Latest D13th Universal Copedent

Instruments, mechanical issues, copedents, techniques, etc.

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Joe A. Roberts
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Latest D13th Universal Copedent

Post by Joe A. Roberts »

I don't play the tuning myself, but I made up this chart for myself for reference and I realized it might be interesting/informative for other folks as well.

All the info (string gauges, bottom instructions, etc.) are what has been stated by Mr. Cox except for the equivalencies that I inserted for the sake of comparison.

Johnny Cox's latest D13th copedent:
Image

Some observations:

LKL2 is Johnny's clever combination of Curly Chalker's two vertical levers.
It also serves as the C6th Bb lever by using the split with RKR which returns the 3rd string to normal.

RKR on the bottom end gives the same notes as the C6th tuning (i.e. the Fmaj7th) and the 3rd string whole tone lower is from Maurice Anderson's Bb6th, and Curly Chalker had a similar change.

LKV is the E9th first and second unison raise, and has the equivalent of the 6th string G# to F# lower, instead of the more popular 7th string F# to G#.
With P4, it forms the top portion of the Franklin pedal but split, with the low string lower achievable with RKR.
Last edited by Joe A. Roberts on 30 Nov 2024 5:48 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Chris Willingham
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Post by Chris Willingham »

Very nice! Thanks for putting that together, Joe.

I've been playing D13 for five weeks on a gorgeous new MSA that Johnny built and I'm playing that same copedent, but Emmons. I got relatively comfy on it faster than I'd expected. Played two shows a week after getting it (there were some nerves and mild panic :lol: ) It's truly a genius tuning and capable of so much. Loving the extended range when it's just me and an acoustic player. If you've got the D13 itch, pull the trigger.

Sunlight on it here, making it look a little purple, it's a blue burst. It plays and sounds incredible.
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Fiddle, banjo and steel for Tennessee Jet

2021 MSA Legend XL S10 5X6 brown burst
Beard Josh Swift Sig, the purple one
Lap King Rodeo
Milkman 1/2&1/2 and a bunch of fiddles
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Joe A. Roberts
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Post by Joe A. Roberts »

WOW Chris, happy Thanksgiving and thank you for sharing that picture of your MSA. :whoa: What a beauty, enjoy it in good health!
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Joe A. Roberts
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Post by Joe A. Roberts »

I updated the chart to hopefully be a little easier to read, and I also tried to better articulate the instructions for those with more limited guitars at the bottom.
There's a lot of old charts floating around so I wanted to post the latest one, in a way to help show that the tuning is made out of familiar changes, it is not black magic!
I also wrote to Johnny and will update it if needed.
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Tim Toberer
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Post by Tim Toberer »

I have been doing a little deep dive into E13 (D13) and here is a great thread from a couple years ago. Johnny posts his copedant at the time, not sure if it has changed.
viewtopic.php?t=371452&postdays=0&posto ... s&start=25

I don't plan on using this tuning, but it is really fascinating to see how these things develop. It is also giving me some ideas for a a very stripped down 8 string "Universal" I am trying to put together for one of my experimental guitars.
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