The G# and C# notes should be tuned slightly flat to sound in tune with the other notes of the scale and chord. That gives us an AMajor chord and the third of that scale is C#. Another way to play a major chord on E9 is using the A+B pedals. With no pedals pressed, the open tuning includes an EMajor chord. Since the pedal steel E9 tuning has three different ways to make a major chord, there are three different thirds. This refers to the third degree or note of a scale. A good musician trains the ear as well as the hands. If a steel player doesn't have a good ear and a good understanding of pitch, he/she will never play in tune. Your ear must provide your hands with information on which way to adjust to sound right. No matter how perfectly you tune your guitar, it requires constant hand to ear feedback to PLAY it in tune. If it isn't perfectly straight across the strings, the chord will not be in tune. In addition to the heat/expansion effect, once your bar hits the strings a bunch of things can happen. Same can happen in heat or air conditioning or outside in sunlight. SURPRISED? It can vary enough to make it WAAAAAAY out of tune. Now rub the string between your thumb and forefinger, moving your fingers from one end to the other of the string 3 or 4 times to warm it up. If you don't believe it, tune your 5th string to B or your 6 th string to G# STRAIGHT UP on your tuner. Strings change pitch by simply placing your hands on them. GET USED TO THE FACT THAT YOUR PEDAL STEEL WILL NEVER BE PERFECTLY IN TUNE BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN'T PLAY IN TUNE.

THERE IS SOME FLEXIBILITY IN THE EXACT NUMBERS.

Lap steel c6 tuning chart