I understand why A6 seems to be so much more popular than G6 on six string lap steels, because it’s so convenient to switch back and forth between C6 and A6. But, on 7 and 8 string lap steels I would have thought that G6 would be preferred because of the lower bass possibilities.
What are your thoughts? Is it all because of the C6/A6 thing, or do many lap steel players find bass note superfluous?
Wondering… G6 vs A6
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Allan Revich
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Paul Seager
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Re: Wondering… G6 vs A6
I would not necessarily agree that A6 is a natural choice on a 6 string. C6 certainly is, not least because of the availability of educational material.
A6 is I think more widely used on 8 string instruments, possibly because it was one of the preferred tunings amongst Western Swing players, a style which helped develop and evolve our instrument from the Hawaiian genre. And of course, many Hawaiian players already used open A.
Equally, one may reply in terms of string gauges. I use my A6 gauges for B11, C6 and E13. Saves money when I bulk-buy same gauges!
So why not G6? A similar question could be, why do bluegrass players prefer open G. Answer: that tuning suits the bluegrass repertoire well. And/Or because the educational material is in G. And of course it is not uncommon for "dobroists" to drop the low G down to E or up the middle D to E, both giving different flavours of G6.
On bass notes, well personally I find them useful in chord work but less so in melodies and solos. On a six-string instrument, where my role may primarily be basic accompaniment, melodies, fills and solos, bass notes won't necessarily be my priority.
But anyone that reads this forum regularly, knows that none of us are bound to a tuning, generally we use what is most compatible to our own repertoires.
A6 is I think more widely used on 8 string instruments, possibly because it was one of the preferred tunings amongst Western Swing players, a style which helped develop and evolve our instrument from the Hawaiian genre. And of course, many Hawaiian players already used open A.
Equally, one may reply in terms of string gauges. I use my A6 gauges for B11, C6 and E13. Saves money when I bulk-buy same gauges!
So why not G6? A similar question could be, why do bluegrass players prefer open G. Answer: that tuning suits the bluegrass repertoire well. And/Or because the educational material is in G. And of course it is not uncommon for "dobroists" to drop the low G down to E or up the middle D to E, both giving different flavours of G6.
On bass notes, well personally I find them useful in chord work but less so in melodies and solos. On a six-string instrument, where my role may primarily be basic accompaniment, melodies, fills and solos, bass notes won't necessarily be my priority.
But anyone that reads this forum regularly, knows that none of us are bound to a tuning, generally we use what is most compatible to our own repertoires.
\paul
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K Maul
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Re: Wondering… G6 vs A6
Having started out as a Dobro player in G I like G6 simply because I really know my way around it without having to think very much. I have a couple of good capos so I can always capo second fret if I want A6. Especially if I’m playing blues or rockabilly G6 works great because of the low E note. I do have a couple of steels that I keep in A6 anyway.
Dobro was mostly A tuning before Flatt & Scruggs. Josh Graves tuned his dobro down to G to cop some of Earl‘s Scruggs‘s Banjo licks. That’s how that got started.
Dobro was mostly A tuning before Flatt & Scruggs. Josh Graves tuned his dobro down to G to cop some of Earl‘s Scruggs‘s Banjo licks. That’s how that got started.
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Jack Hanson
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Re: Wondering… G6 vs A6
One of the advantages of having multiple instruments is the ability to set them up in multiple tunings.
I don't play 8-string lap steels. I prefer to set up my 7-strings in A6, and my 6-strings in C6. In the past, I've had 6-strings set up with 1-3-5-6-1-3 intervals in G6, A6, Bb6, C6, & D6. I've since ditched 'em all except for C6 & G6.
I don't play 8-string lap steels. I prefer to set up my 7-strings in A6, and my 6-strings in C6. In the past, I've had 6-strings set up with 1-3-5-6-1-3 intervals in G6, A6, Bb6, C6, & D6. I've since ditched 'em all except for C6 & G6.
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Allan Revich
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Re: Wondering… G6 vs A6
G6 does seem fairly common here at SGF. What prompted my question was this page, https://steelc6th.com/tunings.htm
Seems like A6 has been super common with famous players through the years, while there are no references at all to G6.
