8-string PSG on the way!

Tony Boadle · Post by **Tony Boadle** » 25 Jul 2017 4:52 am

Hi team!
Well, after starting with a 6-string lap steel, then progressing (?) to an 8-string, and then adding two 'palm pedals'...... I'm now awaiting delivery of a Guyatone 8-string PSG. Three pedals, admittedly no knee levers, but having built those 'palm pedals' myself, I'm fairly confident that I can add a lever or two on the Guyatone.
The main reason for my post is a search for information. Not only some background into the Guyatone PSG brand, but also how the 8-string should be tuned, how it evolved originally, and any other useful input. Oh, and one or two levers?
PS: I'm sticking with 8 strings, I'm primarily a banjer picker, so I have a very limited attention span!

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 25 Jul 2017 7:30 am

You might find this helpful

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... t=williams

Tony Boadle · Post by **Tony Boadle** » 25 Jul 2017 10:08 am

Thanks Tom.... interesting reading!

Jeff Mead · Post by **Jeff Mead** » 26 Jul 2017 1:44 am

I guess the first thing to decide is whether you want to go for a version of E9 or a more jazzy tuning.

If E9 then top 8 or bottom 8? When I had my Fender 1000, I used the bottom 8 strings on my E9 neck. The thing is, you'll probably want to have the standard ABC pedals and, if you're adding 2 knee levers you'll probably want to raise and lower your Es. Unless you are planning on adding at least one more knee lever, I wouldn't go for the Eb/F# on top - I'd really miss being able to lower the Eb string to D. I have a six string pedal steel (2 pedals 1 knee) and tune it like strings 3-8 of regular E9 and it works fine.

If you want a more swing feel, I'd say a 6th - you can look at C6 copedents to get some ideas or choose another one - I love A6 - and apply the equivalent changes.

Someone recently posted the manual for a Fender 1000 up here which includes how it was set up at the factory so that might give you some ideas to play with, although that setup seems to be geared towards using the pedals to get a few different lap steel type tunings rather than the (slightly) more modern style of incorporating pedal string bends into your playing.

Tony Boadle · Post by **Tony Boadle** » 26 Jul 2017 2:06 am

Hi Jeff, my UK Greenwich meantime contact.
I'm actually playing an E6th tuning on my 8-string, with the palm pedals giving me a basic IV. I'd love to work out a way of keeping that tuning whilst involving the three pedals I'll have.
Any thoughts appreciated, stand by for irate E9th responses btw...

Jeff Mead · Post by **Jeff Mead** » 26 Jul 2017 2:18 am

So I guess you will have E, C#, B and G# in there so if you study the C6 copedent (which seems to be more standard than E9), you can relate the changes to your tuning - so your E strings will be equivalent to the C strings on C6, Your C# strings will be equivalent to the A strings on C6 etc. etc.

I'd rewrite the standard C6 copedent as your E6 - working out the equivalent changes and see what works for you.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 26 Jul 2017 4:45 am

When I was 'downsizing,' Larry Bell recommended keeping the second re-entrant string of E9, the D#. I agree.
It increases melodic opportunities, and you can get the D/C# lower with low D->C#.

Richard Alderson · Post by **Richard Alderson** » 26 Jul 2017 6:10 am

The first decision is C6th or E9th; If you are a C6th fan there's lots you can do with 8 strings, even just straight up steel without the pedals. E9th is probably more versatile, and that's where most instructional material leads. I would choose either the top 8 strings of standard E9th tuning; or the bottom 8 strings of standard E9th; Then for your pedals you've pretty much got to have A and B pedal standard Emmons, raising the B strings to C sharp and the G# strings to A, respectively; and then take the third pedal and use it to lower the Es to E flat; Until you get more pedals or knee levers, you really need those three changes for the E9th set up.

Tony Boadle · Post by **Tony Boadle** » 26 Jul 2017 7:10 am

This is good stuff! My present tuning is lo-hi:
E G# B C# E G# B E.
My palm pedals only raise one string each, obviously the top G# to A and the top B to C#.
Assuming the Guyatone can do it, how about just raising both G#s and both Bs.....and then using the third pedal to maybe lower the top and middle Es to D#? Or all three Es if that's possible.....
Just a thought, I'm ready to be corrected if I've missed something obvious!

Tony Boadle · Post by **Tony Boadle** » 27 Jul 2017 5:29 am

I've been racking my limited banjer-picker's brain, trying to work out how I could lower a PSG string using a pedal. Can it be done? If so, any chance of a diagram?

Nathan French · Post by **Nathan French** » 27 Jul 2017 12:56 pm

Tony Boadle wrote:I've been racking my limited banjer-picker's brain, trying to work out how I could lower a PSG string using a pedal. Can it be done? If so, any chance of a diagram?

It depends on the instrument. A gut shot of the changer would be useful since this Guyatone isn't a very common steel.

James Mayer · Post by **James Mayer** » 27 Jul 2017 1:48 pm

Please post photos of this Guyatone PSG. I love the Guyatone stuff.

Tony Boadle · Post by **Tony Boadle** » 27 Jul 2017 2:16 pm

I'll post a pic when the guitar arrives....in a week or so.
I'll try and grab a screen shot from the eBay listing in the meantime. Cheers!

Jeff Mead · Post by **Jeff Mead** » 27 Jul 2017 2:48 pm

Never seen a Guyatone PSG but know a couple of people who have owned D8 Stringmaster sty!e guitars which were really nice instruments.

Tony Boadle · Post by **Tony Boadle** » 5 Aug 2017 2:29 am

The Guyatone has landed! Pics attached as promised.
Suggestions welcome regarding how to convert the C pedal to lower instead of raising?
I'm thinking of tuning to E6th or E7th as per my 'palm pedal' lap steel, I have my raises sorted, but I'll need to lower a pair and it would be easier if I could use the pedal rather than build a knee lever.
BTW, it's a lovely guitar, simple but well made.
It reminds me of my wife.......

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 5 Aug 2017 11:02 pm

Nice guitar, Tony. Love it. I have a D-8 Williams PSG that I love. I have E9th. (top 8 strings) and A6th on it.

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... t=williams

BTW, do you know Norman King, on Sherkin Island?

Tony Boadle · Post by **Tony Boadle** » 6 Aug 2017 1:00 am

Hi Tom, glad you like the guitar. Do I know Norman King? Small world! I gig on Sherkin island with my buddy every weekend through the Summer, we take over from Norman's session when he finishes, sometimes the other way around. I'll try and get a selfie with him this afternoon and post it here tonight. I'll also show him your message. Talk soon! Tony

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 6 Aug 2017 6:47 am

Ha! Small world. My wife & I stayed with Norman in 2008. A very nice man to us. We met him thru a connection with my fiddle partner, Jim Wimmer. Norman & I played a session at the pub on the island. Do you drag your steel over on the ferry?

Tony Boadle · Post by **Tony Boadle** » 6 Aug 2017 7:35 am

Hi Tom...I play banjo and regular guitar for gigs, the PSG is purely recreational!
Attached (hopefully) a selfie of Norman and myself taken ten minutes ago..... I'm the younger, sexier one btw!
Norman says a big hi.
Cheers, Tony

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 7 Aug 2017 12:02 pm

So fun to see this