Use for Strings 11 & 12 on Extended E9?

[Steve Lipsey]

For you folks who play Extended E9,

-what - and how much - do you really use strings 12 and 11 for?

- what notes do you tune them to - the obvious E and G# below string 10, or something different?

Thanks!

[Dennis Montgomery]

I've had my Mullen G2 SD12 for a few years now and have written/recorded some original songs and a ton of covers. When I write an original song I often use 11 & 12, usually in the intro and the ending to give the piece symmetry and extra weight.

Also, I've done a whole series of "pedal steel only" cover tunes and simply couldn't have done them the way I wanted without having 11 & 12. I arrange and record the main part (chords and vocal melody) for the top 10 strings then come back and multi-track the bass part exclusively using 10/11/12. Having 11 & 12 means I can do the whole song on pedal steel and fill in as low as I need to.

As far as tuning strings 11 & 12, I do what I guess most people playing extended 12 string does with the 3rd and root note. I actually play extended D9 so string 11 = F# and 12 = D...very low D

Bottom line, I originally ordered an SD10 and while waiting for my build, decided I might as well get an SD12 and have the optional extra low range and am very happy I did

[Steve Lipsey]

Ah…ok, let’s add to my question that I play in bands, not solo, and they all have a bass player…

[Chris Brooks]

I use 11 and 12 (along with the other low 4 strings) to play melodies on, just like other strings. The intervals among those "lower 6" are nutty, so they take some practice.

Most folks I hear don't play in this cello range; but the steel guitar sings down there, too.

I find that in pedals-down position (say, C on Fret 3), String 11 is really useful pulled up to a low C with Pedal B, becoming the low tonic of the chord.

My E to F lever also sends String 12 (E) down 1 1/2 tones. Fun for a once-a-night "boo-wah" but it also extends the range of those "lowest 6"

[Fred Treece]

I raise 11 G# to A and leave 12 at E.

I changed from S10 to S12 about 4 years ago. As a long time guitarist, having that E on the bottom was like coming home. I made some adjustments to amp settings too - rolling off some bass (duh).

Those low strings are not for playing backup on trad country, for sure. But they’re great for filling out the low end on the rockers when your guitar player goes into weedly-deedly land.

Depending on your copedent, they can be used for some lower register faux-C6 sounds, both harmonically and melodically. They really do open up some interesting options when lowering string 9 a half tone, or raising/lowering 4 and 8.

If your band doesn’t play anything you can use the extra strings on, they’re still fun to have around if you want to play something else for a change and go exploring. And it’s only two strings, not a whole other neck to ignore like on a D10.

Try it, you’ll like it.

[Bob Sigafoos]

I've been playing 12 strings for 30 years and think its normal! I play extended E9th with E-12 and G#-11. I like to play Travis picking type stuff and those two bottom strings are essential. Key of B at 0-fret string 10 will be your root and string 12 raised to F# will by your fifth and will provide plenty of bouncy bottom end. Add string 8-E and 10 B-C# into the mix plus 12-E and you get chunky rock riffs on an E chord. Maybe not great for strict country stuff but well suited for blues or rockabilly. Plenty of rhythm choices on the bottom 12-11-10-9-8 strings.

[Bobby D. Jones]

I play Jeff Newman's 12 string Universal, I have the 9th string B, 10th string G#, 11th string E.

Some country songs with piano left hand bass fills, I find uses for the octave lower strings. Some of Ray prices songs with strings section, That octave works. George Jones He Stopped Loving her today. The kickoff for When I Dream by Eddy Arnold has some uses.

If you have a bass in the band, Pedals down E at 7th fret and up the neck puts you an octave above the bass.

[Rick Schmidt]

I do this...
https://youtu.be/iJUiMp_I-O0

[Fred Treece]

I do this...
https://youtu.be/iJUiMp_I-O0

This video pretty much determined what I ordered on my Williams S12 5&5. Thanks, Rick! And I’m glad you’re still out there playing and in here offering your wisdom to perpetual rookies like me

[Jim Pitman]

A little off topic - We 12 string universal guys (neuman tuning) tune them to the E and B respectively. In that manner you can easily play bass lines on the PSG (1 and 5). We don't have the low D# (without a raise) though so I admit it may not make sense for extended E9.
BTW I use my B to D# lever a lot and don't miss having it as a non-raised note like you e9ers.