Seems like A6 has been super common with famous players through the years, while there are no references at all to G6.
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Michael Kiese
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Re: Wondering… G6 vs A6
Aloha,
All major6 tunings are just transpositions of each other. The only other difference is the string sets you choose.
That said, they’re all the same. Just use them as a tool to easily perform in the keys you personally perform in the most.
With steel guitar, the most comfortable positions to play in are open position, 5th fret, and 7th fret.
Therefore you can see why C6 and A6 are so popular: they are the most pragmatic. With C6 you have easy access to the Keys of C, F, and G. With A6: A, D, and E. So you have all the CAGED Keys plus F. Which encompass most of the keys written and played by guitar players.
That’s why most double neck steels go with C6 and A6. Super gig ready. Great for jams where you have no idea what keys are going to be called. Some players choose to stick with either C6 or A6 as primary so that their 2nd neck can be some kind of alternate tuning.
In the end, no tuning is better than another. They are just tools to make the music you want to play.
Enjoy!
All major6 tunings are just transpositions of each other. The only other difference is the string sets you choose.
That said, they’re all the same. Just use them as a tool to easily perform in the keys you personally perform in the most.
With steel guitar, the most comfortable positions to play in are open position, 5th fret, and 7th fret.
Therefore you can see why C6 and A6 are so popular: they are the most pragmatic. With C6 you have easy access to the Keys of C, F, and G. With A6: A, D, and E. So you have all the CAGED Keys plus F. Which encompass most of the keys written and played by guitar players.
That’s why most double neck steels go with C6 and A6. Super gig ready. Great for jams where you have no idea what keys are going to be called. Some players choose to stick with either C6 or A6 as primary so that their 2nd neck can be some kind of alternate tuning.
In the end, no tuning is better than another. They are just tools to make the music you want to play.
Enjoy!
Aloha,
Mike K
1935 A22 Rickenbacher Frypan, 1937 S7 Prewar Rickenbacher Bakelite, 1937 S7 Epiphone Electar, 1937 Epiphone Electar, 1940's Post War Rickenbacher Bakelite, 1950 Supro Comet, 1950's Rickenbacher ACE, 1950's Rickenbacher A25 Frypan, 1951 D8 Fender Professional, 1953 T8 Fender Custom, 1957 National New Yorker, 1955 Q8 Fender Stringmaster, 1961 Supro Comet, 1963 Supro Comet, S8 VanderDonck Frypan.
Mike K
1935 A22 Rickenbacher Frypan, 1937 S7 Prewar Rickenbacher Bakelite, 1937 S7 Epiphone Electar, 1937 Epiphone Electar, 1940's Post War Rickenbacher Bakelite, 1950 Supro Comet, 1950's Rickenbacher ACE, 1950's Rickenbacher A25 Frypan, 1951 D8 Fender Professional, 1953 T8 Fender Custom, 1957 National New Yorker, 1955 Q8 Fender Stringmaster, 1961 Supro Comet, 1963 Supro Comet, S8 VanderDonck Frypan.
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D Schubert
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Re: Wondering… G6 vs A6
If you came up the bluegrass/dobro route to get there, and learned hi-bass G, then G6 seems a lot more accessible
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BJ Burbach
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Re: Wondering… G6 vs A6
That's right, G to G6 then another G6, then 8 stringers.
Right now, I'm using GBDEGB on six string which Murphy turned me on to, because it fits with the 8 string G6, as well as the C6 intervals, simplifying everything.
Anyway, you think you see what G6 can do and then Rich Arnold resurfaces and...
He moved to Vimeo but luckily the Jazz McDobro stuff is still on youtube.
BJ
Right now, I'm using GBDEGB on six string which Murphy turned me on to, because it fits with the 8 string G6, as well as the C6 intervals, simplifying everything.
Anyway, you think you see what G6 can do and then Rich Arnold resurfaces and...
He moved to Vimeo but luckily the Jazz McDobro stuff is still on youtube.
BJ