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Post new topic D tuning string gauges
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Author Topic:  D tuning string gauges
Bud Harger


From:
Belton, Texas by way of Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Post  Posted 5 Aug 2019 3:13 pm    
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I have revived my original 1948 Dickerson and am taking up non-Pedal for a while.

I’m using the open “D” tuning, 22.5” scale. (DADF#AD low-to-high) What string gauges are best for this tuning?

Thanks.

Bud
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bUd

1969 Emmons D-10 8f/4k; Evans Amps.
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Aaron Johnson

 

From:
Lemoore, CA
Post  Posted 5 Aug 2019 3:21 pm    
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I found this helpful

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Andy Volk


From:
Boston, MA
Post  Posted 5 Aug 2019 3:54 pm    
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Alex Shi


From:
Taiwan
Post  Posted 5 Aug 2019 5:56 pm    
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I like to use a plain steel 026 for the third string.It sounds better than a wound string on my lap steel.
https://www.stringsbymail.com/daddario-pl026-plain-steel-ball-end-026-in-66-mm-single-string-4029.html
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Andy Volk


From:
Boston, MA
Post  Posted 6 Aug 2019 1:27 am    
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Me too. I usually play open d only on acoustic. For electric, plain third string.
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Steven Pearce


From:
Port Orchard Washington, USA
Post  Posted 10 Aug 2019 7:16 am    
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22.5 scale,
From the top:
18P
22P
28
38
48
62
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Bud Harger


From:
Belton, Texas by way of Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Post  Posted 10 Aug 2019 1:37 pm     Thanks, Forumites!
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I have decided to go with Steven's suggested gauges, but with an 026P third string as suggested by Alex and Andy.

I have come full circle, taking up lap steel now. I am playing the 1948 Dickerson 6-string that I took lessons on in 1948 at the Filiberto's Studio in Baton Rouge. Just new strings and a little control cleaner spray, and we're good.

I was privileged to get to know the New Orleans lap steel player, Spencer Bohren before he passed earlier this year. He convinced me to do this... the D tuning was his idea. Many of his YouTube videos use the D tuning.

Anyway, thanks for the help and guidance.

bUd
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bUd

1969 Emmons D-10 8f/4k; Evans Amps.
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Jim Graham


From:
Ontario, Canada
Post  Posted 15 Aug 2019 2:17 pm    
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I'm just experimenting with the "D" tuning and I have a question. Should the top string (low D) be an octave lower than the 4th string D? I've got a 056 on it now, the lowest set of strings I can find in this part of the world was 013's. The problem is at this low octave it's just wobbling and very difficult to tune. The rest of the strings sound good. Would a 062 solve that or does it need to be cranked up an octave? It's on a short scale Guyatone.
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Bud Harger


From:
Belton, Texas by way of Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Post  Posted 15 Aug 2019 4:29 pm     Yes.
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Yes, it’s a octave lower. I couldn’t find a 062 and settled for a 64...
It’s really very stable. And, it’s great.

Watch YouTube for Spencer Bohren “People Get Ready”.

D tuning. I love it.

Good luck.
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Jim Graham


From:
Ontario, Canada
Post  Posted 15 Aug 2019 4:49 pm    
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Thanks Bud, I just found out the other day that guitar strings for 7 string guitars use a 64, I'll be looking for those tomorrow. Is that where you got yours?
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Bud Harger


From:
Belton, Texas by way of Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Post  Posted 16 Aug 2019 6:02 am     Strings...
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I purchased mine locally from a music store that had individual gauges. They didn't have a .062... but had a .060 and a .064. I bought both, but I installed the .064 and I'm glad I did. Anything smaller is too slack.

Next time I need strings, I'll go to Live Steel Strings from Forumite, Sid Hudson. He'll build a custom sets.

My lap steel is a 6-string, tuned (low to high)
D A D F# A D ...using gauges recommended by Steven Pearce... plus a .026P and a .064.

Good luck.


bUd
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bUd

1969 Emmons D-10 8f/4k; Evans Amps.
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