You are a legend for this one. Guitarist here wanting to learn lap steel, heard about all the tunings, you made it easy to figure out the vibe and benefits of each of them. Thanks so much!

@texas_swing

5 ай бұрын

That's great, glad it can help you! If you check out some of the other videos I posted, it should help you get going. Good luck!

Thank you very much. Looking forward to more vids, especially in C6.

Informative! Thanks for putting this together.

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Great info, various turnings always eluded me 👍

@texas_swing

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

A great help thank you.❤

@texas_swing

3 ай бұрын

Glad it helped!

Great, thanks.

Really helpful. Thanks!

Thanks Ethan, can not wait to retune my Harmony and get krankin'!

Thanks for this. Waitin for that video on 8-string tunings!

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! That'll be coming up...

Very helpful. Thank you so much.

@texas_swing

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Cool stuff, man. Enjoy the content.

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

thanks for watching!

Thank You! Very informative!

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

Glad it can help you out- thanks for watching!

Thank you for the vid. Just got my 6 string rogue (love picking up different instruments) and can't wait to try it out !!!!!!

@texas_swing

5 ай бұрын

Great, I think you'll enjoy it!

Love your channel Brother Shaw. Liked and subscribed. Thanks for the help for us beginners!

@texas_swing

Ай бұрын

Thank you and I'm glad it's helping!

Thank you very much for being so generous with your time. Watched the other with the 3 lap string choices, their inventory is taking a beating, need to find one on local online market to get around shipping and the exchange to Canadian.

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! Yeah, sometimes you just have to wait for the right one to show up.

C6/A6 - Jerry Byrd / Herb Remington

@texas_swing

28 күн бұрын

Yep!

Thank you !

thank you! so grateful for the one-stop for everything i need to know to start. all those licks you played is exactly why i want to learn! all the best to you and your followers.

@texas_swing

18 күн бұрын

Thanks for watching, and all the best to you, too!

Great stuff Ethan, this kind of info is exactly what the novice steel player needs ! And thanks for mentioning A-Higbass 😊!

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Sebastian! I was actually thinking of you when I mentioned that. You're definitely showing everyone what can be done with that tuning!

@HawaiianSteelGuitar

Жыл бұрын

@@texas_swing Thanks for the kind words, Ethan, love your playing !

Thanks!

Thanks. C6 it is, for my ancient Supro.

B-11. It's the best.

Omg, im a getting into lap steel, and ive lazily tuned to dadgad and havent been “getting” it, im changing as soon as i get the chance! Thank you ❤

@texas_swing

5 ай бұрын

Great, I hope this helps you out!

Thank you.

The C6 is so cool!

@texas_swing

9 ай бұрын

agreed!

I tuned mine in G, Major,Has work for me for over 30 years, good l uck!

I love the 8-String A6 tuning.

@texas_swing

3 ай бұрын

me too.

Great vid thanks .

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching, Kevin!

Excellent subject and great demo. Love the 6th tunings. Very interested in your 8 string stuff. Thanks

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for checking it out!

Good info. Thx

@texas_swing

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

You're a great player!

@texas_swing

9 ай бұрын

thank you!

Thank you! I'm just starting out with lap steel. This is a big help. I bought a 1956 Fender Champion and a Road King with a Certano note bender. My goal is to learn Mercury Blues by Davis Lindley.

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

It's a great feeling when you get it down. Have fun!

@dbs3278

9 ай бұрын

A worthy goal!

Great video. Thanks. I intend to explore C6, but let me meantime plug a variant of your open G, which I got from rock guitarist David Gilmour. He does an open G with a low D at bottom, but he also tunes the top D up to an E. I’m finding it has a couple of advantages over open G. First, the top four strings are the same as guitar standard tuning, so familiar. Secondly, you have a minor triad in the top four strings. Future video ideas, your tone is great. I’d love to see you share more techniques for how you get it, and also show how you sound on a cheap vs expensive lap steel.

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

Gilmour really uses the steel in a cool way, and definitely knows what's up! Thanks for the compliment- both those steels are just cheap lap steels, played through a blues jr. Have fun on your steel journey!

I just purchased a 6 string lap steel and I'm LOST. Looking forward to more videos from you. Thank you 👍🙂

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

Hang in there, you'll get it!

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

check out my 12 bar blues video- it should help get you going.

@robertmerritt5507

Жыл бұрын

@@texas_swing Thanks for your information and I look forward to viewing it. ☺️

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

@@robertmerritt5507 My pleasure, brother!

