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Author
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Topic: 6 vs. 8
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Tom Olson
Member From: Spokane, WA
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posted 16 December 2002 11:38 AM
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Hope this doesn't sound too dumb -- but I'm a newbie. I'm thinking of getting a lap steel. I don't know much, but I know enough to realize that they come in 6-string versions and 8 string versions, among others. I'm interested in pretty much all genres of music, including Hawaiian, swing, country, etc. So, what would be the advantages and/or disadvantages of each type? Could a student adapt instructional material to one type that was written for the other type, for example, without too much trouble? Are there certain types of music that sound better on one than the other, etc. etc.? What are some things to look for/lookout for with regard to purchasing one (in addition to how it sounds, of course), such as features, type of pickup, etc. etc. Thanks for your help. |
HowardR
Member From: N.Y.C.,N.Y.
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posted 16 December 2002 12:07 PM
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Tom, welcome aboard. The first thing to do, if you haven't done so already, is to go to the search function. There should be a fair amount of information from past threads and that should get you started. |
Erv Niehaus
Member From: Litchfield, MN, USA
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posted 16 December 2002 12:37 PM
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Tom:
I started out on a 6 string (50 yrs ago) but now prefer an 8 string. Once you get into the "enhanced" tunings you'll appreciate the added strings. For instance the A6th or the C6th tunings require an added note. I tune my A6th to (high to low) E C# A F# E C# A E
and my C6th: E C A G E C A G.
Erv |
CrowBear Schmitt
Member From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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posted 16 December 2002 12:58 PM
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i'd go w: the 8 stringer Tom,
cause of the 2 Xtra Tones : More Colour
"Enhanced" as Erv says !
that's where it's at for Western Swing, Hawaiian and .....Jazz?
"Fender of Course !"
i find 6 stringers better for Blues.
(i prefer Gibson)
i guess you can play Country on both 6/8 or is the PSG more appropriate ?
i can't help you much w: the written material but some Good Tabs often come up in "Tablature" right here on the Fo'rum.
(you'll have too dig back all right !)
LOL Tom... 
[This message was edited by CrowBear Schmitt on 16 December 2002 at 01:00 PM.] |
Jesse Pearson
Member From: San Diego , CA
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posted 16 December 2002 01:07 PM
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Hi Tom, I'm a long time guitarist who has been playing 6 string lap since last summer. I feel 6 string is best to start on in C6 tuning (low to high CEGACE). I'm able to record copy allot of famous songs that were done in other tunings and pretty much get a note for note version. I also learn licks from other tunings and transpose the key to fit the middle range of my short scale Lap. Don Helms of Hank Williams fame used pretty much the 6 highest strings of an E6th tuning(EG#BC#EG#) on his 8 string. Don wasn't into slanting his bar when he played. I first went through DeWitt Scott's basic C6th tuning and now I,m waiting for my Jerry Bird instructional course to get here. After that I will go through Cindy Cashdollar's two videos on western swing. Denny's guitars has a great breakdown on modes for C6th tuning and Ricky Davis has a Chord Finder for a bunch of tunings that saves a lot of time on writing out charts. The same kind of chord substitutions you use on guitar works great on steel and overcomes any chordal limitations. I listen to Dick McIntire allot and I'm constantly searching out music to record copy. My guitars are starting to whine alittle, Ha Ha! [This message was edited by Jesse Pearson on 16 December 2002 at 05:29 PM.] |
Roy Ayres
Member From: Starke, Florida, USA
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posted 16 December 2002 01:11 PM
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Tom:Buy an 8 string. You can put 6 strings on for now, and when you are ready to advance, just add the other 2 strings. I believe that you would soon outgrow a 6 string model and be looking for a trade -- expecially with the help you can get on this Forum to help you grow into the 8-string tunings. Save some money and time; gl "straight to the eight."
[This message was edited by Roy Ayres on 16 December 2002 at 01:13 PM.] |
Jesse Pearson
Member From: San Diego , CA
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posted 16 December 2002 01:51 PM
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Tom, get both. The 6 stringer is easy to carry around and take to the park and such. Besides, a 6 string doesn't cost as much as a 8 stringer. |
Andy Volk
Member From: Boston, MA
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posted 16 December 2002 02:34 PM
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It doesn't matter what you have ( 6 or 8) it depends what you can do with what you've got. You can get plenty of music out of a 6-string guitar. 8-strings will enhance your chordal possibilities but perhaps be more difficult to conceptualize in the beginning. Much - perhaps even 75% of steel playing - happens on the highest 3 or 4 strings. The Hawaiians used mostly 6-stringers until long after the Western Swing players had adopted 8-string instruments. Acoustic steelers generally use 6-string models. David Lindley played most of his classic rock solos on a 6-string.Bottom line: 8-string adds versatility but also complexity. It all depends on the type of music you want to play. |
Ian McLatchie
Member From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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posted 16 December 2002 02:58 PM
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Right you are, Andy. I wouldn't feel particularly compelled to buy an instrument based on the number of strings, Tom. Try as many brands and models as you can and buy what suits you, period. If you plan to make use of particular complex tunings, extra strings will certainly give you a broader range of voicings, but the fact is, much of the greatest non-pedal steel music was recorded on 6-string instruments. There are still lots of fine lap steels at affordable
prices. Happy hunting. |
Gary Slabaugh
Member From: Scottsdale, AZ
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posted 16 December 2002 03:06 PM
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I guess I will chime in since I was where you are now (same sequence of coursed even) a year ago. I would start with a 6 string, although not that popular there are some post war Bakelite Rick's out there that sound great (mine was $225)because it is easier on slants and the spacing is better to learn with. Not much tab requires the 7th or 8th string, and you can always find a single or double note somewhere that will work. When you are tired of changing tunings about 1/2 way through the Jerry Bryd course you should then buy a double 8 (I found a nice National for $400). Then during your Cindy course get a resonated accoustic ($200-2000), then with the George Board blues course get a Supro ($150-300) with lots of BITE.. and the list goes on. |
HowardR
Member From: N.Y.C.,N.Y.
