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Topic: 8string resonator C tunings? |
Tony Russell
From:
North of England
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Posted 18 Jan 2013 1:03 am |
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I'm looking for a bit of advice here. I like a "6th" tuning with a 5th on top and have two resonators; on the 7string I use a G6th and I'm very happy with it. The other is an 8string Goldtone, at present also in G6th. What I want to do is put a C6th on the 8st. but with a high G on top; that's what I'm used to on my electric 8.
My guess is that it might not work because the top string (maybe a .12) will be too skinny to drive the cone properly.
Your experiences would be helpful.
BTW - if top G won't work I'll stick with the G6th (with D on top, I don't like a 3rd on top).
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Tony Russell Davis |
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Stephen Cowell
From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
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Posted 18 Jan 2013 6:41 am
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I had my GT on acegaceg for a little while... it was pretty thin sounding. IIRC consensus around here is that A6 is the best compromise... I've got it on E13 right now, that's a lot of fun. I'll probably try A6 next. G6 was just too low.
PS A6 was Mike Auldridge's favored voicing for this.
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New FB Page: Lap Steel Licks And Stuff: https://www.facebook.com/groups/195394851800329 |
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Tony Russell
From:
North of England
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Posted 18 Jan 2013 7:05 am
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Thanks for the input Simon. If I am getting you correctly - the reso can't cope with the top string of my C6th voicing?
I want a C based tuning so as to play off a G at the seventh fret. If a reso can't hack it I'll just use the electric for that voicing and stick to the G6th for reso rather than go down the A6th route. Tony.
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Tony Russell Davis |
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Webb Kline
From:
Orangeville, PA
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Posted 18 Jan 2013 7:19 am
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| Mike Auldridge played C6, but I know for the last while of his life, he was using A6. There is a recording or two on his site with C6 and it sounds fine (as if anything Mike played wouldn't). An 8 string already puts a lot of pressure on the cone and I've heard that C6 thins the tone out quite a bit. I like the 5th on the top as well, and I am planning on adding a 7 or 8 string in the near future. C6 would be nice because I'm playing in a bluegrass swing band, and a C6 tuning would help keep me n the middle of the neck as we do a lot of material in G. If you try it, please let us know how it works out for you. |
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Tony Russell
From:
North of England
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Posted 18 Jan 2013 10:50 am
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OK Webb, let's see if there are any posts from guys who have tried it - but I'll keep you in the loop if I try it. Tone
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Tony Russell Davis |
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Stephen Cowell
From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
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Posted 18 Jan 2013 2:36 pm
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| Tony Russell wrote: |
| Thanks for the input Simon. |
Aha! I am found out... don't tell the IRS!
| Quote: |
| If I am getting you correctly - the reso can't cope with the top string of my C6th voicing? |
It works OK, just sounds a little thin. You're already at a disadvantage with an 8string... more inertia for the cone. And at the 7th fret you're going to be sounding pretty thin to boot, at least on the tonic.
Go ahead and try it! You may need some nut levelling... just put pieces of paper or business card under the too-low strings until you decide you like it enough to have a pro set it up. It's only strings, after all... I've certainly gotten used to buying and discarding strings in this hobby!
Hip Tip: buy bronze 12-string sets, you can find most of the strings you need in there.
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New FB Page: Lap Steel Licks And Stuff: https://www.facebook.com/groups/195394851800329 |
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Tony Russell
From:
North of England
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Posted 19 Jan 2013 12:02 am
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Sorry Stephen - oh the dangers of trying to post on two forums at the same time . There's a guy on a Suzuki forum wondering why I called him Stephen!
Anyway, I really like your tip about the strings - I've been using the 8string sets by GHS and the likes and they are not always the bronze I prefer for acoustic. All best, Tone.
PS - don't suppose you know anything about wiring front foglights on a Jimny? 
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Tony Russell Davis |
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Stephen Cowell
From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
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Posted 19 Jan 2013 1:08 pm
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| Tony Russell wrote: |
Sorry Stephen - oh the dangers of trying to post on two forums at the same time . There's a guy on a Suzuki forum wondering why I called him Stephen!
