Tuning Johnny Seibrts

Ron · Post by **Ron** » 7 Sep 2000 2:13 pm

We are looking for info on Johnny Sibert and the tunning he used while playing for Carl Smith in the 50s

Ron Frazier

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[This message was edited by Ron on 07 September 2000 at 04:52 PM.][This message was edited by Ron on 07 September 2000 at 04:53 PM.]

Rick Collins · Post by **Rick Collins** » 7 Sep 2000 3:24 pm

Ron,

His name is spelled Johnny Sibert. I know from reading he had a 3-neck Fender Stringmaster. I believe he tuned:

Outside neck C6th
Center neck A6th
Inside neck E13th

I believe most of the songs were recorded using the A6th tuning.

Rick

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 7 Sep 2000 4:36 pm

If it was A6th on most recordings I have a problem with the treble timbre coming out of his amp.

The recordings behind Carl Smith suggested to me that it was E13th. Of course I have no idea. It could have even been C6, but it sounded more E13th to my ears at least.

Would be nice to know. He was quite a sound for Carl.

Like Roy Wiggins for Eddy Arnold, and Jerry Byrd behind soooooooooooo many, Johnny's playing was immediately identifiable.

I miss that uniqueness today.

God bless Johnny Sibert.

carl

Tele · Post by **Tele** » 7 Sep 2000 10:35 pm

He used a Bigsby for quite a while before he got the Stringmaster. I don't think he used the Fender earlier than 1954. I heard that he sold the Bigsby to Sonny Burnette (steel player with Webb Pierce) so that he could duplicate the "Slowly" lick originally played by Bud Isaacs. Must be around '54...

I also think it was A6th.

Andy

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 8 Sep 2000 1:29 am

If you listen closely to the tonal slurs and movements in the melody lines he plays, I think you might agree that A6th was mostly likely the tuning he used.

Rick Collins · Post by **Rick Collins** » 8 Sep 2000 10:45 am

If I could attempt to describe Johnny's playing from the recordings I have by Carl Smith:

To me he sounds like a mixture of Roy Wiggins and Jerry Byrd with a harder touch and a lot more treble. Great Fender sound.

What do you think?

Rick[This message was edited by Rick Collins on 09 September 2000 at 12:49 PM.]

Ron · Post by **Ron** » 11 Sep 2000 11:43 am

I asume Jhonny is no longer with us. I appricaate all the info you guys gave me on this and other things We will try these and see what comes. I have 8 LP s or carl smith and enjoy them .Wish he was recording still!

RON FRAZIER

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Rick Collins · Post by **Rick Collins** » 11 Sep 2000 5:02 pm

Ron, I think Johnny Sibert is living. He is just retired from playing. He is in the Steel Guitar Hall of fame. Check Scotty's website.

Rick