Extended C6 tuning for 12 Strings

Buck Dilly · Post by **Buck Dilly** » 12 Aug 2003 11:15 am

I have become comfortable with a C6, 10 string set up, but am putting together a
D-12 PP with extended E9 and C6 tunings. I am set for the E9, but want ideas for C6. I am hoping to avoid the middle D string that is sometimes added, but I would like any recommendations or suggestions as to what strings any of you may have added, and why. (I use a D on top with mostly Emmons type pedals and knee levers.) I may add a G as was traditionally used, but am undecided about placement. Thanks in advance.

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Lacquer Emmons PP,D-10, 9+9, Nationals, Dobro-8, Dan-O's, '70 ES 340, Scofield-Ibanez ES, Tube Amps. "Blue Sparks From Hell", "Kings in Disguise".

Chick Donner · Post by **Chick Donner** » 12 Aug 2003 12:28 pm

For what it's worth, I've got 2 D12 PP's, and my tuning is F-D-G E etc. down to a low C. 3 thru 12 are the "standard C6th tuning. I could probably live without the F, but I've grown used to having both the D and the G.

Jeff Lampert · Post by **Jeff Lampert** » 12 Aug 2003 1:32 pm

I have an 11-string. The first string is D. The second is G. If you want to check out my copedent, just click the link below.

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Jeff's Jazz

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 12 Aug 2003 2:50 pm

On my D-11 I have the standard C6 with an added low A on the bass string. On my MSA D-12 I had the same but a hight G in addition to the D on the first. Worked fine and can cover most anything. The low A on the bass gives you access to minor 7ths like Chalker.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 12 Aug 2003 3:04 pm

The most common extension is to use an "out of order" pair for the first two strings, similar to the E9th: <font face="monospace" size="3"><pre> D
B
G <-- highest string
E
C
A
G
E
C
A
F
C </pre></font>Myself, I like the middle D so much that I duplicate it in the high octave:
<center>

</center>
I've also heard of people splitting the low C into two strings: D and A. I'm not sure how that works exactly...

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<font size="1"><img align=right src="http://b0b.com/Hotb0b.gif" width="96 height="96">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9),
Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax</font>

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 12 Aug 2003 4:05 pm

I play 11 strings:

G
E
C
A
G
E
C
A
G
E
C

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 12 Aug 2003 5:00 pm

Like Chick, I also use F-D-G-E-C on top. I tried the middle D (C# on Universal B6), but it interfered with too many of my 30 year old swing licks!

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Jim Smith jimsmith94@comcast.net
-=Dekley D-12 10&12=-
-=Fessenden D-12 9&9=-
-=Emmons D-12 push pull 9&4 (soon to be 9&9)=-
Stereo Steel rig w/Boss GX-700
IVL SteelRider w/JV-880

Buck Dilly · Post by **Buck Dilly** » 12 Aug 2003 5:31 pm

Chick Donner and Jim Smith- Please tell me more about the F on top. I had considered this. And to anyone else- Do you apply pedal/knee functions to the D, B, F, or G on top.

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 12 Aug 2003 6:39 pm

I raise the D-D# on P8, like Buddy Emmons does, raise the G-G# on P5, and don't pull the F at all. About all I use the F for is a diatonic scale lick C-D-E-F-G with strings 5-2-4-1-3. It's the same scale lick as the A&F position on E9.

Dave Ristrim · Post by **Dave Ristrim** » 13 Aug 2003 5:21 am

I use the standard C6 in the middle with a D for a first string and a low A on the 12th string. It is great having both the D and G at the top because you can get the old banjo type roll going. I think Bobby Black used this tuning back when he had a couple of D12 PP's. By the way, I believe both of his were stolen at some point on a Commander Cody (in New York?) tour way back when. One was black and the other was laquer green if I'm not mistaken. Maybe we should try and find out if one of us owns one? I hope it's not me.
Dave

Chick Donner · Post by **Chick Donner** » 13 Aug 2003 7:04 am

I do not at this time pedal either the F or the D, tho I understand some use the 8th pedal to raise the D to something . . . I assume E flat or E, or maybe someone lowers it to C# or C. Dunno. I'm certainly open to suggestions (tho don't send them with accompanying music theory - I won't have a clue).

Buck Dilly · Post by **Buck Dilly** » 13 Aug 2003 7:28 am

I remember when Bobby's steel was stolen. He had to play my college (New Paltz) that week so Footch Fichetti and I brought our Sho Buds to campus for him to use at an outdoor concert. He is a real gentleman and was very grateful as I recall.
This thread has been very helpful so far.

Bill Cunningham · Post by **Bill Cunningham** » 14 Aug 2003 5:52 am

There was a lot of discussion here a while back on the pros and cons of the D in the middle register and someone was thinking of adding it on the bottom. So a possibility is D GECA GECA FC D. Has anyone tried this "bottom chromatic"?

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 15 Aug 2003 3:19 am

Chick the high D to D# on top of P8 has some nice licks with P6. it's worth adding.