'm a pedal steel player who's delving into the lap steel. I'm getting a '50's National 6-string. I'm unsure as to which tuning I should use. I want to use it at gigs for some of the stuff that doesn't fit the pedals, like Chuck Berry tunes and some other rockier stuff.
I want to find a tuning suitable for rock and roll (and more aggressive country rock), and an instructional guide for this tuning.
Bring it on, boys.......I need all the advice I can get here. Playing without pedals got me a little nervous.  |
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Dom Franco
From:
Beaverton, OR, 97007
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Posted 19 Sep 2005 11:02 pm
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I play a lot of rock and A6th works great for me. Low to high C# E F# A C# E of course you will have to make up your own set of strings, a standard guitar set won't work for the lower strings.
With a sixth tuning you can play a lot of bluesy jazzy licks that work well over rock chord changes. And you have all the minor chords available without slanting the bar.
Others may suggest a simple open E or A tuning, and that will work great as well, but you will have to work a bit for those minor intervals.
Dom Franco |
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Keith Cordell
From:
San Diego
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Posted 20 Sep 2005 3:09 am
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| If you want to use a tuning that requires an unusual string set, contact b0b for the gauges. He has been very helpful when I have called on him for assistance with the sacred steel tunings, and I have my own set he makes up for me when I need them. |
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Andre Nizzari
From:
Bronx, NY
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Posted 20 Sep 2005 3:26 am
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I like simple tunings like open D and E for blues and rock n roll. A & G are good too, but D & E have a darker and meaner sound. You can play Hawaiian music too with these tunings. low bass A & E are earlier tunings.
This place: http://juststrings.com/ sell seperate strings so you can make you own personal set of strings.
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http://www.andreandthenighthounds.com/
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 20 Sep 2005 3:36 am
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| Thanks for the tips, boys. Has anyone used the Dewitt Scott book for learning lap, and if so, is it any good? I'd like to have some kind of guide to get me started. |
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Terry Farmer
From:
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
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Posted 20 Sep 2005 5:15 am
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| Go with Cindy Cashdollar's DVDs. Best I've tried! |
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 20 Sep 2005 9:41 am
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Chris, for rock & blues type stuff E (EBEG#BE) or low bass G (DGDGBD) tunings are a good place to start. Low bass A (EAEAC#E) is a whole step up from the G tuning, and it can easily retuned from the E tuning. See tunings.
Arlen Roth has a video that teaches lap steel using E and G tunings (he uses high bass G).
His video focuses more on rock & blues than most of the others that are available.
The Dewitt Scott book is excellent,it uses C6 tuning. The Jerry Byrd Course and his Video Workshop are the best, teaching a number of tunings. Neither one of these focuses on hard blues or rock style.
Cindy's videos (or DVDs) are awesome, focusing on Western Swing style with 8 string steel in high C6 tuning.
Herb Remington's videos have a lot to offer you won't find anywhere else. He uses A6 and other tunings and teaches some great old tunes.
Bobbe Seymour has 2 great non-pedal videos that use a cool C6/FM7 tuning. Real nice stuff.
and Bob Brozman's Hawaiian style DVD is a real eye-opener. He uses low bass G.
RA |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 20 Sep 2005 3:23 pm
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| Lots to consider here.......thanks a lot guys. I just got the steel.......it's a 1962 National, white pearloid-type body. Looks and sounds great for what I'm doing. It's actually in unplayed condition. Been in the case since 1962; it might have the original strings on it. I don't think I'll leave them on there..... |
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 20 Sep 2005 10:55 pm
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Chris, does it have the string-through pickup?
Can you post a pic? |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 21 Sep 2005 8:14 am
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Rick,
It does have the string-through pickup, if you mean that the strings go in between the pickup and a black covering that's bolted down. I'll try to post some pics later today...I have to figure out how, and this is a good time. |
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Russ Tkac
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Posted 21 Sep 2005 1:49 pm
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Tune it to E. Listen to "Red neck friend" by Jackson Browne and get that "Lindley tone!"
Russ
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 21 Sep 2005 2:11 pm
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Chris, that sounds like it. Those pickups kick butt, for rock & blues stuff they can't be beat. Supros.
Russ is giving you some real good advice - E is a good rock tuning, and Redneck Friend is one of the coolest songs in existence.
The Arlen Roth video shows a lot of great licks in E tuning. |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 21 Sep 2005 8:14 pm
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Rick,
I was just looking at your site......man, some mighty fine axes on there! That Gibson Console Grand is a real showstopper....
I found a pic online of a National that's identical to mine:
http://www.folkwaymusic.com/instruments/resonators.html
The only difference is that mine has the National headstock sticker intact, and it's spotless. Same year and everything.
Do you know much about this particular model?
Russ, I really like David Lindley's playing on the Jackson Browne stuff - I must check out this tune.[This message was edited by Chris LeDrew on 21 September 2005 at 09:18 PM.] |
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Russ Tkac
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Posted 22 Sep 2005 4:16 am
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Chris,
If you get a chance, check out "Mercury Blues" off Lindley's first album "El Rayo-X."
Now, that's what I'm talkin' about!
Russ |
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