The British Steelies Society

Hi chaps, as some of you may be aware, i've just finished refurbing/building a 10 string lapsteel. Untill now i've had a 6 string tuned to C6[CEGACE]...I'd like to try a different tuning! the scale on the new guitar is 60cm... suggestions of tunings and prefered guages will be gratefully appreciated...many thanks Terry

C'mon gents, i know there's someone out there who could help me decide? im itching to get this sorted before i get the pickup wired...cheers terry

I reckon it's the "something different" that's stumped us. For my money you have a most useful tuning already, although I use a different inversion (and 8 strings). So, based on a mix of what you have plus some of mine - a "G" on top would be an obvious choice (to me anyway). And how about Bb below your C for a 7th? That leaves two slots. Have you thought of chromatics on top? Maybe a "D" might be useful as a first? There again, you could extend the bass with a low "G". Thus - from top down, D G E C A G C E Bb G would be an experiment I would try. As to guages, until the right tuning turned up I would tend to compromise with nywhatever strings are lying about, if the tuning seems ok, that's when I would adjust accordingly and buy "proper" strings. Best of luck, Tony.

at last a reply, thank you for that Tony