G6 tuning for six string

Kevin Ruddell · From: Toledo Ohio USA

I like the G6 tuning ( GBEBD low to high ) for dobro that Cindy Cashdollar shows on her great instructional video. Not only does it only involve retuning one string but has that nice E minor triad on strings 4-3-2 and E minor seventh on strings 4-3-2-1. The only thing that I don't like about it is you can't get that nice root and third with a fifth on a lower string that is common in so much C6 playing. I'm going to try stringing the guitar GBDEGB low to high with maybe a 30 or 32 string for the third string and see how it works. I'm just curious if anyone on the forum has tried this or thought about it.

John Kavanagh · From: Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada * R.I.P.

I use an 8-string G6 (GBdegbd'e'). I'm guessing the Cindy Cashdollar one is GBegbd' -you left the 3rd string out?

That Gbdegb tuning is of course standard 6-string C6 down a fourth - it should suit a dobro really well and have a kind of baritonish midrangy sound. Only thing I'd wonder about - it might be too midrangy to be heard clearly in some band contexts. It does seem to be a rule of thumb that the larger and louder your band is, the higher your tuning has to be. In a solo, duo or trio setting it would probably sound really good, otherwise it might be better up or tone or two.

[This message was edited by John Kavanagh on 06 November 2002 at 08:45 AM.]

Kevin Ruddell · From: Toledo Ohio USA

thanks for the information John , and you guessed the proper tuning when I accidentally left out the one string . It is GBEGBD on Cindy's video.

Charlie Fullerton · From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

I know of one Very good Dobro player who a different variation: E-B-D-G-B-D (L>H). The E is a .030, .032 or whatever, and is between the lower D and the G in pitch. This gives him most of the Dobro sounds in the usual way plus the 6th on his thumb, and some really interesting slants.
Charlie

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