Subject: Re: Fwd: Acoustic Tuning
Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2004 06:23:33 -0500

Thanks Mickey for your prompt reply,

Just one more question if you would!

You wrote:
The best G tuning, on a roundneck such as the vintage Regal, would be D G D G B D...this will minimize stress while still offering you a full G open chord to arrange off of...

Would this tuning be appropriate for playing this guitar as a steel guitar, dobro style?

Sure, you can play lap style in this tuning...only, it will not be a traditional tuning for squareneck...for bluegrass squareneck, the main tuning is G B D G B D...

I have it tuned to GBDGBD because it is dobro tuning and that is what I would like to learn, and there seems to be a lot of tablature available for that tuning. And, maybe graduate to a real resonator soon.

Well, if this is a roundneck dobro, that you're playing lap style, you might also want to invest in an extension nut...this will bring the strings up to the right height for using a heavy stell bar. Additionally, it will add more substance to the tonal range...in volume and fullness of tone. Keeping in mind, expect a lot of stress to be added to the neck...so, you would be doing this at your own risk.

Be sure to check out our online squareneck dobro lessons at:

http://www.folkofthewood.com/page3.htm

When Dad played it as Hawaiian, he tuned it to E A E A C# E.

This would be a whole step above...and would certainly add even more stress...if this is one and the same instrument, then you are being kind to the neck with the G B D G B D tuning...

Mickey

Thanks again,
Charlie