Who tunes ET ?

John Steele (deceased) · Post by **John Steele (deceased)** » 9 Nov 2009 1:57 pm

First of all, this is not a debate, just a fact finding mission.
A couple of weeks ago a well respected steel player I know was moved to the brink of apoplexy when he learned that I didn't discourage a student of mine who wanted to tune to Equal Temperament. I found it kinda comical. Anyway, his statement was: "There are only, like, 6 people in the entire world who tune their steel ET".
Without an explanation as to why, or a debate, I'm asking for a show of hands.
I'll be the first to raise my hand. Who are the other five ?
- John

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 9 Nov 2009 2:15 pm

I tried it in one band I played in and it worked just fine. My chords seemed to blend well with the keyboard and the guitar player's guitars. I couldn't stand practicing at home tuned that way, though.

I've never liked tuning my guitar using JI. I now split the difference between ET and JI. That seems to work best for my ears.

Cal Sharp · Post by **Cal Sharp** » 9 Nov 2009 2:27 pm

There's a guy in Nashville who is (or was) doing a solo gig at the Country Music Hall of Fame, kind of a demo thing I guess, and he tuned so the guitar was in tune with itself. But when he plays with a band he tunes closer to ET.

Jim Mathis · Post by **Jim Mathis** » 9 Nov 2009 3:13 pm

I always tuned JI because that is what Jeff Newman told me to do. Recently I started tuning ET and it seems to sound better with the band. I don't see it as a big issue either way.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 9 Nov 2009 3:14 pm

If I had to tune ET, I'd probably quit playing.

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 9 Nov 2009 3:31 pm

I always tuned JI till I started playing with my classical music trio. I call it "my trio" but the violist is really the leader. She put it together, and invited me to be a part of it. (Lucky me.)

She knows WAY more about music than me, and she has far more experience than I ever will. I do what she tells me, and she told me to tune ET.

I have to admit, I blend better with the other 2 players tuned this way.

Kenneth Farrow · Post by **Kenneth Farrow** » 9 Nov 2009 4:49 pm

Suggest that you post one of those horizontal bar graphs seen from time to time on the forum to determine numbers--put me on the "straight up" bar.
ken in Alaska

Ken Metcalf · Post by **Ken Metcalf** » 9 Nov 2009 4:52 pm

Several wise men told me tune JI at home but with a band it is good to tune more to ET.
Of course I never listen to those crazy old coots.

Jim Peters · Post by **Jim Peters** » 9 Nov 2009 4:59 pm

I tune all my strings and changes straight up 440. I have trouble being in tune above the 10th fret or so, especially in the last set when I get tired,but it is my lack of practice, not ET. Sometimes I will tune my E's a very tiny bit sharp, it helps with the cab. drop on the A-F combo. JP

Ernie Renn · Post by **Ernie Renn** » 9 Nov 2009 5:00 pm

My hand is raised with yours, John. I did tune the thirds slightly flat for a while to get used to it, but now if they're not closer to straight up, they sound flat. Buddy told me once a long while ago, flat is flat.

Al Miller · Post by **Al Miller** » 9 Nov 2009 5:06 pm

I wish the tuner had never been invented
give me a tuning fork and my ear any day.

Larry Bressington · Post by **Larry Bressington** » 9 Nov 2009 5:47 pm

I tune 441hz on the F#, B AND E's, then 339hz on the rest, i go 338hz on E raise.
I tried the 'straight up method' but it took me few years to settle into what i have now.
The only rule that applies, is that it sounds in tune.

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 9 Nov 2009 6:07 pm

You guys don't use fingerpicks either, right?

Paul Sutherland · Post by **Paul Sutherland** » 9 Nov 2009 6:19 pm

John

As you know, I tune JI. I must say that I am rather speech less after reading Erik Renn's response, that Buddy Emmons uses ET tuning. I am a hugh fan of Buddy Emmons and have always admired among his many talents, his ability to play in tune. There is no higher authority for me in the world of steel guitar.

Erik, what did you mean when you said you used to tune the thirds slightly flat but now you tune them closer to straight up? Do you tune the G# on the E9 neck to full concert pitch G#, or to some lower value? And do you tune the E to F# pedal change to a full concert pitch F#? Same question for the E to F lever?

Not trying to start a debate. Just trying to make sure we are speaking the same language, before I start eating crow.

Paul

Roual Ranes · Post by **Roual Ranes** » 9 Nov 2009 6:21 pm

Me - ET - but I don't phone home.

Paul Sutherland · Post by **Paul Sutherland** » 9 Nov 2009 6:30 pm

Oops

I meant to say Ernie Renn. Whose this Erik dude?

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 9 Nov 2009 7:02 pm

Everything 440 for me. It took some getting used to, but I'm there now.

'Flat is flat' - if that'd fit on a Florida license-plate, I'd have it!

Can't wait to hear what 'Erik' does!!!!

PS: Paul - here's the link I posted on the other thread:
http://www.buddyemmons.com/_board/00000406.htm

Larry Bressington · Post by **Larry Bressington** » 9 Nov 2009 7:59 pm

Roger, are you tuning your A pedal all the way too? I just tried it on mine, it sounded attrouchous, how are you getting that to be in tune? i can squeeze in a 1 cent down, but straight up, wont work on my steels

Barry Hyman · Post by **Barry Hyman** » 9 Nov 2009 8:05 pm

I do.

If you want to know, why, check out the "Which Tuner Should I Use" thread that is current -- I have explained why IN GREAT DETAIL.

Jim Robbins · Post by **Jim Robbins** » 9 Nov 2009 8:45 pm

I tune ET but sometimes tweak my fifths. No one ever said, "JI, call home".

Rick Schmidt · Post by **Rick Schmidt** » 9 Nov 2009 8:50 pm

I'm not sayin'.....

John Steele (deceased) · Post by **John Steele (deceased)** » 9 Nov 2009 9:51 pm

Paul, that's what I've been tryin' to tell ya

Rick S., your name was on the tips of my fingers... but I decided you should speak for yourself.
Let the record show, Rick isn't sayin'.

- John

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 9 Nov 2009 11:19 pm

Not me. I use meantone now - half above, half below. It all averages out.

Pat Comeau · Post by **Pat Comeau** » 9 Nov 2009 11:57 pm

Jim Mathis wrote:I always tuned JI because that is what Jeff Newman told me to do. Recently I started tuning ET and it seems to sound better with the band.

I don't get how one or another tuning method would sound better with or without a band

, if your steel guitar is perfectly in tune it should'nt matter...unless you don't know how to play in tune or be in perfect pitch with other instruments, i tune with just intonations with my E's pedals down at 440 first and never had tuning or pitch problems with a band , my ears tells me if i'm off, i have never trusted tuners 100% , alot of cheap tuners for sale out there are not even at 440 exactly, i have notice that some are either alittle sharp or flat when compared to a Keyboard or tuning key, some of them has a setting inside for precise tuning and i have often took them apart to calibrate them to 440

Georg Sørtun · Post by **Georg Sørtun** » 10 Nov 2009 1:31 am

alot of cheap tuners for sale out there are not even at 440 exactly, i have notice that some are either alittle sharp or flat when compared to a Keyboard or tuning key, some of them has a setting inside for precise tuning and i have often took them apart to calibrate them to 440

Use them outside on a warm summer day or on a cold winter night, and you may have to re-calibrate them again, and again, and again...

The only instrument I tune ET is my autoharp, and it needs new strings more than tuning ATM.

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