Bravo!

@texas_swing

3 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

C6 sounds super nice….Im hooked….

@texas_swing

5 ай бұрын

Haha, I think you'll like it!

Wow, you sold me! 😀 Great instructional video sir, been thinking about giving one a try, now I'm definately going to, thanks!

@texas_swing

7 ай бұрын

Glad to help- have fun!

I got the 8 string SX. My journey begins! 😇

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

Have fun, brother!

@darkthingswithmarkdavis4497

Жыл бұрын

@@texas_swing Thanks, man! 😁

I was persuaded to tune my National Tricone to C6 by a pedal steel player. What I like is that it is an Am above a C major, with three inversions each. I have left it that way because it is so versatile and playable in any key.

@texas_swing

3 ай бұрын

C6 is a great tuning.

Ethan... Love your video's, and thank you especially for this one! I will be 74 yrs "young" in just a week and a half from now... and decided to "try" and get back onto the Electric Bass just last year (2022), after Not having played since 18 yrs old.... I also want to learn Lap/console Steel, so I've been looking around for a lap steel to practice on. After watching Your video on the best beginner steels to get... I bought an SX - an Epiphone Electar... A Rogue, a Gretsch 5715 and an "el cheapo" ($146.) double neck 6 from Ebay (which I've wired in a neck selection/isolation switch and 2 new Strat pickups, tone pot and changed the capacitor... tuners are next), as well as a 1956 National D8, which I just got for trading the Rogue & the Gretsch 5715 (Black Sparkle), both of which were "pre-owned", but in excellent shape. I did Not like the Gretsch for the fact that I felt the strings were too close together for my big hands & fingers.... anyway, I have the National all apart already and am going to do a complete refurbishing on it from the inside/out.. along with new strings, which I already have (selected for C6, A6, open E, D & G (low bass) after it's all done.... just don't know yet, which Two tunings I should apply to it. As a complete "newbie" to steel, and wanting to focus on & play... Classic Country (late 50's through late 70's/early-mid 80's), Western/Texas Swing & Blue Grass.... what would be Your number one choice of tuning for all or each of these genre's.... as an absolute Beginner, to Learn On? Would you suggest just learning on ONE lap steel, with just One tuning and IF so, Which Tuning would be Best suited and easiest to learn on.... or is it possible (or even recommended?) to learn more than one tuning at once?..... bottom line is... HELLLLP!?! lol. Any and all suggestions Will Be greatly appreciated!!.... considering all I've written here. Thanks for your time, Ethan... and any helpful input you can send my way..... I "may be" confusing my own situation (Ya THINK?!!?) with too many "options" in front of me... too soon. PS: I have stocked up on numerous string sets (23, altogether) in different & duplicate (in case of breakage) tunings for 6 & 8 string steels.... can you help me "sort this out" and get it Simplified.... so I can start learning the steel? Thanks again... Greatly Appreciate your time & suggestions/tips, etc.

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

I'd stick with just one main steel guitar to start with. whatever your favorite one is. For 6 strings, I'd start with C6. There's a lot of instructional material and it's really versatile. If you ever move into 8 strings, A6 is my favorite, but you can easily translate your C6 knowledge into that. Have fun on your journey, and I'll try to post some more videos to help along the way!

@Romans--bo7br

Жыл бұрын

@@texas_swing.... Ethan, Thank you So Much for your reply, I really appreciate it.... and forgive me for my slow response back to you.. I just found it (7.3.2023) after re-watching this video again. I'm taking your advice and going to learn the C6 tuning. I'm replacing the original (Chinese) strings on my Epiphone Electar as I write this (well... stopped while I reply, here), with a new set of SIT's ("Scotty's") gauged for C6 tuning. I've also tuned my SX to C6 as well, but I think the Epiphone will be my "go to" while learning... I prefer the tone quality it produces better than the SX.... it seems to have a "sweeter/mellower" tone to it. The pickup on the SX is pretty "hot"... and I'm considering changing it out for a much better quality setup.... perhaps a good P-90, coupled with a Humbucker and attendant switch & controls.... which I Love doing, anyway. lol I just bought a new Fender Champion 40 w (sgl. 12" speaker) last week, to use with my Lap steels... I was using my Acoustic 100w Bass amp, out of necessity, but it was too "muddy" for use with the lighter strings of the lap steels, as well as for whenever I "mike" any of my Harmonica's. I bought the Fender Champion, due to all the voices & FX sampling, etc. that I can experiment with, as I progress with the steel... also bought a new Morley 20/20 Volume Pedal, and a Boss RV6 Reverb/Delay Pedal which I have hooked up, between the Volume pedal and the amp. I've finished completely restoring the National D8 (Double neck 8), that I mentioned in my first comment/questions to you.. and it came out beautifully.... I have "Scotty's" SIT string sets for it, in.. C6, A6, E7th & E13th... not sure what tunings I will use on it, yet..... need to learn the 6 string, first... so it's back in it's "nearly mint" condition, original Hard case for now. I've saved your YT Channel to my Lap Steel folder in my pc, and will be watching for more (hopefully) "beginner" type videos from you. I appreciate your time and work to put these videos on line.... Thanks again, and Happy(?) 4th of July, Ethan.

