E13 Alternative?

Howard Parker · From: Maryland

Me and my Fender Custom gigged out with a PS Guitar this past weekend.

I've never been thrilled with the Helm's E13 tuning. Seems too restrictive and sounded _VERY_ thin as compared to a modern E9 guitar. I've swapped necks and am convinced that the tuning just sounds weak.

So..Anyone care to point me to an alternative? I'm using this neck to play 40's-60's country. The other necks are tuned C6/A6 and sound just great. I don't want to mess with them.

Howard

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Howard Parker
poobah@resoguit.com
www.resoguit.com
ListOwner RESOGUIT

Dana Duplan · From: Ramona, CA

I've found that most of the Fenders that I've had with the trapezoidal pickups like heavier strings too, and since they aren't adjustable, the gages between necks like to be similar. The C6 tuning with a high E is essentially the same as the Helms E13, just transposed and with the low strings changed. I would try C13:

E C A G E C Bb G

and A6:

E C# A F# E C# A F#

I personally like the E13th pitched strings but it all depends on the instrument, amp, group instruments, etc. I also find that I use the 6th tuning about 80% of the time and the 13th about 20%, again depending on the gig. IMHO these two tunings should cover most of what you're doing.

For the 3rd neck you might try the Leon McAullife E13:

E C# B G# F# D G# E

Good Luck!
DD

[This message was edited by Dana Duplan on 09 July 2001 at 06:45 AM.]

Howard Parker · From: Maryland

Dana replies:

quote:
The C6 tuning with a high E is essentially the same as the Helms E13, just transposed and with the low strings changed. I would try C13:

E C A G E C Bb G

Thanks for the suggestion Dana. I'll play around with this and renew my acquaintance with the "Leon"

regards,

Howard

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

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[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 06 May 2002 at 08:54 AM.]

Bobby Lee · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

I tune my S-8 down to a D13th. It adds a lot of body to the tuning, and all of the Don Helms stuff is still there. Also, it brightens up the Jerry Byrd-style C6th parts.

E


F# <--highest string


D


B


A


F#


D


C

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Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (E9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (F Diatonic)
Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6)

Paul Graupp · From: Macon Ga USA

Gene; I'm curious as to how long you've been using a B tuning. On one of your pages it shows a playbill from I suppose FEN and it lists you as playing Steelin The Blues in the key of C. Did you have the B tuning way back then ? And I really love those old shots of you and the 1000. That took me back a long ways too. I'm trying to recall now if you were in the Fender 1000 thread a couple months back. Think I'll go back and see and just reread it again for old times sake. Thanks for the fun at your site. Regards, Paul

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