10string Lap Tuning???

[Joe Delaronde]

I am using a 23 1/2" scale, on a non-pedal steel I made. The scale is this size to fit the material available. I'll post pics later. I am looking for input on how to tune this beast. It is 10 string, keyless, and I would like to tune it to an E6th. I'm open to any suggestions on tunings & string gauges or anything else. Thanks..Joe

[Ricky Davis]

Hey Joe here in one tuning I use on my 10-string SS HAWAIIAN for the E6th and that scale leanth you have is very close to mine(24")and the guage would be same.
<font face="monospace" size="3"><pre>
1) F# .013 plain
2) G# .012 "
3) E .014 "
4) C# .017 "
5) B .018 "
6) G# .022 wound
7) F# .026 "
E .030 "
9) D .036 "
10 B or C# .040 "
</pre></font>
This is a E 6/9 tuning and for your scale legnth you can go a guage heavier or lighter depending on the tightness you like to feel on a string.
I also have several other tunings I mess with on this single 10 steel and love to pass any ideas you need>your way.
Ricky

[Joe Delaronde]

Thanks Ricky
I like the structure of the tuning. Not much change from E9th except for one or two string placements, I was going with the B6th, but prefer the higher notes in E6th....Joe

[Rich Sullivan]

Here is another possibility. It's a 10-string tuning I've been trying lately
1) G#
2) E
3) C#
4) B
5) G#
6) E
7) C#
A#
9) G#
10) E

This gives you the straight E6 on top and the bottom is a fat F#9. The tuning works the same as B11 extended upwards.

[Jerry Gleason]

I have a ten string lap steel tuned like this:

G
E
C
A
G
E
C
A
F#
D

It's basically my C6 pedal steel tuning, but the bottom two strings are like holding the 5th pedal down. I use this tuning for swing and blues where I want a lower voicing of a dominant ninth chord, like I often use on pedal steel. I haven't had the ten string long enough to experiment very much yet. I'll probably try some form of E13 next.

[Pete Burak]

Here's a recent link...
http://www.b0b.com/forum/Forum2/HTML/001617.html