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Author
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Topic: stringing up a sixth tuning on a dobro
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Kevin Ruddell
Member From: Toledo Ohio USA
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posted 27 April 2006 05:29 PM
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I recently bought a Beard Gold tone and it's a step or three up from the starter asian Regal I began with. I don't play the G Bluegrass tuning so I put strings on for a C6 tuning and it sounded .... thin. The guages were 14, 18 , 22 , 26 , 32, and 36. I really didn't want to go much thicker on the guages, esp. the bottom 3 strings because of tension downward on the bridge and cone. Has anyone else tried a Bb6 tuning on their resonator ? As I soon as I restrung the guitar to a standard G tuning the guitar seems to sound so much better. I restrung with the Beard strings that came on the guitar , which are heavier than most other manufacturers reso sets. I removed the bottom heavy G string , moved the B and D string to the 6th and 5th string position, and added a 32 on the 4th string spot. If I tune it to lo-hi B , D , F , G , Bb , D ... I get the C6/A7 tuning except one whole step lower. It seems to work / sound fine , plus I can easily retune to B D E G B D for G6 tuning with the fifth tone on the top string. or BDEG#BE for the E7 tuning. Any thoughts on this topic ?[This message was edited by Kevin Ruddell on 28 April 2006 at 01:06 PM.] |
Ambrose Verdibello
Member From: New York, USA
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posted 27 April 2006 06:51 PM
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I do this also (on an 8 string so I can still keep the low G string). Moving between Bb6 and G6 just requires retuning 2 strings - one up a half step (Bb to B) and the other down a half step (F to E) so string gauges work out fine. I tend to play it more in the G6 tuning even though I'm more familiar with C6 and C6/A7 from lap playing. It's a really versatile setup. [This message was edited by Ambrose Verdibello on 28 April 2006 at 07:18 AM.] |
HowardR
Member From: N.Y.C.,N.Y.
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posted 27 April 2006 07:50 PM
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I've gone that route also. I prefer the G based tunings for acoustic as opposed to the C tunings. Again, the difference in tone. |
Nathan Hernandez
Member From: Riverside, California, USA
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posted 28 April 2006 12:58 AM
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I converted my reso to 8 strings and use the C6 with a g on top, so I can switch back and forth from my electric easy. I am considering going to an E6. Is it that the C6 is to bright??? |
Andy Volk
Member From: Boston, MA
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posted 28 April 2006 04:21 AM
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I caught on to this a few years back. I too use a standard set of Dobro strings but tune down the standard C6th intervals to Bb6 or A6th. I can also easily get D major or DADGAD - which are my standard reso tunings. |
Earnest Bovine
Member From: Los Angeles CA USA
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posted 28 April 2006 08:05 AM
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Kevine, I got a thin sound too at first but fatter strings seem to help a lot.
I'm no reso guitar expert but here is what I've found. The D'Addario Phosphor Bronze set is:
D .016
B .018
G .026
D .035
B .045
G .056
You can interpolate to choose gauges for your own tuning. For example, my tuning would give:
D .016
E .015
C .018 p
A .024 w
G .026
E .0314
C# .0383
A .0501
I round the last 3 up to a thicker string because:
1. Beard & Auldridge suggest heavier
2. I will sometimes tune the lowest two down to C and G
3. .038 and .050 are not available in D'Addario phosphor bronze So I use
D .016
E .015
C .018 p
A .024 w
G .026
E .032
C# .039
A .052
One source for the single strings is: http://www.juststrings.com/acousticphosphorbronzedaddarioguitarsinglestrings.html |
Tom Taylor
Member From: San Antonio, Texas, USA
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posted 28 April 2006 09:17 AM
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I user a C6 Tuning on my Dobro (G tuning on my Wechter Scheerhorn), and use heavier gauge strings, and they sound good. I order them as singles from juststrings.com. Here's what I use, low to high.C (44w) - E (34w) - G (28w) - A (24w) - C (18) - E (16) This set sounds crisp acoustically - really makes the Hounddog sing. ------------------
OMI Original Hound Dog Dobro,
Remington Playboy 8 String |
D Schubert
Member From: Columbia, MO, USA
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posted 28 April 2006 11:10 AM
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I've tried two different G sixth tunings on my Dobro, using a standard set with an added 0.032 for a "middle E". Don't like the sound or feel of lighter strings & higher tuning on a reso. Not substantial enough.This one loses the low G and has more potential for retuning as mentioned above... D .016
B .018
G .026
E .032
D .035
B .045 This one loses the low B and keeps the root in the bass. I'm using it right now, because it's a little stronger for rhythm.
D .016
B .018
G .026
E .032
D .035
G .056 |
Robert Momot
Member From: Farmington, Missouri, USA
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posted 28 April 2006 03:11 PM
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What would be the string gauges for a E13 tuning,I am using a G6 tuning for now but would like to try E13. |
Nathan Hernandez
Member From: Riverside, California, USA
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posted 29 April 2006 11:00 AM
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heres an E13, these are electric guages
1.E 014
2.C# 017
3.B 020
4.G# 024w
5.E 030w
6.D 034w
7.B 038w
8.G# 046w |
Charles Davidson
Member From: Alabama, USA
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posted 03 May 2006 01:04 AM
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I use the standard G tuning on my Dobro,DBGDBG,to change to G6th tuning just tune the 4th string D to E. |
Rick Schmidt
Member From: Carlsbad, CA. USA
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posted 03 May 2006 11:45 AM
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On my el cheapo rezo w/ Trilogy bridge, I use this Gmin7(Bb6) as one of my main settings. Great for jazz, blues, and swing. (For my own tastes, I always liked tuning my lap steel to Amin7 rather than the usual C6. I like the lower range.) I can still go between open G and D tunings pretty easily with just a little re-adjustment using this setup. Low to high: G-Bb-D-F-G-Bb Somtimes I'll raise the low Bb up a half or raise the low G to G# (If anybody is interested in my Trilogy settings, I'd be happy to email them) |
John Soper
New Member From: North Carolina, USA
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posted 04 May 2006 10:18 AM
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How about just modifying a G-B-D X 2 standard dobro to a D6: F#-B-D X 2 or raising everything up a full step to an E6? Standard string guages should work & you can pop in & out of a Dobro-esq tuning... |
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