Best tuning for playing C6 (CEGACE) song on Open D strings 15 18 28 38 48 58????

[Doug Anderson]

I have a lap steel with Asher EH6-15 stings for playing in Low D. Strings are 15 18 28 38 48 58.

I'd like to mess around with some C6 songs (CEGACE) without having to change the strings. What tuning would you use that has the same intervals between strings as CEGACE that would work best with these strings.

For example, how many 1/2 steps should I tune each string up or down from C6 that would work OK for this string set? OR would CEGACE work ok for these stings?

Thank you! Doug

(I know that someone will say it's time to get another lap steel .....maybe true but I bought a dobro and lap steel in the last 3 months so my instrument budget is spent for a while)

[David Knutson]

Hmmm . . . If you are wanting to go from (L-H) D A D F# A D (1 5 1 3 5 1), to similar intervals as C6 (1 3 5 6 1 3), with the same strings, then the easiest change I can see is a slightly altered A6 - C#-A-E-F#-A-C#. The top 4 strings are the same intervals as C6, but the bottom 2 are reversed. Seems to me that would be the least stress on your strings.

[Doug Anderson]

Hmmm . . . If you are wanting to go from (L-H) D A D F# A D (1 5 1 3 5 1), to similar intervals as C6 (1 3 5 6 1 3), with the same strings, then the easiest change I can see is a slightly altered A6 - C#-A-E-F#-A-C#. The top 4 strings are the same intervals as C6, but the bottom 2 are reversed. Seems to me that would be the least stress on your strings.

That's a really creative option. Just to clarify.....the C# on the 6th string would be a lower pitch than the A string on the 5th string?

[Doug Anderson]

Are there any options that keep the strings in the same order OR do those options just lead to some strings that are way too tight or way too loose?

If there are not any options that keep the strings in the same order, what is the best tuning that could lead to me changing the least amount of strings to get to 135613 intervals?

[David Knutson]

Yes, that 6th string would go down from D to C#. I can't see any good options for "full" C6 intervals without some strings being way too tight, or way too loose, and probably both. Like so many things on our instrument of choice, give it a shot and see what you think.

[Doug Anderson]

Yes, that 6th string would go down from D to C#. I can't see any good options for "full" C6 intervals without some strings being way too tight, or way too loose, and probably both. Like so many things on our instrument of choice, give it a shot and see what you think.

I'm going to give your initial suggestion a try. Thank you!

[Michael Kiese]

I have a lap steel with Asher EH6-15 stings for playing in Low D. Strings are 15 18 28 38 48 58.

I'd like to mess around with some C6 songs (CEGACE) without having to change the strings. What tuning would you use that has the same intervals between strings as CEGACE that would work best with these strings.

For example, how many 1/2 steps should I tune each string up or down from C6 that would work OK for this string set? OR would CEGACE work ok for these stings?

Thank you! Doug

(I know that someone will say it's time to get another lap steel .....maybe true but I bought a dobro and lap steel in the last 3 months so my instrument budget is spent for a while)

Aloha Doug,

BLUF: this is a matter of string tension. You need 1. string gauges (which you provided) and 2. scale length (which you didn't provide).

There are a lot of free/cheap string tension calculators available as apps on your smart phone, or available online: https://tension.stringjoy.com

Input the scale length of your guitar, and the string gauges of your strings. Then play around with transpositions of C6 or A6 tuning. I recommend shooting for balanced string tension from 20-25 ftlbs for each individual string.

Using this method, you can figure out just about anything you need to do on any instrument for any tuning.

Hope that helps!

[Frank Nims]

C6 -
C E G A C E

You're currently in
D A D F# A D

The D6 equivalent of C6 would be
D F# A B D F#

So basically, you can't get there from here. New set of strings, or another new guitar.

[Andy Volk]

I use the C6th intervals on my Weissenborn tuned down to G using a standard Dobro G set. Works fine.
From the bottom: G B D E G B

[Doug Anderson]

I use the C6th intervals on my Weissenborn tuned down to G using a standard Dobro G set. Works fine.
From the bottom: G B D E G B

I'll give that a try! Thanks!

[Doug Anderson]

I use the C6th intervals on my Weissenborn tuned down to G using a standard Dobro G set. Works fine.
From the bottom: G B D E G B

I'll give that a try! Thanks!