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

@@Romans--bo7br Thanks for watching, and you, too!

@Romans--bo7br

Жыл бұрын

@@texas_swing...... Thank you! PS; How did you get to be known as "Brother Shaw"??...... a "Brother" in the Lord? : )

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

@@Romans--bo7br No problem! It was a nickname one of my best friends/bandmates gave me years ago.

Im based in Austin and play Leon McAuliffes e13 and the other neck has changed about 10 times. I started on c6 because of learning material , but I have never enjoyed the sound of c6. It's too high and lacks the perfect timbre of the a6 .lately I use Don Helms e6th and it just sounds right to my ears. With no pesky A string to avoid. Fits right in with western swing to me. Zero learning material but I have to have it. That being said , your c6 sounds way better than mine!

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! I agree, I don't really like C6 with a high G because of the thin sound on top, so I usually use A6 myself ( on an 8-string neck). I do like C6 for 6-string, and I use a Don Helms type tuning (with a G# on top) a lot if I have multiple necks. It's great for that Hank stuff, but also really nice to have that high 3rd for everything.

merci

I've got that same black Epiphone.

@texas_swing

6 ай бұрын

They're nice guitars!

Really enjoyed this. Had my electromatic around a year now, learning c6 pretty much everything I love works, Hank w, Webb Pierce etc, thanks so much for the video it's very helpful especially as I'm saving for a dobro at present

@texas_swing

3 ай бұрын

I'm glad it helped you out!

Thx for the info. ♥ What is the best wood for lap steel in your opinion?

@texas_swing

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for listening! I honestly don't know. I know ash is popular, but there are great steels made out of aluminum!

sound very good !!what its the ampli are you using??

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I don't remember if I used my Fox Vintage Tweed Twin clone, or just a Blues Jr. I like both!

Something I would like to see a lesson on.. You got a one of those 3 section Lap Steels in front of you with of course 3 tunings. How do you determine what one you use with what Key the song is being played in ? Does it matter if it's just a 1-4-5 or does it make a difference with a minor in there say 1-6m-4-5 ? Thanks

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

You're right, that would be a good lesson, and I'll try to get on that. To give a short response for now, it mostly depends on what type of chords you need to play in the song (7th, 9th, minor, 13th, etc.) Thanks for watching, and I'll try to get into more detail in a new video.

Hey Ethan, may I ask what amp and settings you are using for the Electar Century? I have one too but it doesn't sound as good as yours does! 😄

@texas_swing

5 ай бұрын

Sure! It was through a Fender blues Jr. Turn the presence and treble all or most of the way off and use the mid as your treble.

Hi Brother Shaw. Thanks for the video. Which tuning do you think I should use to play some Santo & Johnny songs? I mean, are there materials in one tuning more than another? Thanks.

@texas_swing

Ай бұрын

That stuff uses a 6th tuning, so I'd use C6 for 6 string, or C6 or A6 for 8 string.

I need your advice. I am planning on installing Certano benders on the 2nd (whole step) and 3rd (half step) strings. I don't play traditional music (country, blues, etc), it's more of a Lanois ambient stuff. A lot is achieved with m7, m11, maj7, maj9 chords. The ease of using minor is very important. What tuning do you recommend?

@texas_swing

6 ай бұрын

You might want to check out the Jerry Byrd diatonic tuning or the Alkire tuning. You can do a google search ro find our more about them. They are very dense tunings.

C6 for me

@ronnie5129

Жыл бұрын

yes, i love c6 because i wanted to sound like the old hank williams recordings

My grand daddy's ruby red Loney lap steel has been hanging on the wall for 25 years...think I'll take her down and plunk on it.

@texas_swing

5 ай бұрын

Have fun!

