Make an S12 into a C6?

Jerome Reinan · From: Colorado, USA

I just started the pedal steel adventure this past year. I picked up an old 2 neck Excel that was owned by Neil Livingston. After starting down the E9 Road, which I guess basically everyone recommends or even requires, I became much more interested in learning the C6 neck. I grew up playing cello and string bass in orchestras, and so the low notes of the C6 appeal to me much more than E9 and I don’t plan to make a living doing this. The long and short of it is that my current rig has been so heavily modified that my guy tells me that my C6 is not going to be playable without a lot of work. So I’m going to get a single neck. I see that Herb has a wonderful C6 Emmons for sale, and that interests me except I think it might be a bit too complicated to maintain and work on. There’s another guy that has a C6 Justice Judge on Reverb, which interests me. But before I pull the trigger, I thought I would ask you all if it might be possible to buy a 12 string and simply take out two of the strings and tune the rest to C6 in case at some point in time I want to move into a universal tuning. i’m not sure if this is smart or possible or even wise, but I thought that I would throw it out there and see what you folks think. I know that the C6 necks are very uncommon and that’s why I thought maybe buying something that could be turned into a universal might be a better bet. Thanks for your time.

Jared Ruari · From: Oregon, USA

I don't think it would hurt anything to leave two strings off of a S12 and convert it to a standard C6 copedent.

You could also look into a 12 string C6 copedent.

Or get a Universal that "defaults" to 6th mode or that has a lock lever to keep it in 6th mode, if you think you'll be playing those changes more often than not.

Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

I wouldn't remove any strings.
You'll find a use for them.
For a start, do you prefer G or D at the top? Have both.
_________________
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

I'm with Ian. I would put a D on string 1, B on string 2, G on string 3, and the usual strings 2 to 10 after that.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting.

Jerome Reinan · From: Colorado, USA

My basic reasoning for having only 10 strings is that I am taking the Paul Franklin course on the C6 and having come from a four string background, I was a little bit worried about having two extra dangling strings around. If you don’t think that is going to bother my learning process, maybe that’s the route I should go. But I do appreciate everybody’s input here because I think it is sending me down the direction of getting a 12 string rather than a dedicated C6 neck.

Bill C. Buntin · Posted 17 Dec 2024 1:48 pm

I’ve thought this out too. And have a 12 string c6 and Bb6 idea on paper. The Bb6 is mostly based on Reece Anderson and David Wright setup. However, for jumping on and learning purely c6….that guitar of Herbs would be my choice. I would love to have it just can’t get off the money for it at this point in time. My only hesitation on 12 string is the spacing. Having played D10 for 30 years I’m hesitant to try it. I tend to think like Ian said. I don’t think the extra two strings would be a problem.

Richard Alderson · From: Illinois, USA

I think Richard has a unique suggestion with a LOT of merit. I have a strong distaste for C6th without a high G string. It feels like a five string guitar that's supposed to have six - its incomplete. But putting the high G on third string and then two re-entrant strings (B & D) covers all the angles. Very clever Richard, I like that !
_________________
Derby SD-10 5x6; GFI S-10 5x5; GFI S-10 5x5; Zum D-10 8x7; Zum D-10 9x9; Fender 400; Fender Rumble 200; Nashville 400; Telonics TCA-500.

Forum Index > Pedal Steel		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: