Open C Tuning

Ian-Shaw · Post by **Ian-Shaw** » 31 Jul 2000 1:33 pm

Appreciate some input -

I have a Melobar 6 string steel that I'm wanting to tune to open C (C-G-C-E-G-C) - a whole step below open D, as I know and like the tuning pattern and my band does a lot of stuff in C where the steel should sound groovy.

The challenge / concern seems to be string gagues. Any suggestions? I've got a .018 and, a .020 and a .031 on the high 3 strings so far, and there just is so little bounce to the strings - they just don't seem to resonate well (besides bends being a serious left hand cramper). I haven't settled on gagues for the lower strings yet. The string gauge guide I looked at from Bob seems to indicate:

.064 or .066, .046, .038 or .036, .030, .024, and .018 are what I should be considering. Thoughts / opinons? Am I just nuts?

Thanks for any help!

Best,
Ian
<ian@ntsource.com>

Bob Stone · Post by **Bob Stone** » 31 Jul 2000 1:48 pm

In my opinion, what you are experiencing is that the C tuning you are trying to use requires string gauges that are to heavy for good playing. If you want to try a C tuning, you might try one with E on the 1st string. Actually, Dobro tuning 6-GBDGBD-1 works well for tunes in C because you have the V chord on the open strings.

Mike D · Post by **Mike D** » 31 Jul 2000 2:55 pm

Ian I play in Open C- CGCGCE on my Weissonator and like it alot. It gives both the low end and a nice high string for accents.
The set you mention would work well except the .18 might be a little heavy for the high E.
Pete Grant plays Open C as well, maybe he'll wander by and help out.

Ian-Shaw · Post by **Ian-Shaw** » 1 Aug 2000 10:21 am

I play in Open C- CGCGCE. The set you mention would work well except the .18 might be a little heavy for the high E.

Mike - thanks for the reply. It lets me know I'm not totally nuts (at least on this count). What string gauges do you use on the 3 bass strings? I'm still planning on playing around to try to find something I like for the high strings. Part of my challenge is that I've been using flatwounds, which I really like the sound of but find to be pricey enough to discourage an adequately large enough fit of string gauge experimentaion.

Ian[This message was edited by b0b on 01 August 2000 at 12:01 PM.]

Mike D · Post by **Mike D** » 1 Aug 2000 11:43 am

Ian, I've never tried flatwounds so I can't comment on differences, I just use regular P-Bronzes.
I've bumped the low C and G up a couple steps. The low is a .059" but should be bigger, maybe a .064 like you said. The rest is regular med. set with a .014" on top.
I haven't been playing this guitar in C for very long, a few months but I'd like to get a few custom set's made up after I flesh it all out.