Any good recommendations on C6 Western swing instructional materials? I feel like I’ve I hit a wall with my progress with C6. I also play an Open E lap steel with palm benders.

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

I know Andy Volk and Cindy Cashdollar have C6 material. If you've made it through those, the Jerry Byrd course is pretty tough.

@justindinger9348

Жыл бұрын

@@texas_swing Thank you! I will check these out.

Just a heads up on making videos. Your electric guitar is much louder than your voice level. Makes viewers turn it down for the guitar, then turn it back up for the voice. Great content though.

What is the best tuning for Country Gospel. I am trying to learn how to play my new lap steel its tuned in open E right now.

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

That should be fine, if you can find instructional material for it. I might switch it to open G, and there are definitely dobro books you could use to learn it. Most Country Gospel is triadic harmony, so you don't necessarily need a 6th tuning, but "I saw the light" etc., sound really nice in C6 tuning, if you want to go that route. So, I guess you can really use any of those options!

I love the C6 tuning! What is the best tuning for Sleepwalk (a la Santo and Johnny)?

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

C6 is what you'd probably want to use. I can't remember, but that might be the tuning he recorded it with. Any 6th tuning should work pretty well.

@bernhardnizynski4403

Жыл бұрын

@@texas_swing - Thank you Brother! I have an inexpensive (new) lap steel that came with flatwoumd strings - I'm assuming they would be suitable for C6 tuning (I am a guitar and 5 string banjo player)?

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

@@bernhardnizynski4403 No problem! Flat wounds should be fine, as long as they are the right gauges. check here:www.hawaiiansteel.com/learning/gauges.php

@ScrewballMcAdams

Жыл бұрын

@@texas_swing What a great resource! Thanks for recommending that site. LOTS of useful info there. Steve

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

@@ScrewballMcAdams glad it helped!

Can anyone demystify which set of strings to purchase for Open D tuning? I do not see a set that is dedicated for that. Which gauges, and which set to accommodate the correct tension? For both 6 string and 8 string SX Lap Steel? I don't want to just burn through all my broken strings just to figure it out. Many thanks!

@texas_swing

8 ай бұрын

These should work: www.steelguitarshopper.com/ghs-strings-hawaiian-lap-steel-e-tuning-6-string-set/

I really need help.I am new to lap steel guitar.I bought a budget rogue.I was able to tune it to open g,but cannot tune it C6.what type of tuner do I need I have a regular tuner but can't get it to tune the c note it goes from b to d while tuning and skips the c .no help on the Internet.Thanks for any help.Jerry

@texas_swing

9 ай бұрын

It sounds like you are using a guitar tuner, or a chromatic tuner in guitar mode. You need to use chromatic mode, and make sure you have a chromatic tuner. You can get a cheap one online. Also, make sure you are using a set of strings designed for C6.

@user-zc9hn2wv5x

9 ай бұрын

@@texas_swing Thanks so much.I will check into buying a chromatic tuner all I have is a regular tuner.Also will shop for c6 strings. I believe you have solved my problem.Thanks again Jerry

@texas_swing

9 ай бұрын

@@user-zc9hn2wv5x No problem, brother!

i'm worried about how high i have to tune the c e and g strings... i was playing in open d and i want to do c6 but it seems that i have to make the lowest strings high enough that they would snap on me

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

I would definitely get a set of strings that is for C6 tuning. You can get them through the steel guitar forum. Happy steelin'!

Hi, I'm starting to play older gospel music! What tuning should I start with?

@texas_swing

4 ай бұрын

You can do just about anything with C6!

I went with the Rogue simply based on price. I have zero musical knowledge or skill. At 60 trying to learn guitar was too much strain on my wrists. Haven't been able to find a local teacher. So my question is what's the best tuning for a Rogue and a beginner?

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

It depends on what kind of music you want to play. I made a video about that, and If you check out my channel, it should come up. Have fun!

Disappointed that Open E was not even mentioned for a 6 string. Interested in blues.

What strings do you recommend for the open D tuning?

@texas_swing

7 ай бұрын

I think they sell open D sets on the steelguitarforum shop. Or piece them together yourself on Juststings.

what string gauge does the last lap steel has on the C6 tuning ? I like that sound the most.

@texas_swing

Ай бұрын

I think that's a 15 on top. You can buy a C6 set.

