10 String Pedal Steel Guitar

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Tuning 10 String Pedal Steel Guitar, 8 String Pedal Steel Guitar & 12 String Pedal Steel Guitar
The pedal steel guitar is usually tuned to either E9 or C6 - or both in the case of a double neck, but there are other tunings. The most common pedal steel guitars have 10 strings, followed by Universal 12 string instruments which purport to offer the same versatility as a double 10 string instrument, 8 stringed instruments were very popular in the 1950s and 1960s, they are less popular nowadays.

Central to the pedal steel guitar is its ability to change tunings mid song with the help of foot pedals and knee levers which change the tension on the open strings thereby altering the tuning. Setting up and tuning a pedal steel can be a daunting task without a special tuner designed for pedal steel guitar tuning. Many seasoned professional steel players “tweak” their tuning to improve their sound; we call this “Sweetened Tuning”.

Because the steel guitar is a fretless instrument, it does not need to conform to the same compromises as regular fretted guitar is subjected to. The flaws of Equal temperament reveal themselves primarilly when major or minor thirds are played, and the long sustained tones produced by the pedal steel guitar show up these flaws more than pretty much any other instrument, many players aim and strive to eliminate these flaws by tuning their steels using special cent offsets for each string. Some players tune “straight up” meaning that the major thirds are sharp and the minor thirds are flat, but most prefer not to forego the sweetness of these intervals and tune them so that they are totally beat-less and consonant.

No matter what method you use, an accurate tuner is a necessity. Peterson Tuners have been used for many decades to tune the open strings, pedals and levers on pedal steel guitars, they are programmable and already feature several preset tuning settings for steel guitars using accepted systems like those originally devised by Jeff Newman and Emmons for E9, C6 and Universal tuning. There is no need to note any settings or use any charts.

Begin with E9 tuning. The first string, if you’re right-handed, is located furthest away from you when sitting behind the steel in the normal playing position, plug your tuner into the steel and select the S-E9 preset.

  1. Pluck to sound the 1st string and observe the tuner display, check that the note “F#” is displayed. With your left hand, adjust the tuning peg to stop the strobe pattern image from moving continuously in any one direction, continue to adjust until the strobe pattern is motionless.
  2. Repeat the above for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th , 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th & 10th strings until all strings are tuned.
  3. Use a hex wrench to tune the pedal and lever adjustment hex nuts at the other end of the guitar (changer end). Pedals A,B & C (or 1, 2 & 3) should be tuned as follows.
  4. Engage the Left knee lever to the left and tune strings 4 & 8 to F, engage the lever to the right and tune the same strings to D#. Engage Right knee lever to the left and tune strings 1 & 7 to G, engage the lever to the right and tune strings 2 & 9 to C# & D.
  5. Press pedal #1 and tune strings 5 & 10 to C#, press pedal #2 and tune strings 3 & 6 to A, press pedal 3 and tune strings 4 & 5 to F# & C#.
= Standard Tuning
G4
= G in the 4th octave

