E9 Wound Sixth String-Yeah!

Michael Frede · Post by **Michael Frede** » 11 Sep 2003 10:40 am

How many of you folks use a wound 6th string on your E9?After trying this I'll never go back to a plain string again.Tuning accuracy and tone are much improved-I think it's great!

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 11 Sep 2003 10:55 am

I've tried a plain string from time to time, but I never could get used to it.

Lately I've been using a .022 stainless wound, even though the rest of my wound strings are nickel. It helps to bridge the tone gap between the plain and wound strings, and increases separation a bit between the 6th and 7th string. It's a wierd idea, I know, but it works for me!

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/Hotb0b.gif" width="96 height="96">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
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Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 11 Sep 2003 11:19 am

Not at all a weird idea, Bobby. My biggest complaint since I changed over to the wound 6 is that the 6 is now a little too warm, soft, and fuzzy compared to the 5th. Unfortunately I also changed all my wound strings over to stainless recently so I can derive no contrast by using the ss 6. I am trying a .24 now to try to gain a little balls there. But I do miss some of that spikiness you get from a plain string. But Michael, you're not kidding about tuning stability. I have always wrassled with the instability and those false overtones with the plain 6. Adios to that nonsense! [This message was edited by Jon Light on 11 September 2003 at 12:20 PM.]

Dennis Detweiler · Post by **Dennis Detweiler** » 11 Sep 2003 11:30 am

Does the wound 6th work if you are using the G# to F# ? Possibly a heavier wound 6th?
Dennis

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 11 Sep 2003 11:34 am

Depends on the guitar. I've heard of guitars that couldn't do it. My Carter can. You have to rod it to maximize your leverages and then it's still a pretty long throw.

richard burton · Post by **richard burton** » 11 Sep 2003 11:36 am

Dennis, you will require more movement with a heavier string.

Loren Morehouse · Post by **Loren Morehouse** » 11 Sep 2003 11:43 am

I did the same change on my Bud a little while back for tuning purposes(much more stable), however after I broke it for the second time, I went back to the plain. Loren.

David Spires · Post by **David Spires** » 11 Sep 2003 12:50 pm

It just goes to show - different strokes for different folks. I have used a .022" plain for the 6th string for, probably 7 years, but I always had more tuning trouble with that string than any. Earlier this summer, I changed to a .022" wound - nickel string (yes, lowering to F# on my Carter), and I loved the stable tuning of it. However, I just couldn't stand the sound of it.

I actually stayed with it for 6 or 8 weeks (not the same identical string), trying to give it time to settle on my ears, but I changed back a few weeks ago... I play a lot on the 5th and 6th in unison, and a lot of single melody notes on the 6th. I just like the similar tone that the plain strings give me.

It is probably all in my head, but then again - isn't everything? Just thought I would add my two cents.

Still Experimenting,

David Spires[This message was edited by David Spires on 11 September 2003 at 01:54 PM.]

Tony Dingus · Post by **Tony Dingus** » 11 Sep 2003 6:57 pm

I use a 22w GHS Boomer along with a set of SIT's and I love it and I lower it to F#.
The Boomer used less travel than the SIT and might be a little brighter to match the 5th
string.
Tony

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 11 Sep 2003 7:21 pm

Very few "big name" steel players use a wound 6th string. Lloyd Green is the only one I know of.

It's interesting that it's mostly used by us amateurs and weekend warriors...

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<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

JB Arnold · Post by **JB Arnold** » 12 Sep 2003 5:43 am

Actually, Eddie Fulawka builds his guitars with the idea in mind that you will use the wound .22, so the rods are adjusted as such for that kind of work. (You know Eddie-If you can measure a small change in how the strings will make the guitar work, he adjusts for it.)

JB

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Fulawka D-10 9&5
Fessenden D-10 8&8
"All in all, looking back, I'd have to say the best advice anyone ever gave me was 'Hands Up, Don't Move!"
www.johnbarnold.com/pedalsteel
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Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 12 Sep 2003 5:58 am

I drop my 6th string a whole tone and gave up trying to make a wound string work on my LeGrande. I had it adjusted for maximum throw and I maybe could have made it work but the return spring was stretched out sooooo far that it made the knee lever way tooooo stiff to operate comfortably.

Erv[This message was edited by Erv Niehaus on 12 September 2003 at 07:01 AM.]

