Rogue 21.0" String Sets

[Tony Oresteen]

I have a couple of Rogue 21.0" lap steels that I upgraded to use GeorgeBoards' 22.5" scale conversion kit. Highly recommended! I had developed 4 string sets for the 21" scale and was about to delete them from my string data when I thought I ought to post them here for new players who always ask what string sets to use with a Rogue. Here's what I used:





The "O" column is the Octave that the note lies in.

I buy single strings from Just Strings and make up my own sets.

Enjoy!

[Bob Jennings]

Tony Oresteen.

I have two of the Rogue LSR-1 steels.

I am wondering if I should do the George Boards Mod to 22.5 inch scale or just try to learn to play it on the original 21 inch scale. Your Opinion and, what string gauges should I put on for E13 tuning--G# E C# B G# C

Your opinion and info will be appreciated.

Bob Jennnings

[Tony Oresteen]

Bob,

I would convert them to 22.5" using GeorgeBoard's kits. At some point you will probably get a better steel guitar and 22.5" scale is a standard. I consider the 23.0" scale to be the same and I use the same strings for both.

As to your E13th tuning, you don't specify if the notes are listed Low To High (L2H) or High to low (H2L). To avoid confusion please specify which way they are listed.

The notes G# E C# B G# C are confusing as there is no C natural in the key of E. It does occur in an E augmented chord but that would be very unusual for a tuning.

Let me layout some chord theory

In the Key of E there are 4 sharps. Here is how E chords are built:




An E13th chord contains the 7 notes E G# B D F# A C#. It is common on the piano to drop the 3rd keeping the 5th or drop the 5th keeping the 3rd. Likewise the 7th or 9th can be dropped.

I looked for common 6 string E13 tunings and could find none. Please check the E tuning you want and I will take a look at it.

[Bob Jennings]

Tony,

I goofed on the C string--it's like this High to Low Strings:

G# E C# B G# E

Thank you for the info--and the info on the Georgeboards Kit--I checked it out and they seem to be easy to do the Mod.

Bob J.

[Tony Oresteen]

Bob,

That makes a lot more sense. That is commonly known as an E6. There is no 9th (F#) or 11th (A) so the C# is the 6th.

It is exactly the same as standard 6-string C6, transposed down to E6.

Here are the string sets:





Also, get a copy of Andy Volk's book "Slide Rules" if you do not have it. It is a good reference to have.

Hope this helps you.

[Bob Jennings]

Tony,

What you sent really helps me understand; I appreciate this. Sorry about the goof up on the C and you cleared it up on the E6 tuning--

Thank you again on all the Info,

Bob J.

[Bob Jennings]

Tony,

One last question: Is this correct on the E6--heavy gauge strings and all Wound?

Bob J.

[Ken Koellner]

Can I inquire about how you did those string calculations? Was that done with some online tool?

I eventually want to get a lap steel to practice GBDGBD and will want to compute the proper gauge strings. And I may also eventually want to play with some other tunings.

[Tony Oresteen]

Tony,

One last question: Is this correct on the E6--heavy gauge strings and all Wound?

Bob J.

Yes it is correct. The low E is the same as the low E on regular Spanish guitar, E2. That is 4 full steps below the low C3 for regular C6. And this is on a 22.5" scale - it needs a big string to get that low with 30 pounds of pull. Ditto for the other 5 strings.

The lowest I would go personally on a 22.5" scale lap steel is F2 which would require a 0.064 size string. See:

viewtopic.php?t=402078&highlight=

[Tony Oresteen]

Can I inquire about how you did those string calculations? Was that done with some online tool?

I eventually want to get a lap steel to practice GBDGBD and will want to compute the proper gauge strings. And I may also eventually want to play with some other tunings.

I use Stringjoy's calculator:

https://tension.stringjoy.com/

I used to used D'Adarrio's tension calculator but it has been down for 3 years or so.

For Open G Dobro on a 22.5" neck try this:




I use it on my 2nd BR-9.

viewtopic.php?t=401674&highlight=

[Ken Koellner]

I was messing around with StringJoy's calculator for just a minute or two and thought it worked pretty well so I'll go back to it.

But based on what you posted, it should be pretty darn easy to get a set as 0.016-0.056 is standard for square neck resos in GBDGBD so and off-the-rack set should work.

One minor follow-up... With the same gauge as an acoustic and about 10% shorter scale, I would assume the lap steel would have be bit less tension. Is that noticeable or typical?

[Tony Oresteen]

.... One minor follow-up... With the same gauge as an acoustic and about 10% shorter scale, I would assume the lap steel would have be bit less tension. Is that noticeable or typical?

I am not sure. The values will be different. Acoustic strings are bronze phosphorus which will give different values than nickle wrapped strings. Makes sure you select Acoustic strings in the Stringjoy calculator when calculating acoustic string pull or the results will be for nickle wrapped stings.