Baritone Pedal Steel?

[Kendell Scott]

Hey folks, had an interesting thought experiment today and thought I’d put it up here for discussion. Anyone have any examples of someone setting up the back neck on a D10 either down to an A9 tuning (string 10 being a six string guitar’s low E) or even as far down as an octave lower E9 (string 10 being a baritone 6 string’s low B) with the same pulls as standard E9, or at least an A and B pedal and E raises and lowers? I did a search and all I could really find is a thread about a T10 Franklin that Paul supposedly had one neck set up in the lower octave E9. Thinking something like that could be an interesting setup for a small band without a dedicated rhythm guitar player so all the bottom doesn’t fall out when the guitar player takes a lead break, and maybe just for some different voicings.

[Bill McCloskey]

Check out Travis Toys set up on the MSA site. Basically his E9th setup tuned to A9th on the back neck

[Kendell Scott]

Also, I’m aware of Tom Brumley’s 11 string ZBs with the low E and 12 string universals and extended E9 and the like but this would be more of an option for guys who don’t play much or any back neck with certain bands or don’t want to learn new grips and pulls, etc

[Kendell Scott]

Check out Travis Toys set up on the MSA site. Basically his E9th setup tuned to A9th on the back neck

Interesting, I figured someone had to have come up with this idea before but couldn’t find any solid evidence. I’ll have to do some searching and see if I can find some sound clips!

[Paul Strojan]

I use a polyphonic octave to settle in beneath a guitar or mandolin.

[Kendell Scott]

I use a polyphonic octave to settle in beneath a guitar or mandolin.

Paul, I had this thought as well but in my experience pitch shifters either have latency issues or add an unpleasant digital distortion to the tone. What pedal are you using?

[Paul Hutzler]

I set up an E9 an octave lower once. It was a fun experiment. I think the most striking thing is that all of the shimmeriness of the instrument goes away. Which isn't really a selling point. Give it a whirl.

[Andrew Frost]

This thread from a few years ago might be of interest...
Will Van Horn is definitely worth checking out at any rate.

viewtopic.php?p=3051224#p3051224

[Paul Strojan]

I am using an EHX Bass 9 after I saw Paul Franklin use it. To avoid the distortion I have the tone on my guitar turned all the way down to cut the highs. https://youtu.be/bl0rsf0kr0E?si=OhA-eGjR7Q0arL0G

[Kendell Scott]

I set up an E9 an octave lower once. It was a fun experiment. I think the most striking thing is that all of the shimmeriness of the instrument goes away. Which isn't really a selling point. Give it a whirl.

I think in the contexts I can think of for using a tuning like that, losing the shimmer would be a feature instead of a bug. I’m looking for some bottom end to comp rhythm when my Tele pickin’ band mates take off on a lead ride.

[Kendell Scott]

I am using an EHX Bass 9 after I saw Paul Franklin use it. To avoid the distortion I have the tone on my guitar turned all the way down to cut the highs. https://youtu.be/bl0rsf0kr0E?si=OhA-eGjR7Q0arL0G

That reminds me that I’ve got an EHX Pitchfork in a closet somewhere that I used to use to save dragging out an extra six string tuned to Eb for a couple tunes. I’ll dig that back out tomorrow and patch it in and try dropping a 5th or an octave and see if I still have that tone issue. Also thinking if I play with the mix knob, it might work with my Leslie pedal to give me a little more convincing B3 sound.

[scott murray]

I believe Paul used the baritone E9 for a few songs on his Christmas album, not sure of any other examples.
I got to see that guitar in person once, Paul Sr had it up on a table for display at his booth in Knoxville in the late 90s.
what a beast!

248_img014_1.jpg

I believe Tom Brumley started using an 11-string to emulate Don Rich's guitar parts when Don was busy singing harmony. good example here: https://youtu.be/gUGc5hANR3U

Al Perkins got a similar sound on Gram Parsons' Ooh Las Vegas... all the low-string picking is Al's 11-string ZB
https://youtu.be/mAp4JD4tC7k

Zane King has also experimented in lower registers and even has a bass pedal steel
https://youtu.be/SvWr9rBawkw

it’s been reported that Buddy Emmons covered bass for Ray Price on his C6 neck for a handful of shows in the early 60s

[Dave Ristrim]

When I started out on steel, I first got an E9/B6 Universal, but quickly decided to go to a 12 string extended E9. With this tuning I have a low E and G# on the bottom which gives you an octave down from the 8th string E. Most licks that start on the 8th string can now be played starting on the 12th string. Since I played guitar before I took up steel, it made sense to me as I now have the same low E on my steel as a guitar has.
12 string has it's drawbacks, like extra bar noise, but there are techniques to limit that. I feel the better outweighs the bad for me.

[D Schubert]

Would any of you guys classify Sneaky Pete Kleinow's B6 tuning (lower than E9th) as a baritone tuning?