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Topic: Stick with a single neck or upgrade to a double? |
Joshua Clements
From:
Tifton, Georgia.
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Posted 3 Aug 2016 5:40 am |
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| Currently, I am playing a Remington Steelmaster tuned A6. I have been playing this for the majority of my steel playing days. I play mostly western and country. I have been asked to gig with a group that plays Hank Williams tunes and that style of country. I have figured out how to play a few of Don Helms' licks on my A6, but it is tough and I have to play extremely high on the neck. What I am wondering is should I get a double neck and tune it to E13, which would involve a new tuning and learning curve, or should I keep figuring out how to do it on the A6? Thanks for any input. |
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Dana Duplan
From:
Ramona, CA
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Posted 3 Aug 2016 5:45 am
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Those are the two tunings I use and IMO you really benefit from Don's E13 to get "the sound"--and it's "all there." I like it for Rockabilly and Speedy West-like stuff too . I don't think there's a huge learning curve if you're used to A6, and I feel I need the D8 to cover my gigs. Not many slants needed--but some tunes I.e. Hey Good Lookin are still pretty high up on the neck. There is a bit of instructional material out there--including a Helms songbook--but they aren't exact transcriptions compared to the original recordings.
Last edited by Dana Duplan on 3 Aug 2016 5:51 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Tom Campbell
From:
Houston, Texas, USA
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Posted 3 Aug 2016 5:47 am
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Get the double neck; you won't regret it!
The mind can handle more than one language... |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 3 Aug 2016 6:05 am
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If you are in a position where you have to play specific parts to a lot of songs, then a double neck is a necessity.
The problem is, if you become a slave to it, you'll be on a never-ending chase of tunings. If you have the ability and the freedom to create your own parts down the road, that is a good way to start narrowing things down.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links
Last edited by Mike Neer on 3 Aug 2016 6:08 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Andy Henriksen
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 3 Aug 2016 6:07 am
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I play a D8 with C6 on the back neck and E13 on the front. I play only about 10% on the E13, but it's great to have the option. Occasionally its the built in 7th in the E13 that is handy, but moreso, its about how high or low on the neck I need to be to play a particular riff. 4 or 5 frets can make a big difference in tone and in-tune-ness.
And a 6th and 13th tuning are very similar, so it's not really like two separate languages...maybe 2 different dialects. You'll be using many of the same grips and slants that you are already used to. You just need to move down a few frets down and up a string.
I think you'll be glad to have the second neck if/when you get it. |
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Jay Yuskaitis
From:
Massachusetts, USA
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Posted 3 Aug 2016 1:55 pm 1 or 2
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I've tried to to play with a single neck off and on for a dozen years, can only do so much with one. If'n I knew the exact music I'd be playing, believe me I'd be with a single neck. Every so often I'll try to get along with a single neck but am always missing some thing and go back to the double. This has been an ongoing thing with me for years and doubt it will never change. How I tune and what I use makes no difference as one is an extension of the other. Gotta' mention only in the last month or two I've been trying to play after a 8 year hiatus and still face the same dilemma. Tried the single for a couple days then went right back to the double. Thank heavens I have 3 doubles and only one single. Makes it three to one. Have fun as it has been to me 'cepting the time to set up and put away.
Sorry for the long winded rant. Jay Y. edit: been 8 years, not 6 years. sorry. |
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Scott Duckworth
From:
Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies
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Posted 3 Aug 2016 4:25 pm
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I will be glad when I can build or buy a D8! Playing gospel that is in so many keys on one neck can be a challenge.
_________________
Amateur Radio Operator NA4IT (Extra)
http://www.qsl.net/na4it
I may, in fact, be nuts. However, I am screwed onto the right bolt... Jesus! |
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Tom Kaminski
From:
New Jersey, USA
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Posted 4 Aug 2016 7:27 am
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| Who makes a double besides Remington? |
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Jouni Karvonen
From:
Helsinki, Finland
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J Fletcher
From:
London,Ont,Canada
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Posted 4 Aug 2016 9:35 am
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There's something to be said for sticking with your current A6 tuning. I have played lots of old Hank tunes on a B6 tuning and didn't get any complaints. Most intros I moved down an octave , I prefered the sound.
If the band are sticklers for the intros and solos being played as per the original recordings , that's another story. Are the tunes being played in the original keys? |
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Joshua Clements
From:
Tifton, Georgia.
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Posted 4 Aug 2016 12:07 pm
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| J, the band leader favors the E chord and it's various progressions. I will experiment with moving the songs back an octave. Thanks everyone for the input. |
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