Tuning Down a Step

[hamerhead]

Help! I get to the first practice with the new band and learn they are tuning down a step. I am not a fan. Playing out-of-tune limp spaghetti strings sucks (being able to bend about 8 steps is awesome, though).

So - what do I do? I play 10s normally and like a little fight. Do I go with 12s or will 11s be heavy enough? Can it be done with a Bigsby-equipped guitar or will that just cause a different set of headaches? Or do I just get one of those drop tune pedals and use standard tuning?

I guess what I need to know is what you guys do to successfully set up a guitar for tuning down a full step while keeping the feeling right and the tuning stable.

Thank you.

[bubs_42]

29 minutes ago, hamerhead said:

Help! I get to the first practice with the new band and learn they are tuning down a step. I am not a fan. Playing out-of-tune limp spaghetti strings sucks (being able to bend about 8 steps is awesome, though).

So - what do I do? I play 10s normally and like a little fight. Do I go with 12s or will 11s be heavy enough? Can it be done with a Bigsby-equipped guitar or will that just cause a different set of headaches? Or do I just get one of those drop tune pedals and use standard tuning?

I guess what I need to know is what you guys do to successfully set up a guitar for tuning down a full step while keeping the feeling right and the tuning stable.

Thank you.

WHOLE STEP? Ya if your doing it with 10's now 12's are your next step. As far as the bigsby thing, I don't know, heck now that I think of it, wonder if you'll just have to buy another guitar so you don't have to recut your nut for 12. Damn your luck.  

 

[scottcald]

If you like the way your guitars play, and you have pedals, go with the pedal.  That way, if they decide to tune differently beyond that, it's no headache.  Just play loud enough that you don't hear the acoustic sound of the guitar clashing with the pitch dropped sound.   You could also just play in standard and adjust how you play the songs.  Might give them a nice different texture.  Or do a combo of that.  

[unfun75]

Hit me up with a PM if you're interested in a Digitech Drop pedal. Watch some vids, I think you'll like it.

[LucSulla]

On a 24.75 scale neck, I play 10s in standard.  I've got 12s on an LP for playing tuned to D or C standard.  Perfect for C, but still a little tight for me in D.  I think a gauge-per-whole step works pretty well for me.  I've never had to mess with the nut. 

[Armitage]

In the '70s lots of bands tuned down a half step with Gibson 740XL strings... 9-38

[oldskoolrulz]

We tune down 1/2 step in our band, so I go with 10's (regular slinky's) instead of 9's (super slinky's) on my LP and it seems to work just fine.  Not sure I could do a whole step with strings being that loose, especially the drop D stuff...

[DaveL]

 I would say try .11's and see how it responds.   better to be out 5 bucks than to start tweaking

at the nut which you may have to do with 12's...   

[Steve Haynie]

You could recommend they get a singer who can hit notes a whole step higher. 

Maybe you can try a guitar with a longer scale. 

[velorush]

NOT AN EXPERT!  However, IF there is another guitar in the band tuned down a whole step, consider the possibility of remaining in standard tuning and transposing the songs.  He fills the low mids, you the high mids, sort of like the textural difference of having one guitar capoed.  I've done it playing with guys tuned down a half-step.  It takes a little getting used to, but after that it works fine.  Whole step seems like it might be easier.

Ah, it was just a thought.

[hamerhead]

2 hours ago, Steve Haynie said:

.....get a singer who can hit notes a whole step higher. 

That's the problem with geezer bands - the risk of stroke, heart attack, or blowing a nut is also a whole step higher.

[Ting Ho Dung]

I use regular top heavy bottoms slinkys at Drop C. CGCFAD. They also have an eleven to fifty-four IIRC. But remember your nut is cut and may not be able to swallow thicker strings. Your guitar will also need a setup. I don't know if I'd try it on a Bigsby. I've never tried it but I have tried it on various trems and some work some don't. Just depends on the guitar. 

[hamerhead]

As a starting point, I just went up a gauge with my normal D'addario strings - .011-.049. It feels much better but sounds like ass even after resetting the harmonics. It's probably a bad set of strings, just dull and lifeless. The old strings (over a year old) sounded better.

Either way, all is for naught as this project has been one frustration after another and is heading in a direction I'm not interested in. Great people and great musicians but I'm bailing early so they can find a suitable replacement without wasting too much of their time. It sucks because it could have been a blast.

[murkat]

use a long scale type guitar with low output pickups, 12~ 52 string set, up the action a lil bit.

[crunchee]

On 1/21/2017 at 10:51 AM, Ting Ho Dung said:

I use regular top heavy bottoms slinkys at Drop C. CGCFAD. They also have an eleven to fifty-four IIRC. But remember your nut is cut and may not be able to swallow thicker strings. Your guitar will also need a setup. I don't know if I'd try it on a Bigsby. I've never tried it but I have tried it on various trems and some work some don't. Just depends on the guitar. 

 

More experienced hands (such as Murkat) might have a better, more educated idea on how thicker gauge strings work on a Bigsby than me...but Bigsbys came out in the late '40's/early '50's, when just about the only strings available were heavy Black Diamond brand or Gibson Monels.

[Ting Ho Dung]

4 minutes ago, crunchee said:

More experienced hands (such as Murkat) might have a better, more educated idea on how thicker gauge strings work on a Bigsby...but Bigsbys came out in the late '40's/early '50's, when just about the only strings available were heavy Black Diamond brand or Gibson Monels.

Gee, Okay

[LittleC]

On ‎1‎/‎21‎/‎2017 at 11:51 AM, Ting Ho Dung said:

I use these as well.  Used them on the Bigsby'd Newport I had just fine.  Did not tune down however so I cannot comment on that.  When playing with those that do, I rather just transpose my part and play along as usual, but that's just me.

[murkat]

you can purchase a heavy bigsby spring if needed.

but tuned down with lager strings will equal out about the same as 440 tuning with 10's

[Steve Haynie]

unfun75 had a Digitech Drop pedal for sale and then it was gone.  ehx has their Pitch Fork pedal. 

Keep your strings and set up the way you like them, and use a pedal.  The only problem I can foresee is that if you tune your guitar before it runs through the pitch shift pedal you might not be in perfect tune with those people who really have their instruments detuned. 

 

[hamerhead]

Tuners?!? We don't need no stinking tuners!

[Studio Custom]

On 1/21/2017 at 11:51 AM, Ting Ho Dung said:

 

Like the perfect woman, NOT!

[velorush]

7 minutes ago, Studio Custom said:

Like the perfect woman, NOT!

Some would disagree!

[Ting Ho Dung]

2 hours ago, Studio Custom said:

Like the perfect woman, NOT!

42...39...56. You can say she's got it all.........Whole lotta Rosie.