T-8 Tuning Placement

Rick Collins · From: Claremont , CA USA

I'm looking for a "preferred" tuning placement on a 26" Fender T-8 Stringmaster.

All first strings will be E and the tunings are C-6th, B-11th, & E-13th.

What seems logical to me is C-6th on the center neck; because I play this tuning more and the reach is most comfortable. I'm unsure about the placement of the other two tunings.

Many thanks in advance,

Rick

[This message was edited by Rick Collins on 18 August 2004 at 02:36 PM.]

Ricky Davis · From: Bertram, Texas USA

I like the highest texture tuning on the thickest neck; for better resonance. So I like E-13+9 on the front and C6th in the Middle and I use a A13 for the back neck where I would suspect you put your B-11.
Ricky

Chris Scruggs · From: Nashville, Tennessee, USA

Rick,

Since you are a Johnny Sibert fan, and you have the same guitar as him, I would recommend Sibert's placements (which are the same as Ricky's). Which B11 do you use? Is it with the bass B string, or is it just A6 with a flattened 5th string?

I agree 100% with Ricky on the more even sound produced by putting the lowest tuning on the skinniest neck, but on my triple Custom, I have C6 on the inside, and A6 in the middle so I can play all that C6 Jerry Byrd wah wah stuff with my pinky(ala "Steelin The Blues" and "Wahbash Wah"). But since a Stringmaster's tone is behind the bridge, that style of playing goes right out the window. A friend of mine has a 26" triple Stringmaster. It's identical to Sibert's(right down to an original Shot Jackson three leg conversion job) except it is blonde, not walnut. I'm trying to strike up a trade for it. Me being a Sibert fan, that's my holy grail.

Chris Scruggs

PS

Since E13 is a more in your face "crazy" tuning, I like it on the outside neck of any guitar. Because when you go to that tuning, usually the song is getting real hot and you're showin' off and reaching to the outside of the guitar (where it's closest to the audience) just adds a little more excitement to the overall performance. Know what I mean?

PS PS

Johnny Sibert's C6 has a low F string(like the 9th string on a pedal guitar). He used Leon's E13, and said he NEVER played the 8th string on his A6 neck(F# note)

[This message was edited by Chris Scruggs on 18 August 2004 at 09:02 PM.]

[This message was edited by Chris Scruggs on 18 August 2004 at 09:05 PM.]

Rick Collins · From: Claremont , CA USA

Many thanks, Ricky. That sure sounds logical to me.

Chris, I tune to A-6th and just drop the 5th string down to D#. That way, I can get back to the A-6th quickly. I couldn't do without the A-6th, since that's the tuning I first learned to play in.

Yes, I've alway liked the sound that Johnny delivered. When I play Hawaiian, which is most of the time, I try to play some of Jerry Byrd's licks as if I'm hearing Johnny play them.

My Stringmaster is blonde and is in near perfect condition (still has the original Fender decal of course); but it is still set up to use all four legs. Ed Naylor is sending me five 18 degree leg sockets (for a wider stance); if they ever arrive. So I plan to alter mine to use either four or three legs.

I have a Dual 8 Pro. Fender also; which I use most for Hawaiian. It is in near perfect condition also; but it has been refinished. It is also blonde (lighter than original). I have three 18 degree leg sockets for it also. The wider stance looks better to me and gives more stability.

Rick

John Bechtel · From: Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.

I tried moving my tunings around last year. Normally I use C6/A7 on the #¹-Neck, C–Diatonic on #²-Neck and E9/13 on #³-Neck. I got the brain-storm to put the C-Dia. Tuning on #¹-Neck, because; it's the favorite of my (³) tunings. But my guitar said “No Way” am I going to let you get comfortable like this! So, I was forced to put my tunings back in their proper positions! If you're most comfortable with C6 on #²-Neck, by all means don't try to change “your guitar's preference”! However, I would use the same neck to tune to B11. Then if you put E13 on #¹-Neck, that will still leave the #³-Neck for a new-tuning. Or you could put A6 on #¹-Neck and use either #¹ or #²-Neck for the B11 tuning and then put the E13 on #³-Neck. I guess if I didn't want to have to retune, I would put B11 on #¹-Neck, C6 on #²-Neck and E13 on #³-Neck. That way you can still retune #¹-Neck to A6 for experimenting! Whoo!¡

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“Big John” Bechtel
(2)-Fender ’49–’50 T–8 Customs
Fender ’65 Reissue Twin-Reverb Custom™ 15”
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