Members BlueSky1963 Posted August 3, 2011 Members Share Posted August 3, 2011 I've always kept at least 1 electric set up for tuning down a half step. I'm now considering running them all tuned down a half step. Who here tunes down and what, if any, issues have you run across? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members weareasmallaxe Posted August 3, 2011 Members Share Posted August 3, 2011 i do....a capo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members thop Posted August 3, 2011 Members Share Posted August 3, 2011 I go back and forth. I like the way things sound a half step down, but I run into issues like trying to learn a new song and forgetting that I'm in flats, or having it just not sound right. Sometimes after a while, it just sounds kind of blah and flat (pun intended) and I don't want to play in that tuning anymore. So when I get frustrated, I tune back up and then everything sounds so bright and springy it's like it's brand new again. It's kind of fun to do, keeps things interesting. I'm trying to find a good guitar to tune down a full step and leave there. So far the only one that sounds good like that is a samick/sx Frankenpaul I made, but it's my only double p90 guitar so I want it tuned normally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members drawdeep Posted August 3, 2011 Members Share Posted August 3, 2011 I have my two Jacksons (w/Floyds) tuned down 1/2 step for 80's stuff, all my others are in standard, and my Goth Les Paul is usually in drop C# for more modern stuff. No issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members wrongnote85 Posted August 3, 2011 Members Share Posted August 3, 2011 raises hand for the half stepness. i also dig tuning to a=430, which is pretty close to a quarter step down. it really confuses the {censored} outta people that try to play along with my recordings n such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bbreaker Posted August 3, 2011 Members Share Posted August 3, 2011 No. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Fusion1 Posted August 3, 2011 Members Share Posted August 3, 2011 Eb or Dropped C# Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mikesr1963 Posted August 3, 2011 Members Share Posted August 3, 2011 Eb, all guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jhorne Posted August 3, 2011 Members Share Posted August 3, 2011 Eb. Every band I've been in has always tuned down a half-step, so it has just become a habit... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ashasha Posted August 3, 2011 Members Share Posted August 3, 2011 I like it for some things because it just sounds fatter and it makes it easier to play along with a lot of the songs I like, but I probably keep one floyd equipped guitar tuned down 1/2, one tuned standard with a d-tuna and just about everything else I can adjust on the fly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members PigWings_v2.0 Posted August 3, 2011 Members Share Posted August 3, 2011 I keep my acoustic and my Schecter tuned down a half step. The G&L stays in standard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jrockbridge Posted August 3, 2011 Members Share Posted August 3, 2011 Most bands that tune down a half step (Eb) do so to help the singer. I have about half of my guitars tuned down a half step for that reason. Lots of songs are played on guitars tuned down a half step. It's a very common practice to help singers out with their limited vocal range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members billybilly Posted August 4, 2011 Members Share Posted August 4, 2011 I used to tune down half a step to accommodate my voice, but over the years it has deepened even more so that game is over. Standard for me and sing in different keys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Dirty South Al Posted August 4, 2011 Members Share Posted August 4, 2011 I really enjoy down tuning a full step and sometimes C#. I play a lot of riff southern rock style and down tuning 1 step or more just seems to work for me and sounds huge and swampy. I use 11-56 strings on my down tuned guitars. 10-52 on 1/2 step and standard tunings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DaleH Posted August 4, 2011 Members Share Posted August 4, 2011 I like to but most backing tracks I find to play over don't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kayd_mon Posted August 4, 2011 Members Share Posted August 4, 2011 All of my guitars are in standard. I have a (sort of) high vocal range, so I've never needed to drop tune for vocals, as I've been the singer in most of the bands I've been in. If anything, I need to transpose the song to a higher key. As for playing along with recordings, or needing a flat-tuned guitar for other bands, I've considered doing that with one of my guitars, but it will just end up being used much less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jshaffer20 Posted August 4, 2011 Members Share Posted August 4, 2011 My band started tuning half step down a few months ago to help our singer out. He was pretty much wearing himself out during a gig. He is much happier now with the dropped tuning. I like it as well because the guitars sound thicker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members J-E-M Posted August 4, 2011 Members Share Posted August 4, 2011 Love C#, with 10-46 strings - it's not really that loose. I'm wondering how Iommi got away using 8-38 with the same tuning and a shorter scale guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members orourke Posted August 4, 2011 Members Share Posted August 4, 2011 I'll bring five or six guitars to a gig - I bring two guitars tuned standard, one tuned a whole step down (D), one down to C, open D and open G. Sometime I use the same guitar for the open G and D tunings. I'll use different gauge stings depending on the guitar or tuning. Sounds like a lot of hassel, but I love that stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members OU8124ME Posted August 4, 2011 Members Share Posted August 4, 2011 Most bands that tune down a half step (Eb) do so to help the singer. I have about half of my guitars tuned down a half step for that reason. Lots of songs are played on guitars tuned down a half step. It's a very common practice to help singers out with their limited vocal range. Agreed, ^^^^ Me Too I Tune Down a 1/2 Step, Cause It's Easier, On The Singer Thanks Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members *BLEEP* Posted August 4, 2011 Members Share Posted August 4, 2011 I sometime like to tune down a 1/4 step or 3/4 step just to piss off the bass player and keyboardist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Zappa74 Posted August 4, 2011 Members Share Posted August 4, 2011 Keep my strat 1/2 down. Strats just sound best that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mnhhngbfs Posted August 4, 2011 Members Share Posted August 4, 2011 i tune down a whole step on all of my guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members citizens_X Posted August 4, 2011 Members Share Posted August 4, 2011 i tune a 1/2 step down, it's easier for me to sing this way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members meandi Posted August 4, 2011 Members Share Posted August 4, 2011 I've got one at D std, everything else is E std. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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