String Gauges for D Tuning on Dobro??

[Richard Sinkler]

What string gauges are used on a Dobro for a D tuning, high to low?:

A
F#
D
A
F#
D

OR:

What is the proper tuning for a D tuned Dobro with string gauges? The one above is the same as a G tuning just moved up to D. It seems it would be too high in pitch.

[James Inkster]

I would use:
D
A
F#
D
A
D

I use this on acoustic guitars with either medium or heavy gauge strings (where I'd normally just use medium on that guitar). The heavier gauge won't be a problem, since you're tuned down...

[Kevin Mincke]

Yes, I'd use the tuning James has posted high to low. The (G) standard open tuning string gauges can be used since you're lowering the strings.
String gauges as follows:

OPEN G OPEN D

1st D .016 (D)
2nd B .018 (A)
3rd G .028 (F#) "flattened if needed"
4th D .036 (D)
5th B .046 (A)
6th G .056 (D)

[James Inkster]

Also...
To get your head around the tuning more quickly (assuming you're familiar with dobro 'G'), look at the intervals -- things are just shifted 'down'.

So, licks you may have played on strings 1 and 2 in 'G' are now on strings 2 and 3 in 'D'...

It's definitely a different tuning than G, but I prefer it -- for the most part I can do whatever I would have done in G, plus I can have that high D first string drone... and I like the string 1/string 3 forward slant...

anyway.

[Richard Sinkler]

Thanks guys.

The tuning James posted makes more sense.

Kevin,

I have a question on the 6th string as far as the gauge. Wouldn't lowering the G down to a D make the .056 too loose and sloppy sounding? I guess I could try it on my Tut and see.

Does anybody just use one reso tuned to G and retune for D when needed or do you use 2 different reso's for each tuning?

[Ryan Barwin]

I tune to DADF#AD most of the time, and use a regular set of dobro strings, intended for standard GBDGBD tuning. It works just fine, and I can tune up to G when I need to. It's not necessary to have two guitars, since the string gauges work for both tunings.

[Andy Volk]

Exactly. I've been using Bill Asher's acoustic set and it works fine for D tuning on either Dobro or Weissenborn. From D you can easily tune to DADGAD, Dmaj7, G and few other useful tunings.

[Philip Tamarkin]

The low D will be a little sloppy, but still works OK, or try an .058 or .060 to tighten it up.

[Tom Gray]

I make my own D sets from juststrings.com and use a .048 on the fifth and a .060 on the sixth. It's great on a resonator or electric but -- warning, danger -- can pull up the bridge on a Weissenborn.

[Philip Tamarkin]

Be very careful on an older Weissie - I use a standard 16-56 Dobro set and tune it to open C to reduce tension. Bill Hardin (Bear Creek Guitars)says an .058 or .060 is fine on his instruments.

[Pete Grant]

.068 .048 .038 .032 .026p .018

Right now I'm using nickel wound and a .070 on the bottom.

I like the fact that the bar doesn't make the string 'give' and go sharp.

[Richard Sinkler]

Thanks everyone. I was about to buy a second reso, but this should work out good.

Does anyone ever just lower the 6th string G to F# when re-tuning to D?

[James Inkster]

There'd be no harm in trying that... I like having the root on the bottom there, but whatever floats your boat

You're not going to get much response from dobro players -- dobro players traditionally stick to the G tuning and capo (or adjust) as needed...

I play a lot in open D, occasionally in G... but I'm not playing traditional bluegrass dobro...

[Tom Gray]

Or you can adjust your G tuning to your D: keep the low D and lower the fifth string from A to G. The low-bass G tuning has a rich tradition.

[Richard Sinkler]

2024 Update:

Since I now have 2 resonators, I want to put the D tuning on one (Regal RD-40) and G on the other (Recording King Professional [new to me this year]).

I tried tuning the G tuning down to D and despise the sound of the sloppy 6th string. I found a set of John Pearse strings on JustStrings.com that has a heavier bottom. The gauges are: .016 .018 .027w .039w .049w .059w. I am upgrading the cone and installing my Schatten pickup on the Regal next week and will put these strings on.

[Tony Oresteen]

What string gauges are used on a Dobro for a D tuning, high to low?:

A
F#
D
A
F#
D

OR:

What is the proper tuning for a D tuned Dobro with string gauges? The one above is the same as a G tuning just moved up to D. It seems it would be too high in pitch.

Guys, all responses are meaningless without knowing the SCALE of the instrument and the OCTAVE of the note.

State the scale of the instrument! From there the octave can be assumed.

[Richard Sinkler]

What string gauges are used on a Dobro for a D tuning, high to low?:

A
F#
D
A
F#
D

OR:

What is the proper tuning for a D tuned Dobro with string gauges? The one above is the same as a G tuning just moved up to D. It seems it would be too high in pitch.

Guys, all responses are meaningless without knowing the SCALE of the instrument and the OCTAVE of the note.

State the scale of the instrument! From there the octave can be assumed.

I don't think they are meaningless as these guys are probably experienced players. And a handful of posts down from the post you quoted, I corrected the tuning to the standard open D tuning.

The scale is 25".

[Mark Eaton]

Adding to what Richard wrote, the overwhelming majority of modern squareneck resonators have a 25" scale length. There are some historic old Dobro brand guitars where it varies slightly, sometimes with a 24.75" scale length.

Every so often a small shop builder might put out something like a "travel dobro" with a shorter scale and more compact body - but these are quite rare.

In other words, squareneck resos aren't anything like electric lap and non pedal steel guitars where scale lengths can be all over the map. If one puts on a set of what is sold as "dobro strings" on any of these guitars for G and D tunings, except for the very rare exceptions - you're good to go.

Jerry Douglas stated many years ago that the .056w 6th string when tuned down to D from G can be a little "floppy" but it doesn't bother him. It's never bothered me either.

If I had guitar that stayed permanently in Open D then (like Pete Grant) I would put on a beefier 6th string, but since I play in G tuning the vast majority of the time and occasionally tune down to D, the typical dobro set of 16/17-56 works just fine.

[Richard Sinkler]

I too play the G tuning. I'm only trying the open D because I have the second resonator guitar. There's probably a 90% chance it will never see a stage.

[Richard Sinkler]

Well, my Regal RD 40 now has a Beard Legend cone and actually sounds pretty good. It is tuned to open D.

A band I have been working with lately does "Deeper Than the Holler" by Randy Travis. It's got some good dobro parts. They do it in E, and while I can play the intro and turnarounds on my G dobro, it is so much easier and sounds better on the D Dobro, with a capo on the 2nd fret.

[Glenn Wilde]

I regularly use the same Dobro or National, same strings ( Beard 28s) for Low G, D, E and high G tunings. I wouldn't use these strings on my old Oahu's or on a old Kona or Weiss. High A, A6 or C6 would definitely need lighter strings.

[James P Mitchell]

I use the standard D'Addario 16-56 set for both GBDGBD and DADF#AD. Yes the low D is a bit floppy but it's no big deal, you get used to it.

[Steven Pearce]

18 plain
20 plain
28 wound
38
48
60

You gotta buy ‘em single, these don’t come in sets.
The 60’s, Ernie Ball are $3.15 each. No they aren’t cheap.

[Richard Sinkler]

I tuned my G dobro down to D and don't like the floppy 6th string. I did find a set that had a .059 on the 6th and it works good.

[Steven Pearce]