10 String C6th - D or G?

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

Originally, the top string of the C6th neck was tuned to G. Then Buddy Emmons tuned his to D, and a lot of players followed his lead.

I wonder how far this change has propagated in the community. Are just the old-timers playing with high G, or are new guys using it to?

I prefer D, by the way. That's my vote.
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Greg Cutshaw · From: Corry, PA, USA

I use a mid gage for the D string so I can manually tune it up to a G or back down to a D. Of course the C to C# change on the 3rd string gives you back a few of the G string inversions 3 frets up when you have the D on top.

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

I'm an oldtimer, and I prefer D. I would really love to have a 12 string C6 neck. The first string would be a D. The second would be a B. Third would be a G, and on down the line. That would give me the best of both worlds.
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Ben Lawson · From: Brooksville Florida

I'm a 69 year old kid and I have a D on first. Some of us never grow up.

Brint Hannay · From: Maryland, USA

After 30 years of D-10 steel ownership, I'm still ambivalent about it. I have the D now, but I can't say I prefer it. I used to have the G, with a knee lever that raised the 3rd string to D with a half stop at C#, and I liked that a lot.

Not having a preference, I can't vote. That means I can't see the results of the poll. Maybe someone could post them?

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

Right now it's 17 to 3 in favor of D, Brint.
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Wayne Ledbetter · From: Arkansas, USA

Interesting. I wondered why the D string thing came about. When you buy strings they call it G string. I have mine tuned to D cause of a Herb Steiner instruction material.
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Jack Hanson · From: San Luis Valley, USA

Wow, what a great question!

Just received a 10-string lap steel that I have been busy whipping into shape (needs new plastic buttons on the Klusons, among other things). Would prefer some form of C6, but have yet to decide whether to install a D or a G in the first string position.

Have used a high G on my D-10 since I purchased it in about 1977. Anxious to hear all of the arguments, either way.

Lee Dassow · From: Jefferson, Georgia USA

G on top. Pedal 5 pull to G#. T.L.
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Paul Hoaglin · Posted 14 Jan 2015 6:57 pm

My MSA came to me with a D, but I changed it to a G. I can see how useful the re-entrant D is, but I was so devoted to the Black Album and Steel Guitar Jazz and trying to learn as much of that stuff as possible that I wanted to start there. But what I really would want is both strings, in an 11-string format (I'm not sure which string I'd prefer in which position though). It seems like there would be some demand for that, but other than older ZBs, I've not seen any modern 11-strings, and not on the C6 neck. Seems like a missed opportunity, for the players if not the builders - I'd play a D-11 in a heartbeat if I could!

I voted G though, because I'm sticking with it for now - and I'm certainly not an "old-timer" (although turning 44 in a couple of weeks definitely doesn't make me feel young by any means)....

Michael Hummel · From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

When I bought my Sho~Bud 2.5 years ago, the C6 neck came with a G on top. Not having a clue what to do (with either neck) I bought a bunch of Jeff Newman study material, and he thought the C6th should have a D on top, so I changed it pretty quickly.

I don't play much C6; but when I do, I am glad I have the D on top for a little chromatic variation rather than just another chord note. In fact earlier today, before I even saw this thread, I watched Jeff's C6th and Swinging video for a little refresher...

Mike
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Thiel Hatt · From: Utah, USA

On my pedal steel I use G on top. But on the non-pedal C6th I use D . So I like and use both of them and find each configuration offers advantages and disadvantages. On the pedal steel I just got used to certain licks that required G on top. I tried using D on top but switched back to G.
Herby Wallace told me that he preferred G on top. So on the poll do I get two votes ?

Jim Smith · From: Midlothian, TX, USA

Doug Jernigan still uses both. When he needs it for certain songs, he tunes his first string G down to D. I don't know what gauge he uses, but I would guess a .012 or maybe a .013.

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

I have a pedal that raises 3 and 7 to C#, and P5 is on a knee.
I tune 1 to D, and when I want the 5 on top, I engage the C raises and P5. If I do that and put the bar on 3td fret are FACEGACEGF.
Looks just like strings 1-9 of C6th.
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Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I have the G. I've tried the D several times but keep missing licks or licks that are easier with a G so I go back to the G.

Herby Wallace used the G. Didn't hurt his picking.
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Quentin Hickey · From: Nova Scotia, Canada

I have D on top but have been thinking about trying out a G. I think most people still do use D though.

Jack Stanton · From: Somewhere in the swamps of Jersey

Back in 1978 I was sitting home trying to play along with Minors Aloud, which had just come out. I had read Buddy was using a D on top so after playing around for a while I tuned the top string down to D ( man, was it floppy!)and everything just fell into place. Never looked back.

You can get the "G on top voicing " three frets up if you have the C-C# change. If you don't have that you can get two frets further up with the 7th pedal.

Darrell Birtcher · Posted 15 Jan 2015 6:29 am

Larry Toliver got me to use the D but I must admit I miss my G, mainly because I came to pedal from non-pedal and still think that way when I play C6. I hope to break that habit someday.

Lynn Kasdorf · From: Waterford Virginia, USA

I have a G on top and rely on it. I play a lot of non-pedal stuff on the PSG and it just seems so natural. For western swing and Hawaiian chime lines, it is really handy. Also, it is closer to a dobro tuning like that, so I can move licks back and forth. I've learned many non pedal instrumentals with that G and I'd hate to have to play one of those on the spur of the moment with D on top and not being used to it. So, we are talking inertia here. However, I do feel there are advantages for my style of playing anyway.

I think Herby Wallace played G on top, right?

I have certainly fooled around with D on top and like it fine, but I just cannot do without my G, given that I've been playing tunes up there for decades now.

I do happen to own a Williams D11, which is not quite on the air yet, but will be this year, I hope. This would allow a G and a D, but unless that becomes the only steel I play and I sell my others, I don't think my brain could handle going between a D11 and D10.
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Jack Aldrich · From: Washington, USA

Since I learned my C6 from Buddy's book, I have a D. Of course, on my 8 string non-pedal steels, I have a high G, so I'm often wishing that I had a G there. I put the normal 4th pedal changes on my RKR, and I replaced them with C to C# raises for both C's. With the 4th and 5th pedals down, this gives me an A6 which, at the 3rd fret gives me the 1st inversion of the C chord with a G on top. btw, the 2nd inversion is the usual C7 at the 7th? (I'm 2000 miles from my pedal steels, on Oahu to play Hawaiian for a couple of weeks) fret. It really helps having that 1st inversion.
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chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

my first c6 neck came with a g. that was in the 70's. i soon changed it to d which enables cool lines to be played. more versatile. now i'm 66. i thought it was an emmons development.

Tony Glassman · From: The Great Northwest

I like the concept of the high 'D", but never really got the hang of it.

Other than the tonic 6/9 chord & odd scale lick, I just don't use it much. I've kept it on there anyway and my New Year's resolution is to getting more involved with it.

David Mason · From: Cambridge, MD, USA

G on top and drop the E to D on a knee. Whee!
<-I'm a poet.

There's a whole world of forward and backward slants on C6th, but it's complicated. Especially with pedals... I need to have that one little comfort of a couple of pairs of strings being in the right place, to start with.

Eugenio Poppi · From: Italy

I tune to D. Eugenio
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