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Topic: Tuning Reso to "A" |
Eddie Thomas
From:
Macon,Ga.,USA
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Posted 16 Sep 2024 12:51 pm |
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| Has anyone tuned their Reso to "A"? If so, what is the tuning and what string guages would you use? I'm just curious, and thinking of doing some experimenting. Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks! |
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Noah Miller
From:
Rocky Hill, CT
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Posted 16 Sep 2024 1:19 pm
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| I keep mine in the same A6 tuning as my electric lap steels. Easy to switch back and forth. |
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K Maul
From:
Hadley, NY/Hobe Sound, FL
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Posted 16 Sep 2024 1:23 pm
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I think Big E tuned to A when he played dobro. He did that on some John Hartford records in the 70s.
_________________
KEVIN MAUL: Airline, Beard, Clinesmith, Donner, Evans, Excel, Fender, Fluger, GFI, Gibson, Hilton, Ibanez, Justice, K+K, Live Strings, MOYO, National, Oahu, Peterson, Quilter, Rickenbacher, Sho~Bud, Supro, TC, Ultimate, VHT, Williams, X-otic, Yamaha, ZKing. |
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Ricky Davis
From:
Bertram, Texas USA
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Posted 16 Sep 2024 1:44 pm
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Yes I would do just that between G Reso tuning; right to A6 Tuning depending on the style of Band I'm playing/recording with.
D > C#
B > A
G > F#
D > E
B > C#
G > A
Same popular "G" Reso String Gauges.
Ricky
_________________
Ricky Davis
Email Ricky: sshawaiian2362@gmail.com |
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Eddie Thomas
From:
Macon,Ga.,USA
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Posted 17 Sep 2024 12:54 am Thanks!
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| Thanks everyone, for the help and info! I appreciate ya! |
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Tim Toberer
From:
Nebraska, USA
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Posted 17 Sep 2024 3:27 am
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This chart has worked for me
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Eddie Thomas
From:
Macon,Ga.,USA
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Posted 17 Sep 2024 5:28 am Thanks!
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| Thanks so much Tim! |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 17 Sep 2024 7:50 am
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I tune mine to A,high bass: E C# A E C# A.
Erv |
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D Schubert
From:
Columbia, MO, USA
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Posted 17 Sep 2024 11:22 am
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Bashful Brother Oswald used hi-bass A tuning as well.
_________________
GFI Expo S-10PE, Sho-Bud 6139, Fender 2x8 Stringmaster, Supro consoles, Dobro. And more. |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 17 Sep 2024 12:26 pm
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I don't think that chart works for squareneck guitars. We use heavier strings for those than we do for conventional fretted instruments.
There are several players here who use A tuning I think. They should be able to give you a rundown on the string gauges for A tuning. There may even be a set available for A tuning 135,135. This might be the best provided you are intending a permanent A tuning.
If you're just experimenting back and forth from G to A, then you're probably fine with the standard G set. If it were me, for a perm tuning, I'd want a little lighter string set. |
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Dave Mudgett
From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
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Posted 17 Sep 2024 12:56 pm
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Yeah, I agree with Jerry that those string gauges are pretty light for typical squarneck resonator. Typical sets for standard lo-hi GBDGBD using a typical bluegrass set are more like lo-hi 56, 46, 36, 28w, 18/19p, 16/17p, which have tensions more in the high-30s to 40 pound-per-string range. I'd use a string tension calculator to get me in the ballpark for a different tuning - I use this one - https://tension.stringjoy.com/
Of course, this assumes that the resonator is in good structural shape. If that's not true, you might want to consider smaller gauge strings. But again, that's where a string tension calculator is particularly useful. |
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Eddie Thomas
From:
Macon,Ga.,USA
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Posted 17 Sep 2024 6:45 pm Thanks!
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| Thanks to all who've chimed in, you guys are the best! |
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Tim Toberer
From:
Nebraska, USA
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Posted 18 Sep 2024 4:51 am
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| Jerry Overstreet wrote: |
I don't think that chart works for squareneck guitars. We use heavier strings for those than we do for conventional fretted instruments.
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I kind of forgot about that. I will say that lighter gauges work for me. I also use pure nickel strings, usually don't wear fingerpicks and my guitar is 8 string. It's a matter of taste, but I prefer a less bright, mellow sounding instrument. Experimenting with string gauges is really interesting and can completely change an instrument. The chart gets you in the ballpark, but reso guitars do seem to prefer a little heavier gauges especially on the wound strings.. Go too heavy and it can permanently change your instrument! If you go too light the tone will be weak and you may have some rattles develop. |
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Sebastian Müller
From:
Berlin / Germany
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Rich Arnold
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 23 Sep 2024 6:14 am
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| Tim Toberer wrote: |
This chart has worked for me
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That's the chart I use. It gets me in the ballpark then I adjust heavier or lighter to my own likings as will everybody. We all have different hands.
Since I have a heavy right hand, I go heavier most of the time. |
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