10 String Pedal Steel Guitar

I Play This

8 String Pedal Steel Guitar

I Play This

12 String Pedal Steel Guitar

I Play This

B2 D3 E3 F#3 G#3 B3 E4 G#4 D#4 F#4

E9 Tuning

F#2 G#2 B2 D#3 F#3 G#3 B3 D#4

B6 Tuning

B0 E1 G#1 B1 E2 F#2 G#2 B2 E3 G#3 D#4 F#4

Universal E9/B6

C2 F2 A2 C3 E3 G3 A3 C4 E4 D4

C6 Tuning

E2 B2 E3 E3 G#3 B3 D4 E4

E7 Tuning

10 String Pedal Steel Guitar

I Play This

B2 D3 E3 F#3 G#3 B3 E4 G#4 D#4 F#4

E9 Tuning

C2 F2 A2 C3 E3 G3 A3 C4 E4 D4

C6 Tuning

8 String Pedal Steel Guitar

I Play This

F#2 G#2 B2 D#3 F#3 G#3 B3 D#4

B6 Tuning

E2 B2 E3 E3 G#3 B3 D4 E4

E7 Tuning

12 String Pedal Steel Guitar

I Play This

B0 E1 G#1 B1 E2 F#2 G#2 B2 E3 G#3 D#4 F#4

Universal E9/B6

Unlike other tuners which offer no alternative to generic Equal Temperament, Peterson Tuners contain many choices of “Sweetness“, in other words, several degrees of harmony or consonance in a tuning preset. The Sweetener feature is exclusive to Peterson Tuners and there is one for almost any musical instrument.
In the case of the Pedal Steel Guitar Sweeteners (the presets are called SE9, SC6, 0E9, EM9, EM6 & U12), these additional “tweaks” allow the instrument to sound harmonious and consonant as only an expertly tuned instrument can. Some call it “voicing” or optimizing the quality of tone produced by the instrument. Using a Sweetener is simple – your Peterson tuner does the work for you.

SPK
Sneaky Pete Kleinow's B6 Pedal Steel Tuning - Eight String Pedal Steel Guitar
SPK
Sneaky Pete Kleinow's B6 Pedal Steel Tuning - Eight String Pedal Steel Guitar
U12
Peterson Pedal Steel Guitar Sweetened Tuning for 12 string universal pedal steel guitar in E9/B6 tuning.
P12
Peterson Sweetened Tuning for 12 string universal pedal steel guitar in E9/B6 tuning.
O12
Re-imagined Universal 12 String Pedal Steel Guitar Sweetened Tuning
X12
Re-imagined Universal 12 String Pedal Steel Guitar Sweetened Tuning .
PE9
Peterson SE9 & SP9 Sweetener Combo - Jeff Newman's E9 settings complete
SE9
Peterson Pedal Steel Guitar Sweetened Tuning for 10 string pedal steel in E9 tuning.
SP9
Peterson Pedal Steel Guitar Sweetened Tuning for lever and pedal settings in E9 tuning.
SC6
Peterson Pedal Steel Guitar Sweetened Tuning for 10 string pedal steel in C6 tuning.
SP6
Peterson Pedal Steel Guitar Sweetened Tuning for 10 string pedal steel in C6 tuning.
OE9
Peterson E9 Pedal Steel Guitar Sweetened Tuning for the Open Strings
OP9
Peterson E9 Pedal Steel Guitar Sweetened Tuning for the Pedals & Levers
EM9
Peterson Emmons Style E9 Sweetener for pedal steel guitar.
EP9
Peterson Emmons Style E9 Sweetener for pedal steel guitar.
EM6
Peterson Emmons Style C6 Sweetener for pedal steel guitar.
EP6
Peterson Emmons Style C6 Sweetener for pedal steel guitar.
 Featuring the largest tuning display Peterson Tuners has ever incorporated into one of their pedal tuners, the StroboStomp HD boasts a high-definition, LCD screen that incorporates a variable color LED backlight. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

StroboStomp LE

$169.00

Featuring the largest tuning display Peterson Tuners has ever incorporated into one of their pedal tuners, the StroboStomp HD boasts a high-definition, LCD screen that incorporates a variable color LED backlight. The user-selectable colors can be used to personalize the tuner or to increase display viewing quality in different levels of ambient lighting depending on the usage environment. The vibrant screen colors can also be assigned to stock or user presets to significantly reduce menu navigation time and increase on-stage tuning confidence at the gig. For tone purists, the StroboStomp HD provides a 100% silent, true-bypass operation mode to keep precious tone safe, as well as, eliminate the often annoying “pop” experienced when engaging such a feature in other products. It uses a unique series of timed relays incorporated within its circuitry to shunt the signal, draining the cause of the popping sound prior to breaking the connection, and effectively shutting the tuner down for direct play through without affecting tone quality. The StroboStomp HD also includes a long-time, user-requested buffered output operation mode that can be user engaged. The buffered mode can be used in or out of monitor mode. It is designed to boost instrument drive to overcome potential tone loss in signal chains that incorporate multiple low-impedance guitar pedals or those that utilize long cable runs. The buffered output modes preserve sonic quality all through the instrument range and keep prized core tone intact. The StroboStomp HD features over 100 exclusive Sweetened Tunings™, as well as, numbered guided tuning presets for a large variety of instruments and playing styles. Sweetened Tunings are exclusive to Peterson tuning products and are designed to help correct inherent tuning issues exhibited by many instruments. The new "Guided Tunings" mode allows the StroboStomp HD to display numeric string values instead of traditional note names making for sure-fire intuitive and rapid re-tuning to any number of open and alternative tunings. The Guided Tuning mode was instituted for beginners who want to experiment with popular alternate tunings, as well as, experienced players who employ multiple tunings in rapid succession. Numerically expressed scales are also included.
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 The StroboPLUS HDC encompasses decades of tuning authority and technology to deliver the ultimate strobe tuner/metronome combo!

