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Topic: What is a Nashville High Strung Guitar? |
Ron Randall
From:
Dallas, Texas, USA
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Posted 10 Dec 2002 9:34 pm |
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I hear these things on recordings, I notice that the instrument and player are in the notes.
What is this lil dumpling?
I am duckin' for cover.
Ron
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Fender Stringmaster T-8
Fender Custom D-8
8 string Benoit
Peavey Amps
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nick allen
From:
France
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Posted 10 Dec 2002 11:58 pm
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Well, I've always understood it to be the "extra" strings on a twelve-string - in other words, E, A, D and G one octave higher than standard guitar strings, plus the usual B and E top strings. Generally used for rhythm playing - I'm never sure why they don't just use a 12-string, but maybe someone from Nashville will tell us... 
Nick |
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Kenny Davis
From:
Great State of Oklahoma
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Posted 11 Dec 2002 12:33 am
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| I think it is usually just the third (G) string that is different, and they refer to it as a "high 3rd". It's a plain string, tuned to an octave and played with a capo. The sound mimics a 12 string guitar. |
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Dave Boothroyd
From:
Staffordshire Moorlands
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Posted 11 Dec 2002 12:48 am
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I keep one of my guitars in Nashville tuning. The lower three strings are light gauge and tuned an octave higher than normal.
It can sound very like a twelve string if you use it to double another guitar, but it is also a way of getting a very smooth rhythm guitar part without having to EQ the boom of the low strings out.
It leaves more space in the audio spectrum. Useful if you have piano or higher than normal bass lines (and an old Strat copy is cheaper than a Ricky).
Cheers
Dave |
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Michael T. Hermsmeyer
From:
Branson, Missouri, USA
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Posted 11 Dec 2002 1:32 am
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I always keep a high strung, or Nashville high "G" tuned acoustic in my studio. It has standard E to E tuning, but the wound strings are replaced with lighter gauges to play an octave higher. You don't have to use a vintage Martin either, most cheap acoustics will work fine. It provides a thinner tone that blends well with a regular strung acoustic, you get a very spacious sound. One of the reasons not to use a 12 string is the tuning problems. Another is the ability to spread the guitars in the stereo spectrum.
I use a cheap $100.00 Eterna Dreadnaught made by Yamaha, strung this way:
1. Normal E, .10
2. Normal B, .14
3. High G, .10
4. High D, .14
5. High A, .18 plain
6. High E, .26 Phosphor wound
Make sure your nut and saddle are filed smooth because that high G will have a tendency to pop. Remember your not going for a big bluegrass kickin tone, just a light airy background. I Use a thin pick. Blend it with a regular acoustic at a spread of 10 and 2 o'clock and you should get a nice full acoustic bed to build your tracks upon. I always get great results mixing the high "G" tuning with my Gibson J-200. Two Jumbo guitar tracks can bee too heavy, the high "G" really lightens things up.
This is my experience, I hope it helps.
Michael T.
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UTILITY MAN PRODUCTIONS
'73 EMMONS D10 FATBACK, '92 EMMONS D10 LASHLEY LEGRANDE,
'85 DOBRO 60DS, '95 DOBRO F60S,
'95 MELOBAR CUSTOM, 1955 FENDER TRIPLE NECK STRINGMASTER. EVANS, FENDER, PEAVEY,
and MESA BOOGIE Amps.
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George Kimery
From:
Limestone, TN, USA
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Posted 11 Dec 2002 5:05 am
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To get the proper string gauges, I just look at a set of strings for a 12 string guitar and use just the high strings. You can buy a set of strings for a 12 string and use the 6 heavy gauge ones for a regular acoustic guitar, then use the"left overs" to make up a high strung set. Tune the high strung just like the high strings on a regular 12 string guitar. That would be as posted above, bottom E & B, just tuned normal. The top 4 are tuned
G, D, A, and E except they are one octave higher. |
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Ron Randall
From:
Dallas, Texas, USA
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Posted 11 Dec 2002 6:45 am
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WOW 
Thanks everybody. Now I know what that sound is. I really like it. The Carpool Daddy Garage Band will try it out.
I have a 12 string, so I'll just take off the right ones!
Thanks again.
Ron |
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John Kavanagh
From:
Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada * R.I.P.
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Posted 11 Dec 2002 12:27 pm
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It's a terrific sound for the second or third rhythm guitar, and I always have the cheapest flattop in the house set up that way to hand somebody at guitar pulls or jam sessions. Avoids that drony sound of everyone strumming together. I hear Paul Simon often plays one on stage.
If you buy a 12-string set, you can string two guitars with it![This message was edited by John Kavanagh on 12 December 2002 at 08:51 AM.] [This message was edited by John Kavanagh on 19 December 2002 at 09:25 AM.] |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 11 Dec 2002 12:50 pm
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| And I thought Nashville high strung guitar was Brent Mason having a bad day in the studio. |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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mikey
From:
New Jersey
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Posted 12 Dec 2002 10:14 pm
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Aloha you guys...Dave Boothroyd has the correct answer.
Aloha,
Mike
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Pete Grant
From:
Auburn, CA, USA
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Posted 12 Dec 2002 10:53 pm
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| A baby Taylor makes a great high-strung guitar. |
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Todd Weger
From:
Safety Harbor, FLAUSA
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Posted 13 Dec 2002 7:22 am
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Dang, I LOVE this place! Way cool information everyday.
I agree too, that the Baby Taylor works great for that sound, though it's not exactly the same. I also recommend trying the Tacoma Papoose. It's tunes up a fourth, and really adds a nice color.
Ahhh... so many instruments, so little dough... sigh...
TJW |
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Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 19 Dec 2002 4:13 am
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I use an 8 for the G string instead of a 10.Makes for a lot less popped G strings.
Nice recording format is to double the acoustic guitar part and then hard pan left and right. Then record the high string part and put it in the center. |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Jerry Hayes
From:
Virginia Beach, Va.
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Posted 19 Dec 2002 6:47 am
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For a little fun, just take a high strung acoustic guitar and using your regular fingering play some hoedowns or any kind of good up tempo instrumental. Swing or jazzy type tunes sound good to. You get some great stuff especially when a note you're expecting to be lower all of a sudden jumps up an octave and vice versa. I discoved this years ago in the studio just messing around with a high strung guitar between takes. It makes for some great licks.
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Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.
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