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Author
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Topic: Dobro tuning string gauges for non-reso?
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Fred Kinbom
Member From: Brighton, UK
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posted 19 April 2006 03:14 AM
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Hi all,I just got myself another old Oahu off eBay: Oahu squareneck I intend to string this one with dobro tuning, probably in F rather than G to ease the tension on the old guitar. What string gauges would you recommend for FACFAC on this guitar? Or alternatively GBDGBD. Normal reso gauge would be too heavy for the top to handle. Any advice would be most appreciated.[This message was edited by Fred Kinbom on 19 April 2006 at 03:17 AM.] |
Fred
Member From: Amesbury, MA
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posted 19 April 2006 04:22 AM
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For G tuning you can use a regular set of acoustic strings for the top five. For the bottom G get an extra string a little bigger than the A string in the set.Fred |
D Schubert
Member From: Columbia, MO, USA
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posted 19 April 2006 05:26 AM
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I put 0.016-0.58" (true reso gage) strings on my Oahu squareneck for a month or so, and liked the sound. However, I could see the top beginning to distort and belly-up near the bridge. Currently using 0.013-0.056" (guitar medium gage) on the same guitar for lo-bass G and open D tunings and the top has "relaxed" and become flat again. |
Matt Lange
Member From: Wisconsin, USA
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posted 19 April 2006 08:44 AM
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If you're worried about tension, which you probably should be, i think D has the right idea with low bass G (low to high DGDGBD) as opposed to dobro G. Although you're missing that lower third, the top four strings are the same and you can still play a lot of the same stuff. For that a set of medium gauge acoustic strings is perfect.
I would suspect, although i don't know for sure, that even if tuned a step down to F, the dobro tuning could still cause some warping over time in that old instrument. Then again, maybe that squareneck could handle it. Someone who has some experience with these instruments could help you out more.------------------
my music: www.myspace.com/mattlangemusic |
Ron Bednar
Member From: Rancho Cordova, California, USA
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posted 19 April 2006 09:24 AM
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Fred,
Unless you want to run the risk of warping the top, get yourself some Newtone Aloha strings. Run a search in the archives, plenty of info on them...it's sort of a regular thing here...every once in awhile the question of strings on an old acoustic comes up.
Cheers, Ron |
Steinar Gregertsen
Member From: Arendal, Norway
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posted 19 April 2006 09:29 AM
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I would also recommend going with a lowbass-G or open-D tuning on such an instrument, but that's your choice of course.
I use "Aloha" .015 to .056 on my '30s roundneck May Bell (set up with extension nut) tuned to open-D without any problems, but I started a whole step lower and raised the tension over time, carefully monitoring how the top handled it. If you decide to go with the 135135 tuning, you will need something heavier than a .013 for the first string,- it will not sound good tuned to a C. So no matter if you choose F or G you will have to put together a custom set for the tuning, I don't think there's a standard set available that will work well for those tunings on a non-reso.. Steinar ------------------
"Play to express, not to impress"
www.gregertsen.com
Southern Moon Northern Lights
[This message was edited by Steinar Gregertsen on 19 April 2006 at 09:31 AM.]
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Colin Brooks
Member From: Lewes, East Sussex. UK.
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posted 20 April 2006 06:39 AM
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High bass tuning is no more of a threat to delicate guitars than low bass, provided you aim for the same tension by getting the gauges right. For high 'G' on that guitar I would aim at something like13
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44 It's interesting to note Bob Brozmans' recommendation for high bass 'G' on a Hawaiian tricone 16
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49 The 2 low strings are much lighter than a modern dobro 'G' set. |
Jude Reinhardt
Member From: Ironton, Ohio, USA
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posted 20 April 2006 06:57 AM
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I used Brother Oswald's tuning on my Oahu square neck but used the regular dobro tuning of GBDGBD low to high. I believe this is the original Hawaiian A Major tuning that makes the Wabash Cannonball sound so good on a dobro.Dobro string diameters for Oswald tuning. .018 E .018 C# .022 A .032 E .042 C# .042 A Jude |
Fred Kinbom
Member From: Brighton, UK
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posted 21 April 2006 03:26 AM
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Thanks very much for the advice everyone! I will get some custom strings.Have a nice weekend! Fred. |
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