Nice, traditional Dobro tuning. Should work great.
Ben said:
Update: I pressed my luck and tuned it up to GBDGBD...worked great! I didn't mention it before but I've got a set of the GHS Acoustic Slide Guitar strings on it. They are gauged: .016, .018, .028w, .036w, .046w, .056w. They're chunky but they are also semi-ground down so you get less noise (not as quiet as flat-wound though).
That toally depends on what tuning you want to use. C6 tuning has a low string of only .38 typically
Blues tunings like open E or D typically have 15-16 high, to 58 to 70 low string. MUch chunkier strings. Make sure what tunings you want to play in because a nut cut for a 60 string won;t perform too well if you switch to say C6 where the low string will rattle around in the slot. Heavier the better for lap steel in open E or D. You want some resistance to the bar, in order to dig in a little and not sharp the strings too much.
In my humble opinion, your choice of string gauge is going to depend on a variety of factors. I collect and play several traditional lap steels, and if you are building one like these, basically planks of thick, solid wood, you can use as heavy a gauge as you like. if you tune to open e or d, I agree with the posters, that bigger is better. it's pretty easy to find D'addario medium or heavy Jazz strings and substitute heavier high strings, and you can sub plain third strings too. For playing in C6 tuning i recommend using a lighter gauge string set made specifically for this type of tuning. I have several tuned in both C6 and open D and E, and tonally I like the heavy strings for the open tunings and the lighter strings for the C6.
Update: I pressed my luck and tuned it up to GBDGBD...worked great! I didn't mention it before but I've got a set of the GHS Acoustic Slide Guitar strings on it. They are gauged: .016, .018, .028w, .036w, .046w, .056w. They're chunky but they are also semi-ground down so you get less noise (not as quiet as flat-wound though).
I would agree with heavy...just make sure your git can take it. I pulled mine apart on the first attempt. Now it's pretty much rebuilt and just tonight tuned it up to DADF#AD. I'm scared to push it to GBDGBD.
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I used C6 tuning strings on mine. Love the 'classic country' sound.
Ben said:
Blues tunings like open E or D typically have 15-16 high, to 58 to 70 low string. MUch chunkier strings. Make sure what tunings you want to play in because a nut cut for a 60 string won;t perform too well if you switch to say C6 where the low string will rattle around in the slot. Heavier the better for lap steel in open E or D. You want some resistance to the bar, in order to dig in a little and not sharp the strings too much.