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Topic: Open D String Gauges |
Scott Vita
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2022 1:32 am |
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Hello,
I have a 23.5ā scale lap steel currently tuned to C6 with string gauges from .015 through .036. I would like to experiment with open D tuning but most of the string sets I see for that tuning have much higher gauges particularly on the low strings. Iād prefer not to have the nut recut on this guitar.
What would be the downsides of retuning to open D with the light strings I currently have on the guitar? Would I be risking string breakage at the higher tension or is it just a matter of tone and feel under the bar?
Thank you. |
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Jeff Highland
From:
New South Wales, Australia
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Posted 13 Dec 2022 2:21 am
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Hi Scott,
Retuning to open D is lowering the string tension, especially on the bass strings, The low D is nearly an octave below the C you currently have. You will not break strings, but they will feel too floppy.
_________________
Duesenberg Fairytale
1949 Supro Supreme
1950 National New Yorker
2008 Highland Baritone Weissenborn
2020 Highland New Yorker.
2020 Highland Mohan Veena
2021 Highland Weissencone |
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Scott Vita
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2022 3:09 am
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| Jeff Highland wrote: |
Hi Scott,
Retuning to open D is lowering the string tension, especially on the bass strings, The low D is nearly an octave below the C you currently have. You will not break strings, but they will feel too floppy. |
Ah, I see. So I guess if I want to try open D on this guitar I'll need to have the nut recut. How is playing in different tunings generally handled? Is it with multiple guitars each dedicated to a specific tuning?
Can you recommend a set of strings to try for open D on lap steel?
Thank you for your help. |
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Jeff Highland
From:
New South Wales, Australia
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Posted 13 Dec 2022 3:12 pm
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Im not in the USA and specialized lap string sets are not very available,so I generally make up a set from singles from 16 to 56 or 60.
In Nickle wound not bronze.
_________________
Duesenberg Fairytale
1949 Supro Supreme
1950 National New Yorker
2008 Highland Baritone Weissenborn
2020 Highland New Yorker.
2020 Highland Mohan Veena
2021 Highland Weissencone |
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Scott Vita
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2022 6:15 pm
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| Jeff Highland wrote: |
Im not in the USA and specialized lap string sets are not very available,so I generally make up a set from singles from 16 to 56 or 60.
In Nickle wound not bronze. |
Thank you for the info. Much appreciated. |
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Steven Pearce
From:
Port Orchard Washington, USA
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Posted 14 Dec 2022 10:24 am
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Low to high open D gauges
D-60
A-48
D-38
F#-28
A-22
D-18
Not too floppy, not too tight, clean and bright, juuuuust right!š
_________________
http://www.fentonstwang.com/fr_home.cfm |
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Scott Vita
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 14 Dec 2022 6:14 pm
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| Steven Pearce wrote: |
Low to high open D gauges
D-60
A-48
D-38
F#-28
A-22
D-18
Not too floppy, not too tight, clean and bright, juuuuust right!š |
Thanks. I ordered a slightly lighter gauge, 16 thru 60. Looking forward to trying open D! |
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