Anyway, I really like your tip about the strings - I've been using the 8string sets by GHS and the likes and they are not always the bronze I prefer for acoustic. All best, Tone.
PS - don't suppose you know anything about wiring front foglights on a Jimny? |
Hey thanks... not into fog lights or Jimnies, but I have owned several Jeep XJ's in my life.
And if you're talking to Simon Cowell... give him my regards, and let him know possible heirs are nearby if he's lacking!
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New FB Page: Lap Steel Licks And Stuff: https://www.facebook.com/groups/195394851800329 |
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Tony Russell
From:
North of England
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Posted 22 Jan 2013 7:23 am
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Well, I've tried it. Used a GHS 8string set (.12 - 50) and tuned (hi - lo) GECAGECA. It works pretty well for me but I would not recommend it unless you have another guitar in a G based tuning. The volume is less, but loud enough. Naturally there is no "throaty" roar on the low strings; it's rather weak once you get over the 15th fret and the tone is a bit thin overall owing to the higher pitch. But - what I wanted was a C based tuning on an acoustic instrument that I can take along to my local pub. Now we can sit in the corner and play tunes we practised for electric setup with my pal on guitar, without one or the other of us having to transpose. The other guys in the bar don't know enough about dobro to be picky about the sound anyway!
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Tony Russell Davis |
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Webb Kline
From:
Orangeville, PA
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Posted 24 Jan 2013 10:17 am
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| Tony Russell wrote: |
| Well, I've tried it. Used a GHS 8string set (.12 - 50) and tuned (hi - lo) GECAGECA. It works pretty well for me but I would not recommend it unless you have another guitar in a G based tuning. The volume is less, but loud enough. Naturally there is no "throaty" roar on the low strings; it's rather weak once you get over the 15th fret and the tone is a bit thin overall owing to the higher pitch. But - what I wanted was a C based tuning on an acoustic instrument that I can take along to my local pub. Now we can sit in the corner and play tunes we practised for electric setup with my pal on guitar, without one or the other of us having to transpose. The other guys in the bar don't know enough about dobro to be picky about the sound anyway! |
Thanks, Tony. This is what I've heard from most about it. I guess this is why Mike A settled on A6 later on. I don't want to sacrifice those shimmering highs or the luscious lows, and it sounds like a PBR of other cheaper weapon would never satisfy, so I guess I'll have to settle for an MA8 tuned to A6 to add to my arsenal. |
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Jack Aldrich
From:
Washington, USA
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Posted 24 Jan 2013 4:44 pm
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I've been playing an 8 string Dobro since 1977. I started with only 7 strings, G B D B B D, because of my friend, Larry Blum, who had a 7 string ShoBro. In 1978, I met Don Helms at the NAMM show. He showed me his E6 tuning, which I turned into a D6, because I was playing with folkies. I used this tuning: D A D F# A B D F# (from bottom). Then, about 10 years ago, I started playing Hawaiian. Now I use the same C13 tuning I use on my lap steels: G Bb E G A C E G (from bottom). I leave out the low and high G's for my 6 string steels. This works fine and sounds good on my 8 string koa and spruce resonator guitar built for me by Rick Krauss in Seattle. People I play with love the sound, but I prefer my D8 Stringmaster. I have both with me here on Oahu. - Jack
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Jack Aldrich
Carter & ShoBud D10's
D8 & T8 Stringmaster
Rickenbacher B6
3 Resonator guitars
Asher Alan Akaka Special SN 6
Canopus D8 |
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Jack Aldrich
From:
Washington, USA
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Posted 24 Jan 2013 4:46 pm
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Correction - the 7 string tuning was, from bottom: G B D G B D E. - Jack
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Jack Aldrich
Carter & ShoBud D10's
D8 & T8 Stringmaster
Rickenbacher B6
3 Resonator guitars
Asher Alan Akaka Special SN 6
Canopus D8 |
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