FACFAC Tuning

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Weissenborn Players

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This group is dedicated to the Weissenborn players around the world.

179 Members, Created 2/15/2011 -

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From CaseyHunter on 6/23/2016 4:09:27 PM

Hello Weissenborn enthusiasts!

I am wondering how many of you have dabbled with FACFAC (Open F) aka: Dobro G tuning dropped a full step?

I have been playing with it quite a bit recently, and have enjoyed how my weissenborn sounds/behaves in this tuning. Not only that, but it has been a great way to work on dobro tunes without transposing them to Open D.

I am working on some recordings, that will try to get up. I don't seem to find many people using it, and thought it may be interesting to hear it.

Sonically for me, it has a more balanced voice across the low to high strings. It gives up a bit of the bass, but I am really not missing the low octave D. The low F is a lot more lively than the low D from a Open D tuning.

Tension wise, from what I can tell the FACFAC tuning may actually have less overall tension on the instrument than open D. However there is more focused tension on the lower end with this tuning , something I am watching closely.

Here is a string guage/tension based upon a JP 3160 Weissenborn Strings.

String	Tuning	Gauge	Tension
1	C	0.0150 in.	20.80 lbs
2	A	0.0180 in.	21.84 lbs
3	F	0.0270 in.	27.83 lbs
4	C	0.0380 in.	26.80 lbs
5	A	0.0480 in.	29.44 lbs
6	F	0.0600 in.	29.79 lbs
		Total	156.55 lbs

String	Tuning	Gauge	Tension
1	D	0.0150 in.	26.20 lbs
2	A	0.0180 in.	21.84 lbs
3	F#	0.0270 in.	32.24 lbs
4	D	0.0380 in.	33.77 lbs
5	A	0.0480 in.	29.44 lbs
6	D	0.0600 in.	21.06 lbs
		Total	164.55 lbs

8 Comments
	mstuartev says: 6/23/2016 9:30:12 PM I may just give this a try. Believe I have that same set on my baritone, tuned to open C. The C up to F (.strings) is quite a jump. Def less flop on the low end. Think I'll give it a shot and offer my sonic opinion later - as long as the strings don't thwap.
	mstuartev says: 6/24/2016 8:16:12 AM I may just give this a try. Believe I have that same set on my baritone, tuned to open C. The C up to F (.strings) is quite a jump. Def less flop on the low end. Think I'll give it a shot and offer my sonic opinion later - as long as the strings don't thwap.
	mstuartev says: 6/24/2016 8:16:27 AM I may just give this a try. Believe I have that same set on my baritone, tuned to open C. The C up to F (.strings) is quite a jump. Def less flop on the low end. Think I'll give it a shot and offer my sonic opinion later - as long as the strings don't thwap.
	mstuartev says: 6/24/2016 10:32:46 PM System must be weird. Dupe posts I tried the tuning above and like it. Lacks bottom end but makes for it with a harmonic balance. Exc for quick run lead work.
	mstuartev says: 6/25/2016 7:37:27 AM System must be weird. Dupe posts I tried the tuning above and like it. Lacks bottom end but makes for it with a harmonic balance. Exc for quick run lead work.
	mstuartev says: 6/26/2016 8:11:03 AM Continuing exploration: Modified tuning to FFCFAC Gives a tad more bottom kick without robbing tone from where most of my playing happens - treble strings. Dobro like fer sure.
	mstuartev says: 6/26/2016 9:41:41 AM Continuing exploration: Modified tuning to FFCFAC Gives a tad more bottom kick without robbing tone from where most of my playing happens - treble strings. Dobro like fer sure.
	hollowneck says: 7/7/2016 12:48:40 PM This is a tuning I have used for about 10 years - strictly for my Weissenborns. I also play in three alternate tunings related to the open F (F6, F9, and Fm). I use heavier JP strings (3110's) and when I perform solo, I tune to A=432 and sometimes to A=415 (depending on the weather and specific environment.) This lower tuning is especially nice on my primary guitar, an all-koa, older Bear Creek. If you play with other string players you can easily tune-up lower- but if there is a keyboard, harmonica - or horns/reeds in your ensemble mix, it won't work.
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