LAP STEEL and Strings for certain tunnings

NoPro · 23rd July 2011

I have a BR-9 lap steel. It seems some tunings might been too tight with the gauge strings i am using. Im trying to tune to c6 and so have only been able to tune to open D and G. It appears that some laps seem more suited for certain strings and therefore tunings. If anyone owns and uses a BR-9 Lap can you tell me what gauge strings you use and what tuning you most use, thank you in advance.

NoPro · 24th July 2011

BUMP PLEASE. Should I post in a different place on GS?

guavadude · 1st August 2011

any lapsteel will play in any tuning but you might have to change guages to get there. I usually play in open G and use the John Pearse dobro set.
I like them as heavy as I can get so you don't get a lot of vertical movement in the string that can affect pitch.
I have another lap with lighter strings on it for a C6 tuning that I use if I have to play something more pedal steel sounding. More times than not I play the ones in G and use a capo or retune as needed.

GS probably isn't the best place for info. Google is.

You're going to have to experiment a bit with guages depending on how you want to tune. You're not going to warp the neck but you shouldn't have to strain to turn the keys either. In general stick with the heaviest you can get away with.

doorknocker · 1st August 2011

This might be helpful: Brad's Page of Steel - Tunings

vodka gimli · 6th August 2011

D'Addario Tension Guide

ripgtr · 11th August 2011

Brad's is a great site. I learned a lot there.

For Steel questions, I would go here -
The Steel Guitar Forum :: Index
You want the "Steel without pedals"

Also, you have to look at the tuning and what gauges you are using. There is more than one "C 6th" tuning. 5 on top (which is what I prefer). 3 on top (Jerry Byrd used that one I believe). Brad's page must have a dozen C 6th tunings, but what you want the high string to be is one of the big choices. 6 or 8 string makes a dif, if you use the G on the top of a 6 string you run out of lower strings pretty quick.

So, if you have a C 6th set that has guages for E on top and you are trying to tune to a G on top, it ain't gonna work.

Go to some place like juststrings.com, see what sets they have that match what you are trying to set it up as. Match those sizes. You will probably need to buy individual strings or get a set and replace some of them. Or do what I do, and buy your strings there or off the steel guitar forum.

Oh, and I think the BR9 is a shorter scale that what I am using (Fender) so you may lean toward a little heavier than those gauges, but then again, maybe not. You have to try. I have a Ric, it is shorter than the Fender and the guages I like on the Fender feel a little loose on the Ric.

23rd July 2011	#1
NoPro Gear addict Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 319 Thread Starter	LAP STEEL and Strings for certain tunnings I have a BR-9 lap steel. It seems some tunings might been too tight with the gauge strings i am using. Im trying to tune to c6 and so have only been able to tune to open D and G. It appears that some laps seem more suited for certain strings and therefore tunings. If anyone owns and uses a BR-9 Lap can you tell me what gauge strings you use and what tuning you most use, thank you in advance.

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24th July 2011	#2
NoPro Gear addict Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 319 Thread Starter	BUMP PLEASE. Should I post in a different place on GS?

1st August 2011	#3
guavadude Gear maniac Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 176	any lapsteel will play in any tuning but you might have to change guages to get there. I usually play in open G and use the John Pearse dobro set. I like them as heavy as I can get so you don't get a lot of vertical movement in the string that can affect pitch. I have another lap with lighter strings on it for a C6 tuning that I use if I have to play something more pedal steel sounding. More times than not I play the ones in G and use a capo or retune as needed. GS probably isn't the best place for info. Google is. You're going to have to experiment a bit with guages depending on how you want to tune. You're not going to warp the neck but you shouldn't have to strain to turn the keys either. In general stick with the heaviest you can get away with.

1st August 2011	#4
doorknocker Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2002 Location: Basel, Switzerland Posts: 6,206 1 Review written	This might be helpful: Brad's Page of Steel - Tunings

6th August 2011	#5
vodka gimli Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2003 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 593	D'Addario Tension Guide

11th August 2011	#6
ripgtr Gear Head Joined: Mar 2010 Location: Austin Posts: 41	Brad's is a great site. I learned a lot there. For Steel questions, I would go here - The Steel Guitar Forum :: Index You want the "Steel without pedals" Also, you have to look at the tuning and what gauges you are using. There is more than one "C 6th" tuning. 5 on top (which is what I prefer). 3 on top (Jerry Byrd used that one I believe). Brad's page must have a dozen C 6th tunings, but what you want the high string to be is one of the big choices. 6 or 8 string makes a dif, if you use the G on the top of a 6 string you run out of lower strings pretty quick. So, if you have a C 6th set that has guages for E on top and you are trying to tune to a G on top, it ain't gonna work. Go to some place like juststrings.com, see what sets they have that match what you are trying to set it up as. Match those sizes. You will probably need to buy individual strings or get a set and replace some of them. Or do what I do, and buy your strings there or off the steel guitar forum. Oh, and I think the BR9 is a shorter scale that what I am using (Fender) so you may lean toward a little heavier than those gauges, but then again, maybe not. You have to try. I have a Ric, it is shorter than the Fender and the guages I like on the Fender feel a little loose on the Ric.