Tuning Reso to "A"

[Eddie Thomas]

Has anyone tuned their Reso to "A"? If so, what is the tuning and what string guages would you use? I'm just curious, and thinking of doing some experimenting. Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Noah Miller]

I keep mine in the same A6 tuning as my electric lap steels. Easy to switch back and forth.

[K Maul]

I think Big E tuned to A when he played dobro. He did that on some John Hartford records in the 70s.

[Ricky Davis]

Yes I would do just that between G Reso tuning; right to A6 Tuning depending on the style of Band I'm playing/recording with.
D > C#
B > A
G > F#
D > E
B > C#
G > A
Same popular "G" Reso String Gauges.
Ricky

[Eddie Thomas]

Thanks everyone, for the help and info! I appreciate ya!

[Tim Toberer]

This chart has worked for me

[Eddie Thomas]

Thanks so much Tim!

[Erv Niehaus]

I tune mine to A,high bass: E C# A E C# A.
Erv

[D Schubert]

Bashful Brother Oswald used hi-bass A tuning as well.

[Jerry Overstreet]

I don't think that chart works for squareneck guitars. We use heavier strings for those than we do for conventional fretted instruments.

There are several players here who use A tuning I think. They should be able to give you a rundown on the string gauges for A tuning. There may even be a set available for A tuning 135,135. This might be the best provided you are intending a permanent A tuning.

If you're just experimenting back and forth from G to A, then you're probably fine with the standard G set. If it were me, for a perm tuning, I'd want a little lighter string set.

[Dave Mudgett]

Yeah, I agree with Jerry that those string gauges are pretty light for typical squarneck resonator. Typical sets for standard lo-hi GBDGBD using a typical bluegrass set are more like lo-hi 56, 46, 36, 28w, 18/19p, 16/17p, which have tensions more in the high-30s to 40 pound-per-string range. I'd use a string tension calculator to get me in the ballpark for a different tuning - I use this one - https://tension.stringjoy.com/

Of course, this assumes that the resonator is in good structural shape. If that's not true, you might want to consider smaller gauge strings. But again, that's where a string tension calculator is particularly useful.

[Eddie Thomas]

Thanks to all who've chimed in, you guys are the best!

[Tim Toberer]

I don't think that chart works for squareneck guitars. We use heavier strings for those than we do for conventional fretted instruments.

I kind of forgot about that. I will say that lighter gauges work for me. I also use pure nickel strings, usually don't wear fingerpicks and my guitar is 8 string. It's a matter of taste, but I prefer a less bright, mellow sounding instrument. Experimenting with string gauges is really interesting and can completely change an instrument. The chart gets you in the ballpark, but reso guitars do seem to prefer a little heavier gauges especially on the wound strings.. Go too heavy and it can permanently change your instrument! If you go too light the tone will be weak and you may have some rattles develop.

[Sebastian Müller]

A Highbass is my main tuning, you can find my string gauges here:

https://hawaiian-steel-guitar.com/tunings

[Rich Arnold]

This chart has worked for me

That's the chart I use. It gets me in the ballpark then I adjust heavier or lighter to my own likings as will everybody. We all have different hands.
Since I have a heavy right hand, I go heavier most of the time.