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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2013 7:52:54 GMT
I'm still experimenting with my reso and wondered what other members used as their preferred tuning for that classic delta sound or if anybody prefers a different tuning on a brass or steel body? All suggestions welcome! Thanks, Jules.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2013 8:52:07 GMT
IMO open G sounds more bluesy and is more versatile than open D, but both are essential - having two resos (at least) is a good thing. I play picking tunes in DADGAD a lot too. TT
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Post by Michael Messer on Jan 19, 2013 10:49:23 GMT
Hi Jules,
The two types of six string open tunings, Spanish-G-type & Vestapol-D-type are essential. Neither one sounds any more bluesy, or country, or folky than the other, it depends what is being played and by who, that determines the bluesiness, countriness, or folkiness of a tuning.
Some people say Spanish-G is more country than Vestapol-D, but it doesn't sound too country in the hands of Robert Johnson, Son House, Muddy Waters or Blind Willie McTell. Then, some folks say that D is the one for blues, which in the hands of Blind Willie Johnson and Elmore James is absolutely true. But then when you consider that Barry Gibb, Don Everly, Brij Bhushan Kabra and Joni Mitchell, are all open D players, that nips that theory in the bud.
It is not the tuning, it is the musician that makes the music.
Shine On Michael
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2013 12:39:03 GMT
Hi, I had always used open D but have ordered another reso - it seems the only sensible course of action to take! If I might ask Michael if you had a steel and brass body would you use a particular tuning depending on the body type, assuming that one sounded typically brassy and the other a classic steel? I guess I'm trying to figure out where to start on this one, and trying to shortcut but then I haven't had the luxury of two resonators before! Thanks for the replies - it's much appreciated. Jules.
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Post by Michael Messer on Jan 19, 2013 13:00:31 GMT
Hi Jules, Two resonator guitars, one for each tuning, is pretty cool.... I don't think anyone can answer that question for you. You have to play both guitars in both tunings and see what feels right for you. Maybe for a few weeks you could swap them weekly.....a week in D on the brass and then a week in D on the steel...etc.. to see how they feel. When I have the luxury of taking a few guitars to a gig I have each guitar in a different tuning, but most of the time all my guitars are in various tunings. I hope that helps.... Shine On Michael
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Post by gaucho on Jan 19, 2013 13:23:35 GMT
I've used both but seem to keep coming back to Spanish. Don't neglect to try the 2 tunings lowered a step or two. I love the sound of Spanish tuned down to the key of E and F and sometimes even all the way down to D. After playing in the lowered tunings, regular Spanish or Vestapol sound too high to me now. I've definitely found that different guitars respond differently to different tunings. Experiment.
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Post by slide496 on Jan 19, 2013 15:04:08 GMT
It seems to me from what I've played on resophonics that they have a delightful flexibillty in tuning down or lowered step tunings and you can also capo up on them.
Is there also a C tuning separate from vestapol and spanish used for delta blues?
Peace, Harriet
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Post by DaveRed on Jan 19, 2013 15:28:16 GMT
Harriet, There is a seperat C tuning G C G C E Start by tuning your sixth string down two full tones to C. Then tune your fifth string down a tone to G. Check the tuning with the third (G) string. Next, tune your fourth string down a tone to C. Check the tuning with the sixth (C) string. Lastly, tune your second string UP a semitone to C. Check the tuning with the fourth (C) string.
Dave
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Post by slide496 on Jan 19, 2013 16:21:55 GMT
Thanks Dave Red - I had heard of it although I couldn't find examples of slide on the resonator or Delta songs being played with it that noted the tuning. Doesn't seem to rate in popularity as Vestapol and Spanish do.
Peace, Harriet
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Post by DaveRed on Jan 19, 2013 17:04:41 GMT
Harriet, I haven't found examples of anything played in that key either, unless anyone else here knows different.
Dave
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Post by gaucho on Jan 19, 2013 17:10:30 GMT
Doesn't Keni Lee use that tuning a lot?
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Post by General Savage on Jan 19, 2013 17:30:52 GMT
I stick to Standard E, Open D, and Open G. I have concentrated on trying to stay with these and no more to give myself a better chance of knowing and remebering where things are!
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Post by Michael Messer on Jan 19, 2013 18:25:31 GMT
Bob Brozman has recorded a few blues tunes in CGCGCE tuning; try 'C Stomp Blues' on the 'Blue Hula Stomp' album for some impressive open C blues pyrotechnics.
I don't know of any early blues players who used this tuning on six string guitars, but as a four string banjo, or tenor guitar tuning (CGCE), it was not uncommon at all.
Shine On Michael.
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Post by bod on Jan 19, 2013 19:06:57 GMT
Re. open C tuning - not an early player either but maybe worth a mention - John Fahey also seems to have been fairly keen on it. ('Sunflower River Blues,' for example.)
On a more personal note, I tried playing around with open C a while back and really liked having all the roots and 5ths stacked up like that, but found having the 3rd on 1st string a bit off-putting for slide, probably a lack of imagination on my part. Anyway, I decided to try flattening the 1st string by half a tone and see how that went. I really enjoyed that. Couldn't find much anywhere on the web about it, so I guess it ain't popular but I've never found another tuning that I felt so immediately & intuitively at home with... Had my acoustic in it constantly for weeks...
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Post by slide496 on Jan 19, 2013 19:41:32 GMT
I don't think I play alot that would be considered delta except for blind willie johnson. The two budget steel body resonators I have sounded better to me in vestapol(D) .
I can play a version of roll and tumble both in D and G and the G sounds more delta to my ear.
Peace, Harriet
italics are for edits for clarity, accuracy
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