Need suggest on tuning to choose - Melobar 10 string

Dag Wolf · Post by **Dag Wolf** » 21 Aug 2007 6:34 am

Hi folks,
I just bought a 10 string melobar but I have not yet received.
I understand that the fretboard has some marks about which tuning to use.

I`m familar with E9th & C6th pedal steel and Dobro G-tuning.

My use with it are for some more rock with maybe a little distortion.

From the pics it seems like the Melobar has some heavy strings in the middle of the tuning.

Any suggestions about tuning this thing are highly appreciated.

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 21 Aug 2007 11:18 am

WWDAD?
(what would Duane Allman do?)

I'd use open E as a basis for the tuning -- Actually, E9 would work fine. Duane used E B E G# B E for most of his monumental slide guitar work.

I might add a G# between the low E and B
I might also use a chromatic string or two on top and maybe one on the bottom

Something like
D E G# B E G# B E D F#
lowest string is guitar low E (9th)
low D (10th) is a whole tone below the MIDDLE E (6th)

You can also tune the G#s to G for straight minor pentatonic stuff. You could also leave the G#s and tune the first string to G and get the 'Hendrix chord' E7+9 -- that could be cool.

For anything other than rock, I feel that Tommy Morrell's E13 is the most powerful 10 string nonpedal tuning for jazz, jazzy blues, swing, etc.

And, with all that said, Paul Franklin plays a lot of rock lap steel using C6 as his main tuning. I just like open E for rock -- just seems to lay better for me.

Dag Wolf · Post by **Dag Wolf** » 22 Aug 2007 12:42 am

Thanks Larry.

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 22 Aug 2007 4:51 am

Dag,

You can't go wrong using Larry Bell's suggestions. He is an outstanding steel guitarist and never hesitates to help out anyone less experienced than him.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 22 Aug 2007 5:44 pm

The fingerboard has the letters of the C major scale printed on, starting at G on the first batch of 6 strings and C on strings 7 through 10.

If you wanted to tune it the same as 10 string C6 neck you would have to regroove the nut. The nut ia grooved for 6 strings, very close together (too close !), then a large space, then another 4 strings, not tuned in order... the tuning is re-entrant. I can't imagine how it was originally intended to be tuned.

If your Melobar comes complete it should have a wooden notched bar guide between the 6th and 7th strings. Most of them were removed and thrown away.

Let us know how you get on with your Melobar.... I shall be interested to see how you find it.