The StroboPLUS HDC’s 0. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

StroboPLUS HDC

$179.99

The StroboPLUS HDC encompasses decades of tuning authority and technology to deliver the ultimate strobe tuner/metronome combo! The StroboPLUS HDC’s 0.1 cent tuning accuracy will tune any instrument with the utmost precision. Featuring a high-definition, multi-color display with variable color LED backlight, the StroboPLUS HDC display can be seen easily across the stage, bench, studio or classroom. Over 200 exclusive Sweetened Tunings® and Guided Tunings on-board accommodate a variety of instruments, temperaments, and musical genres. The highly configurable metronome features precise 0.1 BPM adjustability in eighth notes, quarter notes, dotted quarter notes or half notes, a tempo range of 10-280 BPM, over 100 subdivisions, accent patterns, and polyrhythms. The StroboPLUS HDC can also be used to play thousands of bars of tempo maps, programmable from the Peterson Connect Web App. A single tempo map can play an entire score of meter changes, accent patterns, subdivisions, bar colors, silent bars and gradually curved tempo changes like accelerandos and ritardandos. The StroboPLUS HDC is the perfect tuning, ear training and rhythm tool all in one package!
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 Featuring the largest tuning display Peterson Tuners has ever incorporated into one of their pedal tuners, the StroboStomp HD boasts a high-definition, LCD screen that incorporates a variable color LED backlight. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

StroboStomp HD

$149.00

Featuring the largest tuning display Peterson Tuners has ever incorporated into one of their pedal tuners, the StroboStomp HD boasts a high-definition, LCD screen that incorporates a variable color LED backlight. The user-selectable colors can be used to personalize the tuner or to increase display viewing quality in different levels of ambient lighting depending on the usage environment. The vibrant screen colors can also be assigned to stock or user presets to significantly reduce menu navigation time and increase on-stage tuning confidence at the gig. For tone purists, the StroboStomp HD provides a 100% silent, true-bypass operation mode to keep precious tone safe, as well as, eliminate the often annoying “pop” experienced when engaging such a feature in other products. It uses a unique series of timed relays incorporated within its circuitry to shunt the signal, draining the cause of the popping sound prior to breaking the connection, and effectively shutting the tuner down for direct play through without affecting tone quality. The StroboStomp HD also includes a long-time, user-requested buffered output operation mode that can be user engaged. The buffered mode can be used in or out of monitor mode. It is designed to boost instrument drive to overcome potential tone loss in signal chains that incorporate multiple low-impedance guitar pedals or those that utilize long cable runs. The buffered output modes preserve sonic quality all through the instrument range and keep prized core tone intact. The StroboStomp HD features over 100 exclusive Sweetened Tunings™, as well as, numbered guided tuning presets for a large variety of instruments and playing styles. Sweetened Tunings are exclusive to Peterson tuning products and are designed to help correct inherent tuning issues exhibited by many instruments. The new "Guided Tunings" mode allows the StroboStomp HD to display numeric string values instead of traditional note names making for sure-fire intuitive and rapid re-tuning to any number of open and alternative tunings. The Guided Tuning mode was instituted for beginners who want to experiment with popular alternate tunings, as well as, experienced players who employ multiple tunings in rapid succession. Numerically expressed scales are also included.
MORE

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0

 The Peterson StroboPlus HD (SP-1) is THE premier desktop digital tuner on the market!  Equally as comfortable on a tech’s workbench as it is in a player’s guitar case, this tuner, with all of its features, is no exception to Peterson’s reputation for being THE most accurate in the industry — don’t let its demure palm size fool you! Players of both acoustic and electric instruments can rest assured— a built-in electret condenser microphone and ¼” input jack provide excellent connectivity. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

