E tuning for 8 string PEDAL STEEL

by Jerry Massey
(U.S.A.)

Just purchased a 1960 Model 400 Fender 8 string 4 pedal steel guitar I love it my father used to play one just like it wondering how to tune all 8 strings to E tuning. Thank You.

JOSH's REPLY:

Hi Jerry, congrats on the Fender 400 pedal steel!

As for tuning it to E, you've got a number of variations to choose from, including the option of making up your own--as usual for this wonderful instrument.

Since my primary realm of expertise is with the non-pedal steel, the 8-string E tuning that I am most familiar with and enjoy immensely is the E13, which is laid out thusly from High to Low:

G# .012
E .015
C# .018
B .020p
G# .026w
E .032
D .036
B .042

Note that this tuning is easily accessible from the C6 high tuning that I favor the most.

For more info on 8-string PEDAL STEEL tunings in E, I'll refer you to a helpful article on Sacred Steel tunings written by Bobby Lee:

http://www.b0b.com/tunings/sacredsteel.html

Best of luck,

Josh