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Topic: Who tunes ET ? |
John Steele (deceased)
From:
Renfrew, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 9 Nov 2009 1:57 pm |
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First of all, this is not a debate, just a fact finding mission.
A couple of weeks ago a well respected steel player I know was moved to the brink of apoplexy when he learned that I didn't discourage a student of mine who wanted to tune to Equal Temperament. I found it kinda comical. Anyway, his statement was: "There are only, like, 6 people in the entire world who tune their steel ET".
Without an explanation as to why, or a debate, I'm asking for a show of hands.
I'll be the first to raise my hand. Who are the other five ?
- John |
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Lee Baucum
From:
McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier
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Posted 9 Nov 2009 2:15 pm
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I tried it in one band I played in and it worked just fine. My chords seemed to blend well with the keyboard and the guitar player's guitars. I couldn't stand practicing at home tuned that way, though.
I've never liked tuning my guitar using JI. I now split the difference between ET and JI. That seems to work best for my ears. |
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Cal Sharp
From:
the farm in Kornfield Kounty, TN
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Posted 9 Nov 2009 2:27 pm
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There's a guy in Nashville who is (or was) doing a solo gig at the Country Music Hall of Fame, kind of a demo thing I guess, and he tuned so the guitar was in tune with itself. But when he plays with a band he tunes closer to ET.
_________________
C#
Me: Steel Guitar Madness
Latest ebook: Steel Guitar Insanity
Custom Made Covers for Steel Guitars & Amps at Sharp Covers Nashville |
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Jim Mathis
From:
Overland Park, Kansas, USA
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Posted 9 Nov 2009 3:13 pm
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I always tuned JI because that is what Jeff Newman told me to do. Recently I started tuning ET and it seems to sound better with the band. I don't see it as a big issue either way.
_________________
Jim@MathisPhoto.net |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 9 Nov 2009 3:14 pm
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| If I had to tune ET, I'd probably quit playing. |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 9 Nov 2009 3:31 pm
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I always tuned JI till I started playing with my classical music trio. I call it "my trio" but the violist is really the leader. She put it together, and invited me to be a part of it. (Lucky me.)
She knows WAY more about music than me, and she has far more experience than I ever will. I do what she tells me, and she told me to tune ET.
I have to admit, I blend better with the other 2 players tuned this way.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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Kenneth Farrow
From:
Alaska, USA
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Posted 9 Nov 2009 4:49 pm tuning: ET vs JT
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Suggest that you post one of those horizontal bar graphs seen from time to time on the forum to determine numbers--put me on the "straight up" bar.
ken in Alaska |
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Ken Metcalf
From:
San Antonio Texas USA
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Posted 9 Nov 2009 4:52 pm
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Several wise men told me tune JI at home but with a band it is good to tune more to ET.
Of course I never listen to those crazy old coots.
    
_________________
MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes |
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Jim Peters
From:
St. Louis, Missouri, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 9 Nov 2009 4:59 pm
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I tune all my strings and changes straight up 440. I have trouble being in tune above the 10th fret or so, especially in the last set when I get tired,but it is my lack of practice, not ET. Sometimes I will tune my E's a very tiny bit sharp, it helps with the cab. drop on the A-F combo. JP
_________________
Carter,PV,Fender |
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Ernie Renn
From:
Brainerd, Minnesota USA
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Posted 9 Nov 2009 5:00 pm
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My hand is raised with yours, John. I did tune the thirds slightly flat for a while to get used to it, but now if they're not closer to straight up, they sound flat. Buddy told me once a long while ago, flat is flat. 
_________________
My best,
Ernie
www.BuddyEmmons.com |
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Al Miller
From:
Waxahachie Texas
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Posted 9 Nov 2009 5:06 pm Tuner
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I wish the tuner had never been invented
give me a tuning fork and my ear any day.
_________________
AL (BOO) Miller
Mullen D10
76 Emmons P/P
2022 65 Emmons Resound P/P D10 |
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Larry Bressington
From:
Nebraska
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Posted 9 Nov 2009 5:47 pm
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I tune 441hz on the F#, B AND E's, then 339hz on the rest, i go 338hz on E raise.
I tried the 'straight up method' but it took me few years to settle into what i have now.
The only rule that applies, is that it sounds in tune.
_________________
A.K.A Chappy. |
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Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
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Posted 9 Nov 2009 6:07 pm
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You guys don't use fingerpicks either, right?
