Helms Hank era tuning?

Lap steels, resonators, multi-neck consoles and acoustic steel guitars

Moderator: Brad Bechtel

Post Reply
User avatar
Dave Van Allen
Posts: 6161
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Souderton, PA , US , Earth
Contact:

Helms Hank era tuning?

Post by Dave Van Allen »

Here's a question I shouold probably know the answer to after playing as long as I have, but I don't. so:

what tuning(s) and on how many strings was Don Helms playing circa Drifting Cowboys period?

TIA

dva
User avatar
Howard Parker
Posts: 2763
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Maryland
Contact:

Post by Howard Parker »

1. G#
2. E
3. C#
4. B
5. G#
6. E
7. C# D
8. A B

This according to the "Steel Guitar Songbook" by DeWitt Scott. The book itself is tabbed for a slightly different E13 tuning as noted in the right hand column.

Cheers,

Howard



------------------
Howard Parker
www.resoguit.com
ListOwner RESOGUIT
User avatar
Howard Parker
Posts: 2763
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Maryland
Contact:

Post by Howard Parker »

Ok, I should know better. The complete title:

"Your Cheatin' Heart"
Steel Guitar Song Book
Compiled and Edited by DeWitt Scott

It's a great E13 primer. Get the tape and get to copy Don hisself!!

h

------------------
Howard Parker
www.resoguit.com
ListOwner RESOGUIT
User avatar
Dave Van Allen
Posts: 6161
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Souderton, PA , US , Earth
Contact:

Post by Dave Van Allen »

Thanks HP!

I'm gonna slap that'n on my Stringmaster 3x8 middle neck- got A6 on the outer;
any suggestions for the inside neck would be appreciated<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 19 February 2000 at 01:39 PM.]</p></FONT>
User avatar
mikey
Posts: 815
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: New Jersey

Post by mikey »

either C6 or C13 inside,
Aloha,
Mike
User avatar
Howard Parker
Posts: 2763
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Maryland
Contact:

Post by Howard Parker »

Ditto Mikey

E13/C6/A6 is what I'm flogging myself with
:-)

h

------------------
Howard Parker
www.resoguit.com
ListOwner RESOGUIT
User avatar
Mark van Allen
Posts: 6413
Joined: 26 Sep 1999 12:01 am
Location: Watkinsville, Ga. USA
Contact:

Post by Mark van Allen »

Hi Dave, How are ya? I'm using a C variant of that Don Helms tuning- ECAGECAF high to low, of course it's the C6 with Amin7 from the A, and a nice juciy 4maj9 from the low F. same as the Helms tuning, but there's something about that C tonality, sounds nice and fat especially in keys of F, G and A. I just got one of those new Sierra laps and put this on there, heaven.

------------------
Mark van Allen-"Blueground Undergrass" Mullen D-10, Fender Triple 8, Dobro

User avatar
Bill Leff
Posts: 1903
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Santa Cruz, CA, USA

Post by Bill Leff »

I really like this tuning (the "Junior
Brown" C13):

1. G
2. E
3. C
4. A
5. G
6. E
7. C
8. Bb

-Bill
Post Reply