G6 Tuning: So many tasty flavours!

[Joe Bill Moad]

Are there any other possibilities with C6 strings that won’t break the strings? I try to vary a little to no avail. I guess we have to get separate strings for each tuning? Confusing.

Thanks

Jbm

[Allan Revich]

Are there any other possibilities with C6 strings that won’t break the strings? I try to vary a little to no avail. I guess we have to get separate strings for each tuning? Confusing.

Thanks

Jbm

You could try DEGBDE

E > E
C > D
A > B
G > G
E > E
C > D

This will have higher string tension but doesn’t raise any string more than two frets. Should be fine on a solid body electric lap steel. Could damage a Dobro or Weissenborn.

If you want to try any of the more common G6 variations than different strings will be needed.

[Rich Arnold]

I have lots of reasons for the G6.
I come from Jerry Douglas. So the 6 string DBGDBG was my tuning for many years.
With the G6 8 string lap, all it does is put an E in the middle of the 2 triads and an E on the bottom making the transition from 6 to 8 strings almost seamless.
The A6 is an excellent tuning. Lots of cats love the A6.
But if you've ever tried to play Bebop heads out of the A6... it's a pain. It's all doable though.
But in general, the G6 is easier for the go2 keys swing is written in. F, Bb, Eb and Ab.
In Bb in A6 tuning....the 1 chord in on the first fret.
As far as the C6.
I like a triad on the top. But the high G is a bit skinny.
A tune like this would be a real pain in an C6 or A6 tuning.
https://youtu.be/5KgO4Tba1BE?si=CQVE1fDwlzhnLl7T

That is kind of what I was thinking. I am surprised more people haven't gone to a G6 over a A6 or C6, considering G is the standard for spider bridge guitars. It is a great tuning as you have shown. There are a few free lessons on YouTube for 8 string reso on YouTube.
here's the basic stuff https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6nFZJ5cNXU

[Rich Arnold]

I have lots of reasons for the G6.
I come from Jerry Douglas. So the 6 string DBGDBG was my tuning for many years.
With the G6 8 string lap, all it does is put an E in the middle of the 2 triads and an E on the bottom making the transition from 6 to 8 strings almost seamless.
The A6 is an excellent tuning. Lots of cats love the A6.
But if you've ever tried to play Bebop heads out of the A6... it's a pain. It's all doable though.
But in general, the G6 is easier for the go2 keys swing is written in. F, Bb, Eb and Ab.
In Bb in A6 tuning....the 1 chord in on the first fret.
As far as the C6.
I like a triad on the top. But the high G is a bit skinny.
A tune like this would be a real pain in an C6 or A6 tuning.
https://youtu.be/5KgO4Tba1BE?si=CQVE1fDwlzhnLl7T

That is kind of what I was thinking. I am surprised more people haven't gone to a G6 over a A6 or C6, considering G is the standard for spider bridge guitars. It is a great tuning as you have shown. There are a few free lessons on YouTube for 8 string reso on YouTube.
here's the basic stuff https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6nFZJ5cNXU

But there's a lot more.
The G6 tuning shares lots in common with the armpit guitar. When I started playing the A6 and the C6 after having played the G tuning for years I was constantly having to transpose things into the new tuning.
If I'm in any tuning other that G6 and somebody puts a chord chart in front of me, I'm constantly thinking about where everything is. Not hard to figure out...but it uses brain space. Sorta like when my wife hands me an overdue electric bill while I'm m practicing.

[Rich Arnold]

Are there any other possibilities with C6 strings that won’t break the strings? I try to vary a little to no avail. I guess we have to get separate strings for each tuning? Confusing.

Thanks

Jbm

I buy strings as singles so I get the right gauges.

[David M Brown]

The G6 tuning shares lots in common with the armpit guitar.

In the past I used a G6 ( BDEGBD ) for some years and the open D, G and B strings were an easy reference point for a guitar player.

Now I mostly play in A6, and the open high E is a good reference point for a guitar player.

It all comes down to playing on ANY tuning enough to be comfortable with it.

[Tom Keller]

I have used the G6th variant for many years. On a 6 string EBDGBD on an 8 string EGBDEGBD.

[David Mason]

With an 8-string guitar, If you arbitrarily set your high string as a 0.015" "E" note you can build aLL four 6th tunings with the SAME gauge strings, The "E" is variously the root, the 3rd, the 5th and the 6th. It's in this thread:
viewtopic.php?t=303746&highlight=
Once you settle a bit you can tweak certain gauges around. "Capos" are pretty easy to figure out too ~~ just jam something under the strings and roll it about until it's back in tune.

THIS PAGE has suggested gauges for ALL the notes, again tweak at will:
https://www.b0b.com/infoedu/gauges.htm