Al Brisco’s

E9th ‘Ear’ Tuning Method

NOTE: When using a Jeff Newman (or most other) Pedal Steel Tuning Charts, it is recommended that you use a Chromatic Tuner with a needle meter that has the Hz &/or Cents scales.

We recommend such brands as the Seiko SAT-500 or Boss TU-12H….or;

-the Ultimate!!!…The Peterson Strobo-Flip or V-SAM Strobe Tuners, which have the E9th & C6th Compensated Settings built-in!

DON’T WASTE YOUR MONEY BUYING A MODEL THAT WON’T SUIT YOUR NEEDS!

Al Brisco’s Ear Tuning Method

Using a tuning reference such as a chromatic tuner, tuning fork, etc…get your E9th Pedal Steel strings stretched & in approximate tune.

1) Method A: -Using an ‘A-440’ note Tuning Fork:

After getting the guitar strings closely tuned, I use an A-440 Tuning Fork & after tapping it on a solid object to activate the fork, I hold it over the pickup (with the amp on & volume pedal engaged). Then using the tuning key of the 3^rd string with the A & B foot pedals engaged, match up the identical ‘A’ note with the ringing note from the Tuning Fork. Turn the tuning key (with both notes ringing) until you eliminate all the beats & the notes are identical.

Method B: -Using a Chromatic Tuner:

Utilize the chromatic tuner to achieve your “A” note, & proceed similarly to Method A.

NOTE: The closer you bring the notes together, the slower the beats become until they disappear….this is when the note is in tune.

2) While keeping the A&B pedals engaged, tune the 4^th string ‘E’ to the 3^rd string ‘A’, until the beats disappear, then tune the 8^th string to the 4^th.

3) Release the A & B pedals….then tune all the main ‘E triad ‘ strings, 3, 5, 8 & 10 to the ‘E’s (4^th & 8^th).

Re-tune the 3^rd string G# (open) to the 4^th string ‘E’. Re-check all the ‘E triad’ strings in chord groups, taking out all the beats.

4) Tune the 1^st & 2^nd strings (F# & Eb) to the 5^th string ‘B’ open. Picking strings 1,2 & 5 together gives you an open ‘B’ Major chord.

5) Pressing the A & B pedals, tune up strings 3, 5, 6 & 10 to the 4^th & 8^th strings using the nylon tuners on the end plate.

6) Keeping the A&B pedals engaged, tune up string 9 to the 6^th string ‘A’ note, & the 7^th string F# to the 5^th string ‘C#’. Picking strings 6, 7, & 9 together gives you a D Major chord.

7) Engaging the B & C pedals, tune up string 4 raised to F# to the 7^th string F#; & tune up the 5^th string to the 3^rd string ‘A’ raised. Pick strings 4, 5 & 6 together to give a F# Minor chord, until all the beats are removed.

Knee Lever Lowering the 4^th & 8^th Strings:

8) Engaging the knee lever which lowers the 4^th & 8^th strings E’s to Eb’s, match the 4^th string with the 2^nd string, (unison), then tune the 8^th string with the 4^th string (octaves).

Knee Lever Raising the 4^th & 8^th Strings:

9) Engaging the A foot pedal & the knee lever raising the 4^th & 8^th strings, E’s to F’s, eliminate the beats & then double check by picking strings 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 & 10 making a C# Major chord.

Knee Lever Lowering the 2^nd (& 9^th) Strings:

10) With the A & B foot pedals engaged:

-Tuning the Full Tone Lower….tune the 2^nd string with knee lever fully engaged to the 5^th string raised;

- “ “ “ “ “ ….tune the 9^th string with knee lever fully engaged to the 10^th string raised

With the B foot pedal engaged:

-Tune the Half-Tone Lower…..tune the 2^nd string ‘D’ note to the 6^th string ‘A’ note.

NOTE: If your guitar has a half-tone lower tuning adjustment, use it to tune this half-tone note.

Also, if your guitar’s rod puller on the 9^th string has enough adjustment holes, one should try to have the half-tone note engage at the point where the 9^th string starts pulling its return spring.

If your guitar has a half-tone tuner, try to have it & the 9^th string spring engage at precisely the same time, as this will give you a more definite solid feel for your half-stop.

Experiment by placing the pull rod for the 9^th string in different holes (slots) of the pull bar, until you get it close.

Knee Lever Raising the 1^st & 7^th Strings

11a) -Tuning 1^st & 7^th a Full Tone Raise:

-Engage the knee lever raising the 1^st string until it matches the 3^rd string open, & do the same with the 7^th string until it matches the 6^th string.

11b) -Tuning 1^st & 7^th a Half-Tone Raise:

With the A & B foot pedals engaged, & picking strings 6, 5, & 4 for the ‘A’ chord, then pick string 1 & engage the knee lever which raises the 1^st & 7^th strings & use your discretion for tuning the 1^st string to a dominate 7^th. (Your standard A7th chord)

Match up the 7^th string (an octave lower, of course) to the first string.

This is the way I’ve been tuning for many years, & seems to work for me.

Keep Steelin'

Al Brisco

Steel Guitars of Canada