tuning question

[Bob Moore]

I have a 8 string lap steel and wondering if I could put the E9 on it without problems and droping the top 2 strings. or is there a better tuning to put on. Thanks you
Bob Moore

[Joe A. Roberts]

Generally speaking, E9th really is a pedal tuning, without the pedals it is much more limited and you will not get the E9th sound you are likely imagining. (it is not a bad tuning though)
On the other hand, C6th is a really good tuning without pedals, and most non-pedal learning materials will be in that tuning. For C6th, you could use the middle 8 of the pedal C6th.

If your ultimate goal is sounding like a pedal steel, you should try your best to save up or get your hands on one, it really is a different ballgame.

To answer your question though, if you know your goal is to play E9th pedal steel and you really want to get used to the tuning, as best you can for now, then it might be that the top 8 of the 10 are a better choice.
This is because those top two (so-called "chromatic") out of sequence strings are weird and require practice to get used to.
But somebody with actual pedal experience may be able to speak to that matter better than I can...

Good luck with whatever path you choose

[Ricky Davis]

Yes indeed it's a great tuning I've used for a million years..ha...here's my set up>
That is actually my S-8 Fender Stringmaster.
G#
E
C#
B
G#
F#
E
D
Here's a thread with me playing a whole night with a singer with just that tuning; and they're all dropbox links; so just accept and exit out of sign in's and click play>

viewtopic.php?t=400985

Ricky

[Bob Moore]

I already have a E9 pedal steel Carter 3&5 but it is getting to heavy for me to carry around especially steps. I have a cart for level walking but the steps are hard. Steel weighs 50+lbs. I have a 8 string lap. Just trying to figure out my options. Thanks for the reply. Do you know the 8 string C6 string tuning? Bob

[Bob Moore]

Thank you Ricky I will write them dowm and play with it.Bob

[Allan Revich]

These two are most common C6 for 8 strings I think

C6 – A C E G A C E G
C13 – B♭ C E G A C E G

There are other possibilities too, like Jerry Byrd’s tunings,

C6+A7 – A C C♯ E G A C E
C13 – C B♭ C E G A C E (low C)

[Joe A. Roberts]

Well E13th is a different story, that C# string in there adds a lot of chords.

This was the original 8 string E9th tuning from the 50s, which also happens to be good for non pedal playing:

E
B
G#
F#
D
B
G#
E