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Topic: How long does it take you to tune? |
Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 16 Sep 2008 1:35 pm |
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We all know by now, that some of you prefer to tune with an electronic tuner while others more simply, by ear.
In one recent post someone mentioned how the steel player with his triple neck would get there an hour early in order to tune his rig.
I have several questions:
If you play any of the following, please indicate how much time is REQUIRED for YOU to tune-up and/or get in tune and whether you use or don't use, an electronic tuning device.
single neck lap steel
double neck steel, no pedals
triple neck steel, no pedals
four neck steel, no pedals
single neck steel with pedals
double neck steel with pedals
triple neck steel with pedals
four neck steel with pedals.
THANKS.......... |
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Michael Douchette
From:
Gallatin, TN (deceased)
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Bill Dobkins
From:
Rolla Missouri, USA
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Posted 16 Sep 2008 1:47 pm
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Mikey your there, your just not sure where.
_________________
Custom Rittenberry SD10
Boss Katana 100 Amp
Positive Grid Spark amp
BJS Bars
Z~Legend Pro,Custom Tele
Honor our Vet's.
Now pass the gravy. |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Hook Moore
From:
South Charleston,West Virginia
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Paul Wade
From:
mundelein,ill
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 16 Sep 2008 3:03 pm What I should'a said was...................
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I meant to include this in my original post but forgot to do so.
Most of us prefer to let the guitar aclimate to the environment of the club or hall......particularly during cold or damp weather. (15-30 minutes, +/-)
My tuning question should have been directed for after that time has elapsed.
I appreciate the responses thus far. |
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Karen Lee Steenwijk
From:
Pennsylvania
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Posted 16 Sep 2008 3:19 pm
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Guess I am "Lucky" it takes me two seconds! Hey Ron...My steels Out! 
Karen
_________________
Karen Kaylee <-- click
Kaylee Records
Nashville LTD SD-10 3x4,Fender Steelking,Sho-Bud pedal,Washburn 6-string,Morgan 6-string,Yamaha 6-string |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Posted 16 Sep 2008 3:54 pm
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| I like to play a few songs before I tune. |
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Bob Hickish
From:
Port Ludlow, Washington, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 16 Sep 2008 4:11 pm
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Yo ! Ray
If I get a chance , I check my tuning before I go to the gig , and once
there I have the rhythm guy play a couple cords and if it not to far apart
i will tweak as I go . or I get him to tweak his .
as far as acclamation, most places its set up and go - but i have set up
in the winter time as much as 4 or 5 hours before .
side note -- it don't help my playing any but the guitar works better .
b0b -- better yet - a couple song and then make them tune
Hick |
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Ben Lawson
From:
Brooksville Florida
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Posted 16 Sep 2008 4:31 pm
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| I started in 1970....I'll let you know when I'm done. |
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Twayn Williams
From:
Portland, OR
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Posted 16 Sep 2008 5:06 pm
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GFI S-10 Ultra, 3x4. Assuming I don't have to fine tune any of the pedals or levers, using an electronic tuner, about 30-45 seconds. If I have to fine tune any of the levers/pedals, from 2-4 minutes max. I tune straight up with the tuner on all the open strings, then I'll go through and fine tune all the 5ths and 4ths with various pedal/lever combos.
At a gig, I usually like to set my steel up and let it acclimate, but regardless, I'm usually touching up the tuning throughout the set.
_________________
Primitive Utility Steel |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 16 Sep 2008 6:04 pm Another good point...............
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I've had my Emmons since about 1972. Aside from one occasion wherein I moved the g'tar from a basement tile floor, to living room, plush pile rug, whereupon I proceeded to crank and crank every tunable knobbie or whatever......until it was hopelessly OUT OF TUNE, adjustment problems have been nil.
After the aforementioned incident, I've NEVER had to tune the individual pedals or anything connected thereto, except on rare occasions; new strings and the like.
Do you guys/gals tune these little thingies on a regular gig by gig basis? |
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Larry Bell
From:
Englewood, Florida
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Posted 16 Sep 2008 6:26 pm
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I don't
I CHECK the tuning on a regular basis. That takes a couple of minutes to check open strings and the most used pedals and levers. They're usually just fine but I owe it to the people listening and the other band folk to be to more or less standard pitch and in tune with myself (and hopefully the other instruments) before time to start.