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Paul Sutherland
From:
Placerville, California
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Posted 9 Nov 2009 6:19 pm
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John
As you know, I tune JI. I must say that I am rather speech less after reading Erik Renn's response, that Buddy Emmons uses ET tuning. I am a hugh fan of Buddy Emmons and have always admired among his many talents, his ability to play in tune. There is no higher authority for me in the world of steel guitar.
Erik, what did you mean when you said you used to tune the thirds slightly flat but now you tune them closer to straight up? Do you tune the G# on the E9 neck to full concert pitch G#, or to some lower value? And do you tune the E to F# pedal change to a full concert pitch F#? Same question for the E to F lever?
Not trying to start a debate. Just trying to make sure we are speaking the same language, before I start eating crow.
Paul |
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Roual Ranes
From:
Atlanta, Texas, USA
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Posted 9 Nov 2009 6:21 pm
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| Me - ET - but I don't phone home. |
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Paul Sutherland
From:
Placerville, California
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Posted 9 Nov 2009 6:30 pm
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Oops
I meant to say Ernie Renn. Whose this Erik dude? |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 9 Nov 2009 7:02 pm
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Everything 440 for me. It took some getting used to, but I'm there now.
'Flat is flat' - if that'd fit on a Florida license-plate, I'd have it! 
Can't wait to hear what 'Erik' does!!!!
PS: Paul - here's the link I posted on the other thread:
http://www.buddyemmons.com/_board/00000406.htm
_________________
Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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Larry Bressington
From:
Nebraska
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Posted 9 Nov 2009 7:59 pm
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Roger, are you tuning your A pedal all the way too? I just tried it on mine, it sounded attrouchous, how are you getting that to be in tune? i can squeeze in a 1 cent down, but straight up, wont work on my steels
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A.K.A Chappy. |
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Barry Hyman
From:
upstate New York, USA
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Posted 9 Nov 2009 8:05 pm
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I do.
If you want to know, why, check out the "Which Tuner Should I Use" thread that is current -- I have explained why IN GREAT DETAIL.
_________________
I give music lessons on several different instruments in Cambridge, NY (between Bennington, VT and Albany, NY). But my true love is pedal steel. I've been obsessed with steel since 1972; don't know anything I'd rather talk about... www.barryhyman.com |
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Jim Robbins
From:
Ontario, Canada
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Posted 9 Nov 2009 8:45 pm
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| I tune ET but sometimes tweak my fifths. No one ever said, "JI, call home". |
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Rick Schmidt
From:
Prescott AZ, USA
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Posted 9 Nov 2009 8:50 pm
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| I'm not sayin'..... |
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John Steele (deceased)
From:
Renfrew, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 9 Nov 2009 9:51 pm
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Paul, that's what I've been tryin' to tell ya
Rick S., your name was on the tips of my fingers... but I decided you should speak for yourself.
Let the record show, Rick isn't sayin'. 
- John |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Pat Comeau
From:
New Brunswick, Canada
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Posted 9 Nov 2009 11:57 pm
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| Jim Mathis wrote: |
| I always tuned JI because that is what Jeff Newman told me to do. Recently I started tuning ET and it seems to sound better with the band. |
I don't get how one or another tuning method would sound better with or without a band  , if your steel guitar is perfectly in tune it should'nt matter...unless you don't know how to play in tune or be in perfect pitch with other instruments, i tune with just intonations with my E's pedals down at 440 first and never had tuning or pitch problems with a band , my ears tells me if i'm off, i have never trusted tuners 100% , alot of cheap tuners for sale out there are not even at 440 exactly, i have notice that some are either alittle sharp or flat when compared to a Keyboard or tuning key, some of them has a setting inside for precise tuning and i have often took them apart to calibrate them to 440
_________________
Comeau SD10 4x5, Comeau S10 3x5, Peavey Session 500,Fender Telecaster,Fender Stratocaster, Fender Precision,1978 Ovation Viper electric. Alvarez 4 strings Violin electric.
Click the links to listen to my Comeau's Pedal Steel Guitars.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIYiaomZx3Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2GhZTN_yXI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvDTw2zNriI |
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Georg SĆørtun
From:
Mandal, Agder, Norway
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Posted 10 Nov 2009 1:31 am
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| Quote: |
| alot of cheap tuners for sale out there are not even at 440 exactly, i have notice that some are either alittle sharp or flat when compared to a Keyboard or tuning key, some of them has a setting inside for precise tuning and i have often took them apart to calibrate them to 440 |
Use them outside on a warm summer day or on a cold winter night, and you may have to re-calibrate them again, and again, and again...
The only instrument I tune ET is my autoharp, and it needs new strings more than tuning ATM. |
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