Questions for U12 players

Fred Glave · Post by **Fred Glave** » 27 Jul 2005 7:00 pm

Are there any of you out there who use the B6 tuning most of the time? I'm wondering if anyone thinks there's any limitations to the B6 on a U12 compared to a standard C6. Also, has anyone ever tried using lighter gauge strings on the lower end as an experiment. Seems like there is some brightness that's missing when compared to a standard C6. I'm very new to the U12, and not all that far along with pedal steel in general.

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 27 Jul 2005 7:23 pm

I don't play mostly B6; if I did I would tune to B6, but I do play it a lot. I have played all of the Emmons 'Black Album' classic C6 tunes at one time or the other.

I would welcome you to listen to some of the sixth tuning examples on my 'tunes' page on my website with particular attention to 'Anthropology' and the three Christmas songs, all of which are primarily sixth tuning focused. Do you think they sound dark compared to C6? I don't. It's just a half step.

No, I would not recommend lighter strings on the bottom. I've been using a 068 on the bottom of my Sho-Bud recently and think it sounds mushy and a little bit of bar pressure takes it way sharp. My favorite gauge on the bottom is 079, but a 074 will do in a pinch.

You can put exactly the same changes on B6 as C6 and even devote separate left knee levers as many C6 players do. I don't advocate that solution personally, nor do I advocate a lever lock but some do.

Feel free to EMail me if you want to take the discussion offline or reply here. Good luck.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 197? Sho-Bud S-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Dan Burnham · Post by **Dan Burnham** » 28 Jul 2005 12:46 am

David Wright is playing B6 open tuning. I suggest that you talk to him. U12 whatever way you look at it is the way IMHO that it all is moving toward. I played David's tuning for about 8 months and it's a nice configuration. It's an off shoot of Reece's tuning but has a wonderful sound and plays nice. Give David a hollar!

John Daugherty · Post by **John Daugherty** » 28 Jul 2005 4:27 am

Fred, Using the B6 tuning on a U12 guitar has no limitations as I see it. You can jump from E9 to B6 at the push of a knee lever,which can be an advantage.
If you are not using stainless steel strings,I suggest you try a set. That will give you a brighter sound. I have been using the Jagwire stainless U12 set which I purchased from the forum. I like them. [This message was edited by John Daugherty on 28 July 2005 at 05:29 AM.]

George Macdonald · Post by **George Macdonald** » 28 Jul 2005 5:20 am

Fred, My open tuning is B6th and has been for 30 years. Maurice Anderson set up my MSA to B6th with the F# sharp string in the third position. This was before the days of triple raise changers and I did without a "C" pedal for many years. I find it very comfortable to just lean against the RR knee lever to raise strings 4 and 8 from Eb to E. My Carter has all of the changes found on most D10's including the "Franklin" pedal. I do play more E9th style music than C6th but it just doesn't make any diference being tuned to B6th. George

Fred Glave · Post by **Fred Glave** » 28 Jul 2005 4:57 pm

Thanks guys. I guess I just need some good learning material for the U12 in general.
I seem to be stalled on the B6 end of things. Larry, that's some nice pickin on your site. If I became 1/1000 as good as you I'd be as happy as a clam.

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 28 Jul 2005 5:08 pm

Fred,
The key to learning the universal is to realize that ALL course material, be it E9 or C6, is easily adaptable to the U-12. Just read E9 from the top down and C6 from the bottom up and you'll do just fine. There is some material specifically for E9/B6, but if it's the sixth stuff you're interested in, the best of it has been developed for C6.

That's a big point of confusion for a lot of players. If you limit yourself to material written for E9/B6 the pickens are slim. We can use it ALL. Thanks for the kind words and if I can be of any assistance in your quest don't hesitate to ask.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1984 Sho-Bud S/D-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Ron Randall · Post by **Ron Randall** » 28 Jul 2005 10:04 pm

I play a Bb6/Eb9 Universal. The guitar open is tuned to Bb6. When one looks at the intervals, I see no substantial difference with C6, I am just 2 half-steps down. I get to use slightly heavier strings than C6. I have a G on the second string. I started playing non-pedal steel in C6 and A6 so it was natural for me to have a sixth tuning to start with.
As far as lighter gauges on the B6, I would not recommend it. My bottom string open is a C and it is a .068 and my 8 pedal lets it way down to a G. Sometimes I use a .070.

FWIW 1)Change strings first. USe the recommended gages. Wound Nikel strings will give a bright sound. The big strings do lose their brightness quickly.(2 weeks)
2) Adjust pickup height
3) tweak amp
4) try another pickup

The tab and instruction material does not really slow me down. I am never more than 2 frets away.

i hope this helped.

ron

John Daugherty · Post by **John Daugherty** » 29 Jul 2005 4:09 am

Fred, Jeff Newman made a good instruction course for the E9/B6 universal(VHS video).
He also had the cassette audio tape w/instruction book. www.jeffran.com

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 29 Jul 2005 8:46 am

I switched my U12 to favor B6th by changing the order of the first 3 strings to 1-D#, 2-G#, 3-F#.