I always do at least that at a gig. Rarely is anything further required.
_________________
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar'
2021 Rittenberry S/D-12 8x7, 1976 Emmons S/D-12 7x6, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Quilter ToneBlock 202 TT-12 |
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Charles Davidson
From:
Phenix City Alabama, USA
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Posted 16 Sep 2008 6:48 pm
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Ray,the guy I mentioned that showed up early to tune his triple neck Fender,this was back in the 50's,No tuners back then like we have now,Just an old upright piano to tune to.Today he could tune all three necks dead on in just a few minutes.DYKBC.
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Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC ! |
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Jerry Hayes
From:
Virginia Beach, Va.
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Posted 16 Sep 2008 6:57 pm
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Back when I was playing full time and leaving my steel at the club I'd always come in at least an hour early. Then I'd just uncover the steel and play along with the jukebox for at least 15 minutes before I even attempted to tune it. Nowadays it's mostly one nighters so after I bring in the steel I let it get adjusted to the atmosphere of the room a little and plunk on it a little and then with the electronic tuner it usually just takes a couple of minutes.........JH in Va.
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Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!! |
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Charles Davidson
From:
Phenix City Alabama, USA
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Posted 16 Sep 2008 7:11 pm
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Jerry,That's the way I do it.DYKBC.
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Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC ! |
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Joel Martin
From:
California, USA
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Posted 16 Sep 2008 9:56 pm
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By the time I get it all settled in tune and like the way it sounds, the gigs over!
_________________
1968 ZB D11
1965 Vibrolux Reverb |
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Frederic Mabrut
From:
Olloix, France
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Bill Ford
From:
Graniteville SC Aiken
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Posted 17 Sep 2008 4:53 am
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S12, 5+5, Korg DT-1 pro, first, I uncover everything, then warm the strings with my hands, then about 5 minutes or less. Don't know what it is, mine stays in Church 24/7, same spot,same temp +/- 5 deg,same cover, same everything. Sometime just a couple strings out, sometime can't seem to get it just right. I also have a practice rig in my music room, basically the same, temp varies more there.
Bill
_________________
Bill Ford S12 CLR, S12 Lamar keyless, Misc amps&toys Sharp Covers
Steeling for Jesus now!!! |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 17 Sep 2008 7:01 am
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Kline U-12
A few seconds to check the third string by ear. |
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Terry Wood
From:
Lebanon, MO
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Posted 17 Sep 2008 7:42 am
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First, I am pretty much with Bob on this one.
Next, I like to allow a little time for my steel to adjust to room or outside conditions, then I usually tune with an electronic tuner. However, I always check it by running a few riffs, play a tune or portion of tunes then, tune by ear the rest of the way. Then it's all history after that.
Note, I played a huge inside/outside type horse barn job for a millionaire Cowboy recently. Well, I fought the tuning for about first 15 minutes after we started. But it was also the first time that I had played my new 12 string keyless out on the job.
I prefer to play inside now and in a more controlled environment. But when I'm paid I will do the outside gigs.
Truthfully after 35 years, I find that most people don't know what we are playing anyhow. They still think it's a keyboard.
Finally, I really enjoyed freaking out the band and my niece with the keyless steel. It was the first time they ever saw one of those things. 
El Woodrow de Elementary Art Teacher
alias 12 string keyless or 14 string keyed player
of that thinga-ma-jig or machine! 
Terry Wood |
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Damien Odell
From:
Springwood, New South Wales, Australia
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Posted 17 Sep 2008 1:42 pm
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I have been playing for almost 4 years now....and I'm still sorting out the best way to tune each string.
Just when I think it's sorted I find that if I flatten this or raise that a touch then it sweetens things up.
I can usually do a quick re-tune between songs if something is out.... |
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Barry Blackwood
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Posted 17 Sep 2008 2:43 pm
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Long enough to annoy the rest of the band, who never seem to realize we have many more strings to contend with, not to mention the pedals.  |
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