Uploaded November 2010 | Updated September 2026, 6 hours ago
This is a steel guitar classic and easy to play. I'm playing a 1953 Double 8 Rickenbacker. I'm using the A6th tuning, which is exactly identical to the C6th with a high "G" note on top. The high note is where you get that unique Western Swing sound from. On the A6th tuning it's An "E" note instead of a "G" note on the C6th. If you were to lower every string on the C6th with a high G down 3 tones, you'd have the A6th tuning, which from treble to bass is: E - C# - A - F# - E - C# - A - F#
I'm used to playing C6th without the high G note, so A6th is a bit awkward for me since I usually play C6th with E for my highest note. Just like with a high G on C6th, you simple play everything one string lower on the A6th. The A6th is identical to the C6th with a high G, which simplifies things considerably if you study the different tunings. For non-pedal, I used C6th and B11th mostly. I did these A6th videos to bring attention to the fact that A6th is no different than the C6th with a high G, which gives it that distinctive Western Swing sound.
I'm using a VOX battery-powered amp, which uses 6-C batteries and has a 5" speaker. I play the tracks on a Sony water-resistant boombox, so when it rains I put away the guitar and camera first and the radio last. When it rains it pours.
I polish the chrome on my guitars after each time I take them out to the beach. I just stop by the local auto-supply store every-so-often and buy some metal polish for chrome. Most polishes work on several different metals. I've used WENOL, BLUE MAGIC and MOTHERS. I use OLD ENGLISH lemon-oil on the cabinet of any wood on my guitars. Most bigger stores sell it. It doesn't leave an oily residue, but protects the wood finish from drying and cracking. I'm using semi-flat strings on my 1953 Rickenbacker.
I used an arpeggio style of picking on the chorus of Steel Guitar Rag, quite diferent than the standard way it's played. I think it sounds very nice, but there are many options and different things you can play. I have free tabs and this rhythm track and others freely available on my website link below. This track is in the key of A. I made another track in C for C6th and also one in Eb so you can play the song on the 3rd fret of the C6th is that is your preference. These are the highest quality MP3's, so they may take a while to download.
Thanks for watching my videos and reading my comments.
This is a steel guitar classic and easy to play. I'm playing a 1953 Double 8 Rickenbacker. I'm using the A6th tuning, which is exactly identical to the C6th with a high "G" note on top. The high note is where you get that unique Western Swing sound from. On the A6th tuning it's An "E" note instead of a "G" note on the C6th. If you were to lower every string on the C6th with a high G down 3 tones, you'd have the A6th tuning, which from treble to bass is: E - C# - A - F# - E - C# - A - F#
I'm used to playing C6th without the high G note, so A6th is a bit awkward for me since I usually play C6th with E for my highest note. Just like with a high G on C6th, you simple play everything one string lower on the A6th. The A6th is identical to the C6th with a high G, which simplifies things considerably if you study the different tunings. For non-pedal, I used C6th and B11th mostly. I did these A6th videos to bring attention to the fact that A6th is no different than the C6th with a high G, which gives it that distinctive Western Swing sound.
I'm using a VOX battery-powered amp, which uses 6-C batteries and has a 5" speaker. I play the tracks on a Sony water-resistant boombox, so when it rains I put away the guitar and camera first and the radio last. When it rains it pours.
I polish the chrome on my guitars after each time I take them out to the beach. I just stop by the local auto-supply store every-so-often and buy some metal polish for chrome. Most polishes work on several different metals. I've used WENOL, BLUE MAGIC and MOTHERS. I use OLD ENGLISH lemon-oil on the cabinet of any wood on my guitars. Most bigger stores sell it. It doesn't leave an oily residue, but protects the wood finish from drying and cracking. I'm using semi-flat strings on my 1953 Rickenbacker.
I used an arpeggio style of picking on the chorus of Steel Guitar Rag, quite diferent than the standard way it's played. I think it sounds very nice, but there are many options and different things you can play. I have free tabs and this rhythm track and others freely available on my website link below. This track is in the key of A. I made another track in C for C6th and also one in Eb so you can play the song on the 3rd fret of the C6th is that is your preference. These are the highest quality MP3's, so they may take a while to download.
Thanks for watching my videos and reading my comments.
