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Topic: Need Help With Dobro Tuning for a PSG player |
Matthew Prouty
From:
Warsaw, Poland
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Posted 10 Jul 2008 12:42 pm |
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I play both the C6th and E9th tuning on my PSG. I want to include some dobro on some of the songs our band does but don't really have the time to devote to learning the dobro G tuning (which has seemed to always escape me). I am really only looking to play some fills and solos. I tried the C6th tuning for the Dobro and it was ok but it really was not what I was looking for, I guess it was the string gauges.
Thus ruling out (for the time being) G Tuning and C tuning I am thinking about an E tuning. Is there anyone out there that can recommend a good E tuning. I want to keep the strings as fat as possible so it has the tone of a dobro but with the ease of playing an E tuning.
m. |
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Jim Eaton
From:
Santa Susana, Ca
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Posted 10 Jul 2008 1:35 pm
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E-G#-B-E-G#-B, all the same intervals as standard Dobro G tuning, but it gives you the same chords on the neck placement as E9th with no pedals.
E open, A at 5th fret, B at 7th fret.
By sticking with the same intervals, you can use any Dobro instructional materials and learn patterns, licks, etc. and just be playing them in a different key that where they are written, but it will show you how to "think like a dobro player".
JE:-)> |
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Dave Harmonson
From:
Seattle, Wa
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Posted 10 Jul 2008 1:41 pm
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| You could go with E B E G# B E (low to high) which is the same voicing as the most common D tuning or try E G# B E G# B (also low to high) which is the same voicing as standard dobro G tuning. The first one you could get by with the same guages, but the low E could probably be a little bigger the middle might need to be a bit smaller and the top E you might need a little smaller. That being said why not try the standard G B D G B D. It really is a versitile tuning and can work for all kinds of styles of playing. I've raised the middle D to E for a 6th tuning at times, but I think that it works better having 7 or 8 strings so you can have the D and E. |
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Matthew Prouty
From:
Warsaw, Poland
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Posted 10 Jul 2008 1:42 pm
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| Jim thanks! I had not thought of that possibility. I am going to gets some different gauge strings and try it out. |
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D Schubert
From:
Columbia, MO, USA
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Posted 10 Jul 2008 1:49 pm
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It is very common to use standard reso strings (0.016" and up) for these tunings on a Dobro. In fact, you can toggle from one to another between songs if needed.
lo-bass G.....DGDGBD......515135
D.............DADF#AD.....151351
D6/Bm7........DADF#BD.....151361
So, with medium acoustic guitar gages (0.013" to 0.056") you could try out these tunings that are a whole step higher.
lo-bass A.....EAEAC#A......515135
E.............EBEG#BE......151351
E6/C#m7.......EBEG#C#E.....151361
If you decided on these tunings, you could adjust string gages as needed, heavier on top and lighter on the bottom.
Lots of traditional Dobro licks, grips, and slants are based on the 135 note cluster, whether it's on the first three strings or on 2nd-3rd-4th strings. That's accessible in G, D, E, or A.
If you are comfortable in E because you play E9th PSG, don't forget that A tuning has a similar parallel to your PSG, if the the A and B pedals are mashed down. |
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Matthew Prouty
From:
Warsaw, Poland
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Posted 10 Jul 2008 1:54 pm
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| Yeah I was considering an A7 or E7 tuning. Wish there was an easy way to switch between tunings fast and not go thru a bunch of strings |
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