Open C -EGC or GCE

[mrstrellisofnwales]

Messing about this morning playing the Joni Mitchell song Amelia on flat top. So the Joni book tuning is CGCEGC which to me is Open C with the same fingering and ratios as Open D So actually I play it in open D.  Then got to thinking about how I played in Open C for years using CGCGCE and wondering about how that would sound on resonator. I’ve been playing Raised on Robbery that way on the flat tops with 12 gauge strings for years.And I put a nice little slide phrase in the bridge of the song.  Well now we have an issue, because that second string will likely break or at least hurt if it goes up to C on heavy resonator strings , but I still want that high E for a sliding chord up to the 12th fret. So if anyone is still following my drift- or by now even cares,  here’s the questions: firstly do any of you regularly use Open C and secondly, which way do you tune the treble strings, EGC or GCE? 

Regards, Mrs T

[richclough]

Yes, open C/C minor with CGC in the bass and GCE/GCEb in the trebles on a NRP Style 1 with 16-56 Elixirs. Love it for slide because the string tension keeps that slide off the frets. Also the octave C in the bass helps alternating thumb driving bass.

[bonzo]

CFCFAC mostly on 12 string but have used it on other reso's.
Usually end up back in open D 🎸

[bdeivert]

I use CGCGCE sometimes and have been fooling around on my 9 string Lugnås Swedish guitar using that tuning or on one of my 6 string guitars. Since I use max 12-53 gauge strings I haven't broken any strings. My friend Peter Case uses CGCGCE always in that tuning on one of his guitars on tour. There is an amazing sound with C tuning but I have a hard time getting my head around it since I use mostly DADGAD or D or G tuning normally besides standard. Here is a clip of us recording Bumble Bee in C tuning on a Tonk Bros. guitar for his album THE MIDNIGHT BROADCAST in 2019 on Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts, with me on mandolin off camera.