G11 tuning, Dobro

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 16 Dec 2018 4:38 pm

(audio is no longer online)

David Guiterrez · Post by **David Guiterrez** » 16 Dec 2018 5:28 pm

That is great, and a pretty easy change from standard G. Thanks, Doug!

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 16 Dec 2018 5:53 pm

Yes, it's an easy re-tune from G. Just tune strings 1, 2, & 3 down a whole step.
[tab]
D ---> C
B ---> A
G ---> F
D D
B B
G G
[/tab]

David Guiterrez · Post by **David Guiterrez** » 16 Dec 2018 5:55 pm

Got it! I moved the low G up to an A, but the G is better. Do you tune the low string to a B for the six string B11 tuning?

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 16 Dec 2018 6:41 pm

Yes, for 6-string lap steel (B11) I tune string 6 to B. I like having the root on the bottom. For some songs I tune that string to C#.

G11 dobro is a combination tuning. The top 4 strings make F, F6, Dm, Dm7, and the bottom 5 strings are G, G7, G9.

F major = strings 1, 2, 3
F6 (and Dm7) = strings 1, 2, 3, 4
Dm = strings 2, 3 ,4

G major = strings 4, 5, 6
G7 = strings 3, 4, 5, 6
G9 = strings 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 17 Dec 2018 4:10 am

David Hamburger wrote an article on this tuning for Guitar Player many years ago. A friend of his had told him about Jerry Byrd's B11th after studying with JB and David adapted it for Dobro. Hamburger's version used a low A on the bottom. It's cool that it's achievable with a standard set of G-tuning strings.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 17 Dec 2018 7:40 am

I always liked David Hamburger's guitar instruction. I met him about 15 years ago when we were both playing on a show at Smith College. He's a very knowledgeable guy.

Lee Rider · Post by **Lee Rider** » 12 Dec 2024 8:04 pm

Saw this post a while back and been using the G11 tuning with my Hipshot Doubleshot. Nice tuning for dobro.

Thanks for posting.

Lee Rider

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 12 Dec 2024 8:17 pm

Lee, for some reason I deleted my original post here. Evidently the audio or video was no longer online.

I have a more recent G11 dobro thread here ——-> viewtopic.php?t=403291

Tony Dingus · Post by **Tony Dingus** » 12 Dec 2024 9:10 pm

It sounds great Doug. I love it.

Tony

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 12 Dec 2024 9:20 pm

Thanks Tony

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 13 Dec 2024 5:46 am

I've experimented with G,B,D,F#,A,C# .... Dmaj7-over-G or G9#11.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 13 Dec 2024 8:33 am

That must be a sweet sounding tuning, Andy. Dmaj7 on the upper 4 strings , Gmaj7 on the bottom 4, and D6 on the middle 4.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 13 Dec 2024 2:51 pm

This has intonation issues, Doug, and as usual, recorded before I really learned it, but it's the only thing I ever recorded in that tuning.

https://www.facebook.com/andy.volk.18/v ... 3022578349

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 13 Dec 2024 6:43 pm

I can hear a lot of potential in that tuning for jazz and old standards.

Rich Arnold · Post by **Rich Arnold** » 14 Dec 2024 6:26 pm

I used to use that tuning whan I played 6 string dobro. I probably came upon it by accident like everything else I did.

rodger_mcbride · Post by **rodger_mcbride** » 15 Dec 2024 5:22 am

Reece Anderson

https://be.steelguitarforum.com/viewtop ... sc&start=0

From:
Keller Texas USA, R.I.P.
Post Posted 27 Sep 2010 9:03 am Reply with quote
Lee J....I'm always happy to respond to questions. I was of course familiar with, and an admirer of Vance Terry.

IF memory serves correct, these are the tunings I used on my triple 8 Bigsby.

Top neck:

G
E
C
A
F
D
Bb
G