Tuning question

[John Watson]

I want to try tuning an 8 string square neck resonator to a pedal steel E9 tuning, but because the pedal steel E9 is so high pitched, I'd like to lower it 5 tones to make it G9. Just an experiment. Anyone know what the notes would be - all strings just tuned down 5 full tones. I'm not a theory person - pretty much play by ear. I know there's probably other G9 tunings, but I like the pedal steel version. Thanks John

[Fred Treece]

Lowering all 10 strings to G9, low to high:

D-F-G-A-B-D-G-B-F#-A

No matter which 8 strings you decide on, that tuning is kinda low, almost C6 pedal steel without the high end.

[John Watson]

Thanks alot Fred. Yeah a bit low for sure, but it would roughly be within the general range of your typical 6 string square neck G B D G B D tuning I think? I don't something way higher.

[Fred Treece]

Thanks alot Fred. Yeah a bit low for sure, but it would roughly be within the general range of your typical 6 string square neck G B D G B D tuning I think? I don't something way higher.

Yep, it’s definitely more resonator than console steel tuning, though. Should sound fine. It might be cool to go try the low end (from D to G) too.

[Ricky Davis]

I play a lot of my NON-pedal steels and Reso's favoring E9 pedal steel layout...just always made more sense with the music I play(Non bluegrass).
G#
E
C#
B
G#
F#
E
D

So next lower would be and I use a LOT is in D.
F#
D
B
A
F#
E
D
C
Have fun.
Ricky

[John Watson]

Thanks Ricky. I'm a really big fan of your playing. I have my lap steel tuned in a similar way - down one tone, and I find it makes it easier for string pulls. I might try this out on the reso. I see you have a C# in your E9 and you're starting from string 9 of the usual E9 instead of string 10. Interesting. I might try some experimenting with that configuration.
Thanks again for commenting.

[Ricky Davis]

I see you have a C# in your E9 and you're starting from string 9 of the usual E9 instead of string 10. Interesting.

Cool John.; Yeah the E9 pedal steel tuning is based on the whole tones and so Non pedal E9 is really adding the 6th to make whole tone after 5th tone,
So it much easier to play those whole tone scales without having pedals...and also have that Swing sound when needed; and I can still play this perfect Dobro solo on this Dwight song; no problem>
Solo at 2:07>
https://youtu.be/Y0KiHMhlTtI?si=TWKSBRCXxo4lL4_v
Gotta love it.
Ricky

[John Watson]

Thanks for the explanation Ricky, that makes sense. Like the dobro in that tune, and the bridge with the organ is awesome too. Cheers