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Topic: Need help on Dobro tuning |
Marc Friedland
From:
Fort Collins, CO
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Posted 1 Apr 2004 3:08 pm |
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| Hi, my Name is Marc. I've played 6-string guitar for many years and psg for about 10. I don't usually visit the "No Peddlers" section on the Forum, but am a regular member on the other sections. A friend of mine is lending me his dad's dobro to experiment with it and maybe actually learn how to play it. I know there are a number of videos to learn from, but at this point I would just like some ideas on how to initially tune it. I haven't seen it yet, but am told it's a very old 6-string with a steel body, round neck and no truss rod. I may be wrong, but am under the impression that "G" is a common tuning. Would this be G-B-D-G-B-D going from low to high, or is it different than that. Also, how about a potential E6 tuning, where it might be less tension on the guitar, and also make it easy to find the obvious minor chord? Thanks in advance for your help and ideas. -- Marc |
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Bob Hickish
From:
Port Ludlow, Washington, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 1 Apr 2004 4:04 pm
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Marc
your correct on the tuning for a "G" tuning
the way that you typed it out would be from low to high . DBGDBG from high to low you might want to try a C6 if you are familer with that tuning on the PSG . I guess it would be up to the stile of music you wish to play . ----- Good Pick'n ---
Bob |
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Bob Hickish
From:
Port Ludlow, Washington, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 1 Apr 2004 4:11 pm
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Here is some different info that might help
This is a common tuning used by steel players ( Jerry Byrd, Don
Helms,
Little Roy Wiggins, etc) from the early 50's till today. The Dobro
Fretboard is 2 frets longer than the lap steel, so I tune to D instead
of
E (on his 8 string Dobro). For dobro (the D6th tuning) it goes as
follows,
bottom to top:
A - C - D - F# - A - B - D - F#. In Numbers, it is 5-b7-1-3-5-6-1-3.
For Lap steel, it would be:
B - D - E - G# - B - C# - E - G#.
A common Variant in Western Swing is to move the 5 note from the
bottom to
the top. (an octave higher, of course) Since the tuning is a 6th, the
relative minor is located where the 1 chord is (E6th & G# minor).
The 2
minor chord is located with the 4 chord, etc. That is, the F#minor is
up
there with the A. Of course, 7th chords are played by including the
7th
string. The only trick is that the interval b7 - 3 - 5 is a diminished
chord. This is built into the Pedal Steel E9th tuning today. So ...the
tuning allows 3 string combinations of major, minor, seventh, and
diminished chords without slanting the bar. Neat, Huh! |
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Ron Randall
From:
Dallas, Texas, USA
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Posted 2 Apr 2004 8:26 pm
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Hi Mark,
I play 6 string and 8 string resophonic guitars and they are squareneck.
If the roundneck is set up for spanish guitar playing, you will want to raise the nut. You are right to be cautious about gages and tuning. First, DO NOT use a set of strings meant for reso/dobro guitar. They are too heavy for a roundneck.
Yes, GBDGBD (lo to hi) is very popular esp among blue grass players.
Since you are a steelplayer, I think you would be very happy experimenting with a 6th tuning of some kind. Your choice. Just check string gage chart for the pitches you want and start with the lightest gages.
This setup will be fun, but no match for a squareneck for loudness, tone. (I started on a roundneck resonator and used gages too heavy. I took the strings off, adjusted the truss rod several times, let the neck stabilize. Then got a used Dobro)
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