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Message 8396
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| Subject: | Re: [RESOGUIT-L] 10-String (FYI) | | Date: | Saturday, January 5, 2008 19:47:18 (-0500) | | From: | Eugene <U14 @....org>
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The following is not specifically about my current tuning. It is a history of
how I came to choose a 10-string and some FYI-type comments about the nuances and
problems with having so many strings. I think that I can address most all of the
comments and questions which I have received.
My road to a 10-string has been long and not at all direct.
At around the age of 8 I discovered the Dobro and soon I wanted to learn to play
Dobro and PSG. Instead I initially learned to play guitar at the age of 12 or 13.
When I was 17 or 18 (I think) I purchased my first Dobro. Not knowing any better
I purchased a 6-string instead of waiting to find an 8-string instrument (more
about this choice below). Pretty quickly I realized the limitations of the 135135
tuning so I did what most of the world had done before me in response to this
problem I re-tuned it to G6 or E6. I longed for an 8-string that I could tune
61356135 because this would give me I and vi chords without any bar slanting.
At the age of 23ish I got my first PSG and my pursuit of non-pedal Steel went on
the back burner until I was 40 or 41 when I got the 10-string and a 7/8 Gibson
Console Grande. I initially tried a couple of 8-string tunings on it; first
15135613 and then the 61356135 (I had wanted so long ago). The 61356135 tuning is
the tuning I now wish every first-time student could start with.
Over the years I wrote out countless charts (primarily PSG CoPedEnts) to see
what tunings would render what chord-voicings readily and when I found my way
back to non-pedal Steel guitar again I started doing some charts for non-pedal
tunings (including slants)... which turned in to my current tuning.
I really like having a 1-piece saddle instead of the 2-piece split-saddle
configuration that most of the rest of the spider-bridge equipped instruments
typically have. The lack of a cover over the saddle took me ZERO time to get used
to (but remember that I had been playing PSG primarily).
I said that I would talk about my choice to not wait for an 8-string instrument
to come on to the market. I had been told by any number of very competent
players that the 8-string C6 tuning really opened up the availability of useful
fuller chords. However being a guitar player first I did not really comprehend
how big a difference a couple more strings would make until I got behind the
wheel and started learning to drive the instrument. So live and learn!
However/But: back in the 1970's and early 80's the majority of 8-string steels
which were available in the more-affordable price range were electric lap steels.
At that time electric was not really the way I wanted to go. So knowing what I
know now; would I still choose to start on a 6-string?
I think that given the times I was living in back then I would probably still
choose to go ahead and get a 6-string Dobro first. However knowing what I know
now (understanding the advantages of the 61356135 tuning); if I were starting out
now I would wait to locate an 8-string because they are now far more available.
In fact an 8-string 1980 vintage Dobro is on eBay right now for $975 plus
shipping (it has not had 1 bid even at this price). Given the change in the
value of Dollar over the years; this is in effect a lot less than I paid for my
first used 6-string Dobro.
I certainly do not subscribe to the theory that more strings equates to being a
better instrument. In fact I have found my limits and I have parted with some
instruments particularly PSG's because the necks and/or the string spacing were
not comfortable for me. With a Dobro you can cut a new nut and saddle and
customize string spacing easily. PSG's pretty much have whatever string spacing
the builder chooses and changing the spacing is not a viable option.
I find that too-narrow a string-spacing means that bar slants get uncomfortable
and/or impractical. Since I am a computer-Geek to make a living I already have
wrist problems. Therefore any instrument which is too-destructive to my joints no
matter how great it may sound is not going to be acceptable to me. So be warned
that going to more strings can lead to your being confronted with finding a
balance between the outside strings being too far apart and the individual
strings being too close together.
Regards
-- Eugene
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