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Dropped "D" Tuning


wgarces

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Posted

I know Sabbath tuned down a couple steps but they say that's because they never used tuners! Iommi says they use to just tune up to whatever key they were closest to and play.

But I'm trying to think of the earliest example of a dropped d tuning, you know, the tuning EVERY nu-metal band uses nowadays!

The earliest song I can think of with a dropped d tuning is Aerosmith's "Chiquita" off Night in The Ruts.

I sure it was used way before that....I just can't think of a song with it.

Also, if you like Randy Rhoads, check this out....it's before a show in Texas.

http://progger.usask.ca/rr/randy_texas.mpg

Posted

Not the earliest, but "Unchained" by VH had to be the one that really jumpstarted the whole drop-D thing.

Back in the day, I had one floating Floyd guitar set up in drop-D just to play "Unchained," and "Lay It Down" and "You're In Love" by Ratt.

Posted

Was Moby Dick recorded in drop-D, or was it just tuned a whole step down? That pre-dates a lot of other oft-mentioned 'drop-d pioneer' songs.

Matt

Posted

Didn't Page use the tuning D-A-D-G-A-D often? Does that count? I think it's typically a slide tuning.

Posted

Drop D is all over early Doobie Brothers material. Lead off track to their '71 debut is drop D.

Edited to state that most of the early DB stuff is more likely double drop D.

Posted
:unsure:
Posted

Yeah, Page used that tuning and I think Moby Dick was done a whole step down. I'm referring to a tuning that only has the low E dropped to a D. Jeff R mentioned Unchained which is true, but not the earliest.

Doobie Bros., really? Gotta check that out!

What's double dropped D?

Anyone have trouble opening the Rhoads link?

Posted

double drop D would be both E strings tuned down to D. The 2 DB cd's I'd suggest are "What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits", or "The Captain And Me". Even taking away the obvious hits, both are very strong records. Even approved by this metal head at heart, lol!

Posted
double drop D would be both E strings tuned down to D.  The 2 DB cd's I'd suggest are "What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits", or "The Captain And Me".  Even taking away the obvious hits, both are very strong records.  Even approved by this metal head at heart, lol!

Dude, "Road Angel" rocks! :unsure:

Posted

Sabbath tuned down a lot due to Immoi's fake fingertips that he made to replace the real ones he lost in a factory accident. It made it easier for him to bend the strings.

Posted

Hey drop D tuners,

Led Zeppelin's "Ten Years Gone" from Physical Graffiti is another famous Drop D tuning song by Jimmy Page.

Guitar George

Posted

Paige Hamilton of Helmet uses dropped D to it's fullest extent. That guy utilizes some great chord coloration. Great player.

Posted
double drop D would be both E strings tuned down to D.  The 2 DB cd's I'd suggest are "What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits", or "The Captain And Me".  Even taking away the obvious hits, both are very strong records.  Even approved by this metal head at heart, lol!

Dude, "Road Angel" rocks! :unsure:

yes, it does.... check out "Without You", and "Evil Woman" from "The Captain And Me". They rock pretty hard as well.... With 5 or so great albums under their belts, I never understood the rationale behind adding Michael McDonald. The Doobies were a great guitar band prior to that. He joined right around the Disco era didn't he?

Just thought about another drop D band: The Byrds. Check out "Bells Of Rhymney". That'd be 1965.

Posted
Sabbath tuned down a lot due to Immoi's fake fingertips that he made to replace the real ones he lost in a factory accident. It made it easier for him to bend the strings.

And, of course, "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" would be an example of a drop-D song.

Posted
Sabbath tuned down a lot due to Immoi's fake fingertips that he made to replace the real ones he lost in a factory accident. It made it easier for him to bend the strings.

And, of course, "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" would be an example of a drop-D song.

On SBS, I think the guitar was tuned down a whole step. I saw Iommi do the song live and he wasn't using those one-finger chords, even though he is missing part of his fingers! Or was it Children of the Grave? I used to pull my hair out trying to learn Sabbath songs until I found out that they would actually tune all the way down to freakin key they wanted the song to be in. I guess that's what made them so heavy back then. On Into the Void the guitar was tuned to C or C#, I forget which one. Snowblind is another song where on the album they do one thing but live they're playing it in open E. I guess it's easier on Ozzy's vocals that way!

Posted
Paige Hamilton of Helmet uses dropped D to it's fullest extent. That guy utilizes some great chord coloration. Great player.

+1 !!!

Posted

Joe Walsh ... Life of Illusion .... I doubt it's the first.... but definitely one of my favorites...

Posted

"Fat Bottomed Girls" 1978.

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