@tunnis7us

Ай бұрын

@@texas_swing thanks! I didn't even know there is own set of strings for lap steels until now :D

High I'm gonna buy a lap steel (Gretsch G5700) could you tell me the pulling of the strings to play in G tuning ? Regards

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

Sorry, I think something was lost in translation here. If you are asking about the G tuning, it is high to low: DBGDBG. Let me know if that's not what you needed to know, and I'll be glad to help.

@jojolapraline

Жыл бұрын

@@texas_swing I think the word exact is gauge : example D 011 , B 013, G 020 etc ....Sorry

@texas_swing

Жыл бұрын

@@jojolapraline Ahh, got it. Use this chart: www.hawaiiansteel.com/learning/gauges.php

@jojolapraline

Жыл бұрын

@@texas_swing Thanks 🤙

If my song has D, G, Em and A as chords throughout the song, what's a good 6 string lap steel tuning?

@texas_swing

3 ай бұрын

C6 has minor chords built into the tuning, so I'd go with that.

@oinkooink

3 ай бұрын

@@texas_swingThanks for the reply, appreciate it.

@texas_swing

3 ай бұрын

@@oinkooink no problem!

Hi! I am disabled and Left handed dominate my cousin who is a professional musician himself who has played with the likes of Waylon, Willie, Ray Price and others suggested this for me, but (Dickie my cousin) forgot to tell me all the essential other pieces I will need ex: an amp, a pedal etc Would you be kind enough to help me with this? Thank you, Respectfully yours, Donna French Lane Kingman Az

@texas_swing

2 ай бұрын

Congratulations on getting started! I would highly recommend you check out the videos on my channel that talk about what you need to get started on the lap steel. That should answer a lot of your questions.

P.s...have you a link to 8 strings?

@texas_swing

7 ай бұрын

Stay tuned!

What gauge and strings are you using for the c6

@texas_swing

4 күн бұрын

I'm not sure of each gauge, but I was using a set of SIT C6 lap steel strings. You can get them on the Steel Guitar Forum.

I got two cheap Rogues. Stuck b benders on 'em. I got one tuned to C6, still trying to decide what to do with tge other one. I dislike the bluesy sound of d or open tunings. I want an all country tuning.

@texas_swing

11 ай бұрын

If you want a pedal steel type sound, I would definitely go with open E, with a high G# on top. It depends on what the benders can do, though. You need the G#-A and B-C# changes to get the E9 pedal steel sound.

@sesa2984

11 ай бұрын

@@texas_swing Thanks. I was only able to fit b benders on tgem. So I don't have the G, would that still be a good tuning or is there a better one?

@texas_swing

11 ай бұрын

@@sesa2984 Any tuning that gives you a 3-4 and a 5-6 should work for that sound. If you just have one raise, I guess the 5-6 would be the best.

@sesa2984

11 ай бұрын

@@texas_swing Thank you. I appreciate your time.

@texas_swing

11 ай бұрын

@@sesa2984 No problem!

Don't you need a very special set of strings for C6?

@texas_swing

Ай бұрын

You can't use just a standard guitar set, but you can get a C6 steel guitar set pretty easily, or you can just buy single strings to make a set.

How to capo steel guitars?

Was the dobro tuning GBDGBD or something else? Hard to here the difference between any letter ending "ee". And no one's going to read the notes in the NATO phonetic alphabet -- Golf, Bravo, Delta.

@texas_swing

18 күн бұрын

Yes, that is the main Dobro tuning. If you're having trouble hearing the note names, John Ely's website has the different main tunings spelled out.

@kenkoellner9421

18 күн бұрын

@@texas_swing Thanks for the reply. I hope you took my 'NATO phonetic as the humorous quip it's supposed to be'. I just started playing square-neck and am thinking about getting an electric lap for winter when traveling as I could leave it in my car. It would help to use the same tuning, although I like the sound of that C6.

@texas_swing

18 күн бұрын

@@kenkoellner9421 Haha, awesome! Yeah, it's great to have a little lap steel to bang around on trips with. I have one. G major is a great tuning, but C6 has a lot of versatility.

Why not use regular guitar tunning, so you Don't have to relearn everything

@texas_swing

6 ай бұрын

You definitely could. It would be fine if you're just doing single-note licks, but the other tunings make chordal stuff a lot easier.

@Ivory.shadesofwhitesplattered

Ай бұрын

Your question makes me think either you’re not a slide player, or are secretly Ry Cooder. If you have mad skills, you don’t need open tunings for slide or lap single note licks - but like Texas said, if you’re chording at all, open tunings make sense.

Very knowledgable but WAYYY too much theory for a newbie