Help! What's this tuning called?

[archtopeddy]

I've been goofin' with a song called Clownin' the Frets by the Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel Trio. Fun to play. Anyway, I've been playing it on a regular guitar with a slide (not lapsteel), and trying this tuning from bottom to top F A# D F A# D.  Does anyone know what to call this tuning?  I think it's a common tuning, but couldn't find a reference to it.  (BTW, it may not be the tuning they're using. It's just what I'm working with...)  Here's the song if you're interested.

 

[richclough]

Hmmm…unless my brain has gone weird, FA#DFA#D is a 513513 major tuning so would be easy for anything in A# major.

So an equivalent (in real money) might be…

EAC#EAC#
GCEGCE
ADF#ADF#
DGBDGB

For A, C, D and G tunings. Not sure about the string gauges for those though! F#BD#F#BD# would give a useful open B tuning - I feel the need to try that one out (and the minor)

😀

[archtopeddy]

Thanks Rich for the rundown and explanation.  I had a feeling it was something relatively simple but you made it clear by defining the root notes. I need to learn the knack in identifying the key notes in all these alternate tunings. At this point, it's all a head scratcher to me...

[Michael Messer]

I know this recording of Clownin' The Frets (not CLOWIN!!!), the steel guitar is played by Eddie Bush and the band is the Biltmore Trio. It is an adaptation of Sol Hoopii's playing from Sol's classic period. It is a kind of Frankenstein version of a few of Sol's recordings from that time. My guess is that it is in standard high bass tuning, pitched somewhere close to AC#EAC#E, or GBDGBD.

I have never seen the tuning you are using. I wish you luck with it.

Shine On
Michael

[archtopeddy]

Thanks Michael for additional information about the song and band. I just recently discovered that the guitarist is Eddie Bush and found a lot of good recordings by him on YouTube. Worth looking up. Meanwhile, the tunings you mention sound interesting, and I'll try them out.  All these alternate tunings are like going down a rabbit hole that takes you into more rabbit holes!