JUST Landed a New S8: C6 Stringing & Gauges?

Mark Helm · From: Tennessee, USA

OK, Guys!

I finally landed a sweet little Remington S8 with a custom (red) finish and a replacement pick-up custom made by Jason from Steeltronics.

The issue with the Remmys--really the only issue IMHO--is those high output George L E66 pedal steel pickups. Not very non-pedal-y-sounding. So the pickup is made to sound like steels from the 40s and 50s, wired around 10K and coil tapped around 7.5k.

Now, I've been playing C6 for a while and I'm fairly comfortable with it, but I've played a 6-string, strung (low to high) C-E-G-A-C-E.

Now that I have an 8-string, some have suggested I put a high "G" up top. What's the advantages of doing that? And drawbacks?

Would love to hear from folks who play Western Swing and Hawaiian stuff.

Thanks bunches!

--Mark
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Remington Steelmaster S8 w/ custom Steeltronics pickup. Vox MV-50 amplifier + an 1940's Oahu cab w/ 8" American Vintage speaker. J. Mascis Fender Squire Jazzmaster, Hofner Club bass, Ibanez AVN4-VMS Artwood Vintage Series Concert Size Acoustic Guitar. 1920s/30s Supertone Hawaiian-themed parlor guitar. Silvertone parlor guitar.

David Rattray · From: Ontario, Canada

Way to go Mark....do not let it go...mine was great...best...

David Knutson · From: Cowichan Valley, Canada

I like having the 5th of the chord on top, but I find the high G a little too “whiny” in C6. Much better suited for A6, or G6. I usually have a b7 on the 8th string. Lots of C6 players will stick with the high E and add two lower notes.
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David K

Rick Abbott · From: Indiana, USA

The first thing I'd probably try if I were staying with an E on the first string is L-H: G Bb C E G A C E

You could tune to an A on the 7th string.

I might just put that on a guitar to try it against my ongoing decision about E13 versions, and A6. Maybe it would sit nice with E13. Haha, I'll never decide, will I?
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RICK ABBOTT
Sho~Bud D-10 Professional #7962
Remington T-8, Sehy #112
1975 Peavey Pacer

Allan Revich · From: Victoria, BC

If you play a lot of blues or rock, you could opt to put the G on the bottom instead of the top.

G Bb C E G A C E (C13), or G A C E G A C E (C6)
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Current Tunings:
6 String | G – G B D G B D
7 String | G6 – e G B D G B D (re-entrant)

https://papadafoe.com/lap-steel-tuning-database

Rick Abbott · From: Indiana, USA

Can you post a picture of the pickup? I'm in the market to change the sound of my T-8 Remington. It has George L 10-1 humbuckers. I wonder what the difference would be in the midrange of the guitar. I think the pickup placement has a very different set of overtones, or something, and I know Herb wanted it to be that way. I think the powerful humbucker exaggerates that set of frequencies. So, I wonder what a 10K pickup would do, given that placement. I'm more comfortable with the center of the pickup at two inches from the bridge. This one is 2-3/4.

Have you formed any opinions on this?
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RICK ABBOTT
Sho~Bud D-10 Professional #7962
Remington T-8, Sehy #112
1975 Peavey Pacer

Roland Sturm · From: Santa Monica, CA

I agree with the two standard comments:
1) Having the 5th (in C that would be the high g) on top is extremely useful. A huge improvement over having the third (e), I was immediately won over after coming from the usual C6 with a top e. I'll never switch back. And no surprise that A6 became as close to a Western Swing standard as any other tuning.
2) the high g is a bit shrill, not hugely so and just go up one string gauge if it were to sound wimpy. Don Helms top string was tuned up to g# and nobody complained (10 out of 11 #1 hits for Hank Williams, Walking after midnight with Patsy Cline and many more).

If the high g gets too you playing on your own (I think it is great in band settings), go to heavier strings and A6, move up 3 frets and everything will be just the same. I have my Dobro (8-string) in G6, so swing/jazz works the same just at different frets.

David Matzenik · From: Cairns, on the Coral Sea

I'd find it informative, if someone could do a video of the benefits of the high G string over E. I just went to a slightly heavier E to improve tone and harmonics. Going skinnier seems counter-productive.
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Don't go in the water after lunch. You'll get a cramp and drown. - Mother.

Nathan Laudenbach · From: Montana

From a playability perspective I felt like it was much easier to add low strings to C6 instead of heading a high G and having to get used to that top string being in the way. Didn’t work for me, but I’m not much of a theory guy.

Mark Helm · From: Tennessee, USA

Hiro Keitora · From: New York, New York

Bobby Ingano has G on top and B flat at the bottom on his 7 strings Rick A-25
He has his workshop video on YouTube demonstrating the use of high G as well as bottom B flat. Check it out Surprised

Douglas Schuch · From: Valencia, Philippines

Others can discuss the merits and pitfalls of a particular tuning, but once you decide on it, here is a handy chart for calculating what string gauge you need for that tuning:

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=181987
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Bringing steel guitar to the bukid of Negros Oriental!

David M Brown · From: California, USA

Bill Groner · From: QUAKERTOWN, PA

I was looking at the picture of the pickup. I am amazed by the whole guitar. The simplicity of it, is what amazes me.
Take the bridge......a plate, a bar with two tapped holes for two screws that's it! Very easy to string it up. The whole thing looks simple and to the point, not much eyewash. I wish I had built one of these when I still had the opportunity and use of the shop equipment. It looks like a very nice one to build. Mark, glad you were able to find the one you wanted.
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Currently own, 6 Groner-tone lap steels, one 1953 Alamo Lap steel, Roland Cube, Fender Champion 40

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