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 12 Sep 2003 7:07 am

I used a plain 6th string for years...than went to a wound, about 8 years ago...and will never go back....>the tuning stability and sound of the string is much better to my ears.
Lowering a wound 6th string is tuff on many guitars...as the pivot in the changer are not the right leverage.
The Fulawka pedal steel however; can lower a wound .022 Two whole tones if you want it to...as Ed's changer design and mechanics are just genious.
If you are trying to lower a wound 6th string and it's just not making it on your guitar....>if you have raise spring....take it Off.
Ricky

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 12 Sep 2003 8:53 am

I have always used a heavy plain 6th string.I feel it gets more bite, a better and more even sound with the others. I use that pull on E9 AND E6, (G# to F# lower)

There are several guitars that will easily lower that string a whole tone, and some that won't...........al

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

Steven Welborn · Post by **Steven Welborn** » 12 Sep 2003 9:21 am

Im going to give it a try because the R. Davis Signiture Jaguire nickel set comes with a wound 6th and I prefer those gauges except I'm used to a plain .22 on 6th. I suspect the p/p wont like it though as I lower G#-F#. I always assumed a plain 6th was better for tonal ballance when doing 5th and 6th string harmonies.

Michael Frede · Post by **Michael Frede** » 12 Sep 2003 10:06 am

Hey Ricky!b0b sez yer an amateur!

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 12 Sep 2003 10:29 am

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 12 Sep 2003 12:19 pm

I am a Professional Amateur

[This message was edited by Ricky Davis on 12 September 2003 at 01:20 PM.]

Joey Gaskins · Post by **Joey Gaskins** » 13 Sep 2003 11:39 am

I'm about to find out where I fit in. I just received a couple sets of Ricky Davis strings and I'm putting them on tomorrow. I'm steel searching for that sound that Ricky has on the Linda Lay CD.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 13 Sep 2003 11:51 am

Most guitars will make this change if the lowering spring isn't too stiff! My advice (to those who have tried it on their guitar, and found it wouldn't work), is to try a lighter return spring, or try lowering the return-spring tension (if your guitar has such an adjustment).

Anders Brundell · Post by **Anders Brundell** » 13 Sep 2003 12:51 pm

I had to double the spring under the guitar to make an 020 wound rize all the way - tensing the original spring to it's maximum wasn't enough (I play a keyless Sierra single 14 universal long scale), and also the wound 020ies breaks too often.
Do you think I do something wrong here, Ricky (and/or others who know the mechanics well)?

Michael Frede · Post by **Michael Frede** » 15 Sep 2003 2:25 pm

Thank you very much for the clarification,Ricky.Haw haw!I just couldn't resist that one!Anyhow,I use standard E9 sets that have .020 plain for a 6th.By substituting a .020 nickel wound,I moved the pull rod out one hole on the bellcrank and retuned-no problems(all-pull changer).It's been on there a while now and hasn't broken yet-time will tell.

richard burton · Post by **richard burton** » 15 Sep 2003 9:33 pm

Anders, you have done exactly what I do on all-pull steels. I make extension arms that locate on the changer finger, which allows me to use much longer return springs. On my ZB the return springs are at least 6 inches long. This makes lowering much easier, as the percentage extension of the spring is neglible compared to a normal length spring.

J D Sauser · Post by **J D Sauser** » 17 Sep 2003 8:25 am

I moved to a w.o22 a long time ago. I like it better for tone and tuning stability. As I heard this was the way it used to be for most until BE introduced that G#-to-F#-drop on a lever. Most of back then changers couldn't handle it and they went to these thik plain string... true? Makes sense at least. But I would like to think that most newer steel can now handle the longer throw for that drop with a wound string.

... J-D.

Dag Wolf · Post by **Dag Wolf** » 17 Sep 2003 8:40 am

Quote: ""Very few "big name" steel players use a wound 6th string. Lloyd Green is the only one I know of.
It's interesting that it's mostly used by us amateurs and weekend warriors...""
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Well, JayDee Maness and Tom Brumley are two other "big name" players that uses a wound .022

I use a wound .022 as well but it took quite a while to get use to the different "tone" of it.
It`s a lot easier to get the 6th string in tune with a .022w.

Dag
[This message was edited by Dag Wolf on 17 September 2003 at 09:41 AM.]