Which is better C6 or E9

Landon Roberson · From: Church Hill, Tennessee, USA

Which is better for Gospel music C6 or E9 and why?

Paul Sutherland · From: Placerville, California

I would say E9 is better because it lends itself to more major scale based music, which in my opinion is more typical gospel music.

The C6th tuning is great if you are playing a lot of ninth chords or jazz chords, and scales based on such chords; as in blues, western swing, and of course, jazz. You know; devil music.

Of course, there are some great steel players that can probably cover the gospel idiom quite well on the C6th tuning. The player is more important than the tuning.

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

Generally, in the absence of an unusual temperament on the part of the player¹, the E9 would make a better fit, as its tuning combines with the standard pedals and levers to make standard diatonic melodies (and their harmonies) just sitting right there.

¹Someone with vast chordal knowledge and agility like Russ Wever or Reece could sit behind a C6 neck and never let you know it was one
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Herb Steiner · From: Spicewood TX 78669

The best tuning for Gospel music is the one with which the player in the driver's seat is most proficient.

Just sayin... your mileage may vary.
_________________
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.

Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg?

Lyle Bradford · From: Gilbert WV USA (deceased)

Upon my years playing strictly gospel, E9 is the most favorite in churches. They will ask me what is the difference in the two necks and when i let them hear it they choose E9 hands down. But on the other hand it could be my playing! Laughing

Bob Watson · From: Champaign, Illinois, U.S.

I heard Mike Sweeney play an incredible acappella version of "How Great Thou Art" on C6 at the steel convention a few years back. You don't hear as much Country Gospel Music played on the C6 as you do the E9, but when I heard Mike play "How Great Thou Art" that day, it proved to me that it doesn't matter which tuning is used, its about the player.

CrowBear Schmitt · From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France

both tunings are good for gospel
the C6 having a lower register than the E9 can fulfill for an organ

Albert Svenddal · From: Minneapolis, MN

Depends on the song and style. When I toured with Jayc Harold
in the Cowboy Churchs in Texas, C6 is awesome. But in a Lutheran
Church in Northern Minnesota, E9 is more appropriate.
_________________
Williams D-12 9x7, Emmons PP D-10, 8X5, Quilter SteeAire amp.

Doyle Mitchell · From: Loraine, Texas

I have heard incredibly beautiful gospel played on both C6th and E9th, I think Herb nailed it, it is in the hands and ears of the player. But I have taken notice that it seems you will see more using the E9th over the C6th, but it sure doesnt mean that C6th is not capable of producing beautiful gospel songs in the hands of the right person. I just wish I could be one of them.

Russ Tkac · Posted 16 Feb 2012 8:21 am

Watch this video http://youtu.be/zNKUCP5UbL0 from 1:53 for about a minute. This is the best example of E9 and C6 I could find and like Herb said, your mileage may very. Smile

Forum Index > Pedal Steel		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: