| Visit Our Catalog at SteelGuitarShopper.com |

Post new topic E9 Chromatic Tuning Using Non-440 Settings
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  E9 Chromatic Tuning Using Non-440 Settings
Buck Rodgers

 

From:
Virginia (Yorktown)
Post  Posted 5 Mar 2014 11:08 am    
Reply with quote

Not even sure I used proper PSG lingo in the wording of the subject of my question. And I'm sure this matter has been cussed and discussed ad nauseum in this Forum before, so some of you may be able to answer my question by simply referring me to some of those old threads.
My question (finally!): Is it better to tune my PSG (a GFI EXPO) to straight 440, or (as shown by some websites) to various frequencies using "cents" of adjustment? Here is the primary site that generated this question in my mind:
> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0eFlY6gFr8 < < .
Appreciate any guidance y'all can provide. Thanx.
v/r
Buck Rodgers
(PSG Rookie)
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Jack Stoner


From:
Kansas City, MO
Post  Posted 5 Mar 2014 11:35 am    
Reply with quote

I use the popular Jeff Newman tuning that is pre-programmed into newer Peterson and Sonic tuners. It is referenced to the 4th string E tuned to 442.5Hz.

I use this on both my wife's GFI Expo S-10 and on my Franklin.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Ray Thomas

 

From:
Goldsboro North Carolina
Post  Posted 5 Mar 2014 11:59 am     Tuning
Reply with quote

I also use the Peterson with the Newman presets, works good for me
_________________
Ray Thomas
Livesteel Strings Dealer
Call 919-920-5482
Text rayssteel@gmail.com or email
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 5 Mar 2014 1:12 pm    
Reply with quote

Some of us tune sharp, some don't. Most of us adjust our tunings to sweeten them, but some say "look, only the fiddle, trombone and voice can go JI (Just Intonation, all notes mathematically pure to each other), so why not tune ET like the rest of the world?"
With the advent of programmable tuners, it's a cinch to have your own tunings
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger
Eric Philippsen


From:
Central Florida USA
Post  Posted 5 Mar 2014 3:07 pm    
Reply with quote

You're right in that this topic has been discussed a few times. But your question is still a good one for sure.

Here's my opinion after a few years of playing. That is, if you're a newbie to pedal steel then just tune it using the "Jeff Newman" settings. Those are available by doing a search here on this forum. Actually, there are two of those settings. One where your "E's " are tuned (kind of as a starting point) to 440, and second where they are tuned to 442.5, as Jack mentions. I'd start with the 442.5, too.

Later on, as your knowledge, ear and other factors develop, you MIGHT want to experiment with other tuning approaches. Then again, you might just want to remain with that Newman setting. Many, many do. And that's ok! Shoot, I used it for 20-some years and, truth be told, I tried it again not too long ago on a steel and ended up going, "Hmmm, sounds pretty good...."
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
John Sluszny

 

From:
Brussels, Belgium
Post  Posted 5 Mar 2014 4:15 pm     Re: Tuning
Reply with quote

Ray Thomas wrote:
I also use the Peterson with the Newman presets, works good for me

So do I!!! Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Carl Kilmer


From:
East Central, Illinois
Post  Posted 5 Mar 2014 6:25 pm    
Reply with quote

I use the Peterson and always tune the E's with A & B pedal down.
_________________
aka "Lucky Kay"--Custom built Rittenberry SD10 3X5, Walker S/S, NV-112, and Hilton Pedal
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 5 Mar 2014 6:51 pm    
Reply with quote

Actually, I'd recommend the Emmons chart (at www.buddyemmons.com/TTChart.htm for reference) not because their numbers are better (really, Emmons, Petersen, Newman and Hudson are all REALLY close to each other), but because hardly any tuners have a Hertz-calibrated scale, rendering the Newman numbers meaningless. In the absence of a Hertz scale, you'd have to reset your tuner for every note. And (okay, it's a pet peeve of mine, I admit it), there's no such thing as a 442 Hz E.
And with many tuners having a display of the frequency of the note being analyzed, the confusion grows even more.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger
Jack Stoner


From:
Kansas City, MO
Post  Posted 6 Mar 2014 3:26 am    
Reply with quote

I tried the Emmons tuning in my Peterson and it was way off for me. Went back to the Newman.

I have an old Boss TU12 and it has both Frequency and Hz calibrations. The Sonic Research strobe tuner, which as the Peterson and Emmons tunings programmed can display in cents or Hz.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Mike Wheeler


From:
Delaware, Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 6 Mar 2014 7:27 am    
Reply with quote

I thought I'd share my experience with constantly fighting to get my guitar in tune just right. Yes, I can tune by ear, and have tried many different procedures, but there were always so many gray areas that had to be tweaked that it was just a big bother to try to tune quickly.

I had settled on the Newman U12 tuning for many years and thought I was happy with it. Then recently I bought a Stroboplus HD and thought I'd try out the Sid Hudson tuning for kicks. MAN was I surprised!! It really sounded great. So, after programming in some extra notes to accommodate my U12 copedant, my guitar sounded fantastic all over the neck!

All I have to do now is pick any note and make the tuner display stop turning. No watching for offsets, or guesswork. Tuning up is effortless now. And it works on all my steels...Emmons, MSA, Dekley, and MCI! Amazing, absolutely amazing! I can't see how tuning up could be any faster and still be accurate.

Of course this method would work with any other tuning structures you prefer....Newman, Hudson, Emmons, whatever. Just program all of your note offsets into the tuner (it's easy) and you're done.
_________________
Best regards,
Mike
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Buck Rodgers

 

From:
Virginia (Yorktown)
Post  Posted 7 Mar 2014 7:16 am    
Reply with quote

Thanx to all who replied for your great advice and insights. Appears to me there is no "right answer" to my question, but simply a personal preference of what sounds best to each individual player. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". Gonna experiment with the methodologies y'all have recommended and choose the one I like best. I may even come up with a brand new tuning technique of my own. Thanx again.
v/r
Buck
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
John Roche


From:
England
Post  Posted 7 Mar 2014 7:25 am    
Reply with quote

going with mike wheeler, i tried sid hudson tuning last night i have to it's he most tunefull tuning i have ever heard.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Ray Thomas

 

From:
Goldsboro North Carolina
Post  Posted 7 Mar 2014 7:28 am     tuning
Reply with quote

Buck, I agree that beauty is in the eye of the beholder but sound is in the tickling of the ear so if it sounds good to you, go for it.
_________________
Ray Thomas
Livesteel Strings Dealer
Call 919-920-5482
Text rayssteel@gmail.com or email
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Buck Rodgers

 

From:
Virginia (Yorktown)
Post  Posted 7 Mar 2014 7:33 am    
Reply with quote

Great new quote: "Sound is in the tickling of the ear". I like it! Thanx, Ray.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  
Please review our Forum Rules and Policies
Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction, and steel guitar accessories
www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

The Steel Guitar Forum
148 S. Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA 95425 USA

Click Here to Send a Donation

Email SteelGuitarForum@gmail.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for Band-in-a-Box
by Jim Baron