Jerry Byrd string gauges?

[b0b]

What gauges did Jerry Byrd use on his C6th tuning?

[Andy Volk]

I searched my computer for his gauges but came up empty. I did find this:

Jerry Byrd on his amp and volume pedal preferences, 1994:

“I set the peak volume that I want on the amp – not the instrument. That’s usually about 4.5 or 5, depending on where I’m playing. I then turn the volume on the instrument fully open. I set the treble control on 2 or 3 and the bass to about 7. These setting may vary depending on which instrument I’m using. That other knob (the middle) I set on 6 or 7 also. Then I set the tone control on the instrument half-way between treble and bass, a nice soft tone with a little “edge”, so it won’t sound too bass-ey or too whine-y.

I like and use a volume pedal but NOT continually. And I use it differently from almost anyone I know, in that you can always hear the “attack” – the actual picking – whereas many use it to continually “squeeze” the notes and little or no actual attack is ever heard.

That’s not good because you will become addicted to it. Your subconscious mind will tell you to push that thing down and then pick what strings you want to use, and in case you mess up, you’ve got another grab at it, and THEN you open it up. The only time I use a fully closed volume is when I want to use the “violin” effect, as its called, with each note played with no sound and then opened.

My volume pedal is also made differently in that the volume INCREASES on the up sweep, not down, as all others. I find it the easiest and have always done it that way. Also, I use a 500 meg. audio taper control all around on both guitar and volume pedal.

[Erv Niehaus]

I read someplace that he used the same gauge on several of the strings. I'll see if I can't run that down.

[Doug Beaumier]

I read that too, Erv. As I remember, he said that he would use whatever strings he had on hand at the time, as long as the gauge was close to what it should be. That sometimes meant using the same gauge string on adjacent strings. Sounds like Jerry didn't worry too much about exact gauges.

[Jim Mckay]

Jerry's instruction book "The Jerry Byrd Instruction course for Steel Guitar" lists string gauges if that's any help.

[Andy Volk]

Here's your answer, b0b:

https://steelguitarforum.com/Forum2/HTML/002627.html

[C. E. Jackson]

C. E.

[Doug Beaumier]

This is from Jerry's big course:

[Jeff Spencer]

From the master's own hand.

[b0b]

What wonderful penmanship! Thanks for posting that, Jeff.

[Rick Aiello]

He wrote me in a letter that he used 0.016 for his E, C and A ... a 0.024 plain for his G and whatever flatwounds that were available for the others ...

He said he didn't discuss his choices unless someone "heard it and figured it out" ...

I tried it many years ago ... couldn't handle it.

[Andy DePaule]

Interesting that he use Flat wound strings instead of round wound.
I had been thinking of trying that so now I'm convinced to give it a try.

One problem is that I can't find them in individual strings anywhere after a web search a few days ago.
I hate to have to buy 2 or 3 sets just to get the gauges I'd want for one 8 string tuning.
Anyone know a place that sells them as individual strings?

[Andy DePaule]

Thanks Erv,
That was one of the sites I'd looked at, but didn't see individual gauged strings?
I just sent them an e-mail to see if I'm just not on the right place on their site.
Andy

[b0b]

https://www.steelguitarshopper.com/cate ... e-strings/

[Andy DePaule]

Thanks Bob,
I'd prefer to buy from the forum.
Which ones are the flat wound? And on what page, Pages 1 to 7?
Andy

[b0b]

Check your Private Messages, Andy. Or email me.