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Topic: Design project, cant decide, 6 or 7 strings |
Kevin Brown
From:
England
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Posted 5 Sep 2006 3:28 am |
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| My biggest headache on a home build project that I am setting up is number of strings, I have borrowed a 7 string and enjoy the full complement of an extended c6th, plus I like the neck width, not to different from my 6 string, I'd really appreciate feedback from players with more experience than myself, should I go with 7, (not ready for 8, does my brain in a bit) |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 5 Sep 2006 3:38 am
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If you go with seven you will not be sorry. I personally prefer 7 myself, and have converted a number of guitars for people who wanted their instruments made into a 7 from a 6. Of course it will be a stepping stone to eight strings later as you progress with your playing, if that is where you want to go.
My Hawaiian friends like seven, and in the C6th tuning they and I use a B flat on the seventh string, which is C13th then I believe. The seventh chord comes in handy , for me at least. |
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Kevin Brown
From:
England
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Posted 5 Sep 2006 4:57 am
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| Thanks Bill, I like the idea of that 7th too, hopefully we'll get a few more views here |
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Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
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Posted 5 Sep 2006 5:24 am
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I've been drooling over Loni's 7-string Lapdancer guitars for several years now, unfortunately there's always been someone else who's been ready to grab my money when I've had some to spend (so far)..
Since I'm basically a major tuning player, I'd probably use it to add a 3rd in the bass register of open-D, as in highbass-G, or perhaps add a 2nd somewhere..
Steinar
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"Play to express, not to impress"
www.gregertsen.com
Southern Moon Northern Lights
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Billy Gilbert
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 5 Sep 2006 5:34 am
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Build an 8 string and leave a string off until you are ready for it.  Billy |
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Danny James
From:
Summerfield Florida USA
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Posted 5 Sep 2006 5:52 am
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I did what Billy suggests on the guitar that I built. I built it for 8 strings, but right now I'm set up to use only 6 strings A major Low Bass. It also has E,--C6th--and A6th tunings because of the changer I built for it.
Later on I plan to set it up to use 7 or 8 strings and probably go to a C6th or B11th tuning. Because of the tuning changer, I don't know what other tunings I may put on it as well.
It's easier to make a 6 string out of one that's set up for 8, than to make an 8 string out of one built to have only 6 strings.[This message was edited by Danny James on 05 September 2006 at 06:55 AM.] |
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Kevin Ruddell
From:
Toledo Ohio USA
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Posted 5 Sep 2006 4:47 pm
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| I love the Blattenberger 7 string guitar I have and was just playing it today . At the moment I'm using an E7 tuning with a low E but it works great for the Jerry Byrd C6/A7 and it's only a few string retunings away from A6 |
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Kevin Brown
From:
England
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Posted 5 Sep 2006 10:11 pm
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Thanks guys, defo 7 then, I'll use a 9 mill nut spacing with 3/8 at the bridge, I like a slight taper, a la dynamic etc.
Kevin would you be kind enough to give me your arrangement of the E7th and C6th/A7th tunings.
My thanks in advance |
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Kevin Ruddell
From:
Toledo Ohio USA
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Posted 6 Sep 2006 1:40 am
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lo to hi
AC#EGACE for the Jerry Byrd C6/A7
AC#EF#AC#E for A6 Santo and Johnny stuff
EBDEG#BE for the E7 tuning
have fun |
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Øystein Røysi
From:
Trondheim, Norway
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Posted 6 Sep 2006 4:24 am
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Kevin R,
What sort of gauges do you use for those tunings? I, also, have an urge to build a 7-string lap steel, and your tunings seemed nice...
Øystein
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- Gold Tone Solid Spruce Weissenborn (D)
- National Dynamic (A6)
- Fender SRV Strat
- Ayers Acoustic
- Koch Twintone II
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Kevin Ruddell
From:
Toledo Ohio USA
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Posted 6 Sep 2006 5:14 pm
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| When I string up my Fender Dual 8 with it's 22.5" inch scale it sounds better with thicker strings 17 -19- 24 - 28 - 32 - 38 - 44 - 54. The Rex Blattenberger 7 string I have is his standard 24.25" scale length although Rex will make the scale you request if you want it different. I go a little lighter with string guages on that slightly longer scale 7 string guitar 16-18-22-26-30-36-42. I really like the GHS roller wound ( think semi-flat ) nickel strings from Scotty's . Lee Jeffries recommended them and they're an excellent string for me, thanks Lee ! |
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Ron Randall
From:
Dallas, Texas, USA
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Posted 6 Sep 2006 8:14 pm
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There will come a time when you wish you had 8 and then 10 strings, maybe 12.
The 7 string will give you plenty of enjoyment for a long time. |
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Øystein Røysi
From:
Trondheim, Norway
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Posted 6 Sep 2006 11:28 pm
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Kevin R,
That's excellent advice. Thank you!
BTW, have anyone tried the S I T Semi-Flat strings they have on JustStrings.com? They're supposed to be lap steel strings, and designed for less bar and finger noise... I'm a bit curious...
Øystein
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- Gold Tone Solid Spruce Weissenborn (D)
- National Dynamic (A6)
- Fender SRV Strat
- Ayers Acoustic
- Koch Twintone II
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