StroboPLUS HD

$149.99

The Peterson StroboPlus HD (SP-1) is THE premier desktop digital tuner on the market! Equally as comfortable on a tech’s workbench as it is in a player’s guitar case, this tuner, with all of its features, is no exception to Peterson’s reputation for being THE most accurate in the industry — don’t let its demure palm size fool you! Players of both acoustic and electric instruments can rest assured— a built-in electret condenser microphone and ¼” input jack provide excellent connectivity. Gone are the days of having to carry extra batteries and tripping over power cables during a performance! This tuner is rechargeable via computer bus or outlet power, and its large, circular screen is easily viewed in both the darkest and brightest environmental conditions. Features such as Auto Off, easy menu navigation, tripod mounting capability, over 90 of our Sweetened Tunings, tone generation ability via built in speaker, and a headphone output jack round out the package. Finally, future-proof updating and parameter editing is made possible by the tuner’s unobtrusive side-mounted USB jack. And for those feeling exceptionally adventurous, this tuner can be upgraded to also feature our super flexible Body Beat metronome option, along with both audible AND tactile mode operation. Hear the beat or feel it…the power is in your hands. This tuner is fit for the most discerning of players and technicians for sure!
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 iStroboSoft™ offers the unmatched accuracy of a mechanical strobe tuner for the highest degree of precision available in a software tuning application. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

iStroboSoft (iOS)

$9.99

iStroboSoft™ offers the unmatched accuracy of a mechanical strobe tuner for the highest degree of precision available in a software tuning application. Plug in your electrics or use the built-in mic for acoustic instruments to quickly and easily tune with 1/10th cent accuracy.
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 The Peterson StroboSoft2 Tuning Suite gives you the power to route your audio through your DAW on an insert point or to strap it across your buss and tune with unrivaled accuracy. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

StroboSoft 2.0

$49.99 - $99.99

The Peterson StroboSoft2 Tuning Suite gives you the power to route your audio through your DAW on an insert point or to strap it across your buss and tune with unrivaled accuracy. Getting your instrument into your computer is as simple as plugging in up to two sound cards at once (stereo input), and selecting a sampling rate up to 96kHz. If the output level of your instrument still isn’t high enough, we have you covered. You can boost signals up to 24dB and achieve an ideal tuning lock. Sharp and flat tuning indicators make “at a glance” tuning a breeze. Gone are the days of needing to use an external compressor to tap-tune backboards, braces, and tone bars. Our “Average” function does away with any measured outliers. The “Standard” downloadable version of this software offers basic chromatic tuning, Cent/Hertz/MIDI note number output, noise filtering, and selectable concert A reference. Our “Deluxe” version offers 38 Sweetened Tunings, themed skins to personalize the tuner to fit the best look for your style, the ability to import/export Sweeteners and temperament to share with friends, and oscilloscope/spectrum analyzer utilities!
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1. Make sure to keep strings in good condition, wipe them down with a cloth after playing and replace them with new strings when they become old or worn. If you break a string while playing or tuning, it often means the strings are at the end of their useful life. Old strings will never hold a tuning. Replace all strings at the same time.

2. Tune UP - not down – when tuning to the pitch of a note.

3. Use the correct hex wrench to tune the raises and lowers.

4. Check screws and bolts on changer, tuners, bellcranks and undercarriage for tightness regularly.

Pedal steel guitars made by Paul Bigsby, Fender, Gibson, Rickenbacker, Emmons, MSA & Sho-Bud and players such as Alvino Rey, Joaquin Murphey, Buddy Charleton, Speedy West, Jimmy Day, “Sneaky” Pete Kleinow, Curly Chalker, Buddy Emmons, John Hughey, B.J. Cole, Lloyd Green, Paul Franklin and Robert Randolph are some of the most iconic.

The pedabro, console steel, lap steel, resonator/dobro guitar and even the pedal harp are relatives of the pedal steel guitar.

Harp
6-String Electric Guitar
Pedal Steel Guitar
Upright Bass
Electric Bass Guitar
Banjo
Violin
6-String Acoustic Guitar
Buzz Feiten
Ukulele
Mandolin
Viola
Dobro® & Resonator Guitar
Lap Steel Guitar
Bagpipes
Cello
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