Members niceguy Posted February 17, 2010 Members Share Posted February 17, 2010 I'm a Fender fella, but always looking to get back into the Gibson world. I tune all my guitars down a half-step, and on some of my songs, I play in drop D. Meaning, on some of my songs, my bass E string is tuned to Db. I don't get any floppy-string problems on my Fender, but I'm wondering how the shorter Gibson scale would react. Is this gonna be a problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Red Barron Posted February 17, 2010 Members Share Posted February 17, 2010 I'm a Fender fella, but always looking to get back into the Gibson world.I tune all my guitars down a half-step, and on some of my songs, I play in drop D. Meaning, on some of my songs, my bass E string is tuned to Db.I don't get any floppy-string problems on my Fender, but I'm wondering how the shorter Gibson scale would react. Is this gonna be a problem? In short, no. You'll be fine at 1/2 step down. I often play a full step down on my LP and two steps down with heavier strings on my SG and I don't have any problems with floppiness. YMMV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mrbrown49 Posted February 17, 2010 Members Share Posted February 17, 2010 If it is a problem go up a gauge and you'll be fine. Also make sure you setup the guitar for that tuning and string gauge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fu2jobu Posted February 17, 2010 Members Share Posted February 17, 2010 No problems, I use 9's tuned down a half step on my Epi LP's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Large Posted February 17, 2010 Members Share Posted February 17, 2010 No problem at all. Slash generally plays half a step down Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SirJackdeFuzz Posted February 17, 2010 Members Share Posted February 17, 2010 I play 80% of the time 4 steps down, C std, with no ishoo's. I use 13-65 Jazz flat wounds w a wound G on my Gibbo SG. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ExiledCrow Posted February 17, 2010 Members Share Posted February 17, 2010 No problem at all. Slash generally plays half a step down I believe Angus often does as well .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members niceguy Posted February 17, 2010 Author Members Share Posted February 17, 2010 awesome, thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tlbonehead Posted February 19, 2010 Members Share Posted February 19, 2010 I'm a Fender fella, but always looking to get back into the Gibson world.I tune all my guitars down a half-step, and on some of my songs, I play in drop D. Meaning, on some of my songs, my bass E string is tuned to Db.I don't get any floppy-string problems on my Fender, but I'm wondering how the shorter Gibson scale would react. Is this gonna be a problem?Why would it be a problem? There is a reason that you can choose your required string gauge for each string. I tune 1/2 step down ordinarily and use dropped-D(C# actually) quite often. For a dedicated dropped-D guitar I go up about 4 numbers on the low E string. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Spike Li Posted February 19, 2010 Members Share Posted February 19, 2010 No problems, I play half step down (and lower like drop D and occasionally C std) with 9s - not ideal but not a big deal. I also have a gibson scale guitar in C std with 10s and thats fine. Brendon Small - the guy behind Dethklok - plays in C std on Gibsons and he says he uses the equivalent of 10s on his unwound strings (and I think 11s on the wound ones). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Spike Li Posted February 19, 2010 Members Share Posted February 19, 2010 I believe Angus often does as well .... Not to derail the topic, but why is half step down so popular? One thing that confuses me for example is why Metallica often play half step down live when their songs were originally recorded in standard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ashasha Posted February 19, 2010 Members Share Posted February 19, 2010 Not to derail the topic, but why is half step down so popular? One thing that confuses me for example is why Metallica often play half step down live when their songs were originally recorded in standard I've heard that it's easier to sing a half step down. I believe that all the Roth era Van Halen stuff was down a half step where as most of the Hagar stuff was standard. It also sounds a bit heavier and makes the strings slinkier. I don't do it very often, but everytime I tune down I just ask myself why I don't do it more often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tlbonehead Posted February 19, 2010 Members Share Posted February 19, 2010 its amazing how much difference just 1/2 step makes for singing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members the_gunslinger Posted February 19, 2010 Members Share Posted February 19, 2010 I never really felt much of a difference in Eb between 25 1/2' and 24 3/4" scale lengths. Then again, I'm much more focused on making music to really notice such things minor differences. You should be perfectly fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members soundcreation Posted February 19, 2010 Members Share Posted February 19, 2010 1/2 step down was very popular in the 80's metal/glam metal scene as mentioned above. The "charvel" type tones back then were already quite high sounding,,,maybe the drop tuning was to compensate a bit. I love half step down. Makes a nice change sometimes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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