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posted 16 December 2002 04:51 PM
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oh heck,....just get a 7 string and be done with it!......  |
Page Wood
Member From: Los Angeles
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posted 16 December 2002 08:27 PM
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The beauty of non-pedal steel is how it goes hand in hand with collecting. When your wife asks, "why do you need nine guitars?" You come back with, "well, honey, I gotta have one for each tuning!"
Pretty soon those double, triple, and quad neck consoles seem less and less silly. And go with the 8 strings- it's 2 more than 6. 2 x 9 = 18. divided by 6 = 3 . That's 3 extra free guitars right there.[This message was edited by Page Wood on 16 December 2002 at 09:54 PM.] |
HowardR
Member From: N.Y.C.,N.Y.
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posted 17 December 2002 07:16 AM
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"Why do we need another steel guitar"For the same reason they need more pairs of shoes.... |
Erv Niehaus
Member From: Litchfield, MN, USA
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posted 17 December 2002 08:35 AM
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I play an 8 string dobro and if I was to buy another lap steel, it would be a 10 string.
Erv |
HowardR
Member From: N.Y.C.,N.Y.
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posted 17 December 2002 08:55 AM
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Erv, if I recall correctly, you play A6 on your 8 string. Would you keep the same tuning on a 10 string lap?, or go to a different tuning?How is the A6 on "dobro"? Not muddy on the lower strings?
I currently have C6/A7 on my 7 string reso. I have put the next heavier gauge strings on it as the normal gauges were a bit too light and bright. I miss a lower register and am considering tuning down by a step or a step & a half. |
mikey
Member From: Hawaii, Big Island
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posted 17 December 2002 09:38 AM
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Aloha Tom,
I have found, beginning Steelers(most steelers actually...shoot, Dave Lindley plays 6 strings) really only need 6 strings...but if you get serious and deeper into it, you will probably want 8 for more note choices,chord variations ect. also a 6 is USUALLY less expensive...and everything is transferable from 6 to 8...I personally would get a guitar w/ legs...I don't know about you, but playing electric on my lap KILLS my back...I HAVE to have legs...even when I was using my 6 string Rick ( a wood model, but it had the sacred horseshoe pick up) I had to buy 3 legs and sockets and just drilled 3 places to mount 'em underneath(one of the best things I ever did)...now that guitar is my main practice guitar...small,light, comfortable to play, not any kind of collectors item in my view...wonderful tone, so I just leave it set up in my music room as opposed to my triple Fender which weighs a ton and probably does have some collectors value, and I only need 3 necks for certain gigs..so that mainly is my gig guitar, but only when necessary...otherwise I use the Rick...so...look on ebay or music shops whatever...I'd recommend a latter model Rickenbacker steel like a model SW http://www.well.com/user/wellvis/steels/Ricks/RickModelSW.JPG which can be found pretty cheap, has the horseshoe P/U and you can put legs on it...all in all a GREAT starter and player guitar(National electrics are also a good choice and still a relative bargain) and if you feel you need to upgrade in the future you shouldn't lose a penny (might even make a few bucks)...my 2 cents, good luck,
Aloha,
Mike |
George Keoki Lake
Member From: Edmonton, AB., Canada
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posted 17 December 2002 10:34 AM
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One of my beginner students purchased a used 8 string. He found it to be a bit too confusing so I removed 1 and 8, now it's 6 string. I am waiting for his playing ability to improve, at which time I will be get him back to the 8 string format.
I have always found teaching any new student on a 6 string model to be far easier for the student to learn.
You know, if you think back to the "glory days" of the Hawaiian steel guitar, Dick McIntire, et al; he, (and they), primarily performed on 6 string guitars, (usually those great old Ric Frypans), in the '30's and 40's. Therefore, as someone has already pointed out, it's not how many strings you have, but what you can do with what you have. |
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