Another "how low do you go" thread...

Bucket · August 2013

This time, we're talking tunings.

Which different ones do you use? Not necessarily "low" ones, just tunings you like other than standard.

I personally use Eb and drop Db a lot, as those are the tunings my band uses. I also like D standard and drop C, and keep a guitar in open C too (CGCGCE). I also have a seven-string, which is usually in B although I sometimes tune it up half a step to C standard/drop Bb.

Other, weirder tunings I like:

CGCGCD - similar to open C, I think it's open Csus2 tuning. Very nice.

FAC#FAC# - all in major thirds, so pentatonics have a serious whole-tone flavour which is really cool.

What tunings do you all like?

mike_l · August 2013

Standard E. Mostly cos I can't be arsed with anything else......

ROOG · August 2013

LOL, I feel much happier now.

Bidley · August 2013

My band plays everything in Eb, just sounds that touch darker which is cool. Other than that I've not really dabbled much, I've tried drop D but not to any great extent. My Yamaha Drop 6 is in C-standard and that sounds pretty cool. I've yet to experiment with open tunings...

ROOG · August 2013

I've only tried drop d, I think that's what it's called and it felt like cheating.

bertie · August 2013

mike_l said:

Standard E. Mostly cos I can't be arsed with anything else......

this, (apart from acoustics, which are all Eb)

thumpingrug · August 2013

Standard, but occasionally drop d (all on the JTVariax) Some of the others confuse me too much. My theory knowledge is crap.

[Deleted User] · August 2013

John Martyn's favourite; CFCCGD. The two middle strings are in unison - the third string is tuned right down to C.

grungebob · August 2013

Eb for most as it makes singing easier then drop C# I guess from there plus I have a schecter in D standard oh and one in CADGBE.

Si_ · August 2013

Eb the tuning of the people... with a Db for a fews songs.

octatonic · August 2013

With 25.5" scale I don't see any point in going any lower than C.

ICBM · August 2013

I use drop D occasionally, and EBEEBE which I use for mystical Robbie Krieger-esque psuedo-oriental noodling. I keep my 12-string acoustic tuned down a tone so I can use heavy strings on it, which sounds much better.

I have also tuned a couple of Telecasters as baritones, either B-B or A-A. No mods needed other than widening the nut grooves, and using a bass string (double ball end type with the smaller ball end, larger one cut off) for the low A or B.

Chuffola · August 2013

Open G for Keef and Pagey. Mainly keep the Tele in this tuning.

Drop D is great fun. But primarily standard E.

Dave_Mc · August 2013

Normally E

Sometimes Eb

Occasionally drop D or drop Db

If i could be bothered setting up a guitar for it, I'd probably try to do drop C as well for killswitch engage type stuff

Phil_aka_Pip · August 2013

When I'm a master of standard tuning, maybe I'll try something else.

3 or 4 years ago I used my cheap chinese plank tuned down a semitone for the benefit of other people who wanted their song in Eb, so that I could get the effect of some chord shapes that relied on open strings. But otherwise I'm not bothered enough to use anything other than standard tuning

Sporky · August 2013

Mostly E standard, the baritones are B-B and C-C, the short scale Daisy rock is F# standard. I do like tuning the 12 string so that the second course is in 5ths for one-finger power chord flogging.

NervousJohn · August 2013

My acoustic often ends up in CGDGBE, which I saw in a magazine article about Richard Thompson. You've got standard tuning for the treble strings and a lovely booming bass.

Bucket · August 2013

@NervousJohn that sounds really cool, I'll give that one a go!

I like the sound of the 12-string idea too, Spork. Would that I had a 12er to do it on!

meltedbuzzbox · August 2013

Standard. Sometimes I dabble with other tunings if it benefits a song.

I dont buy into the drop tune to make something sound heavier.

Drop C is in bass territory

Lew · August 2013

Bb as standard. Sometimes A depending on what I'm doing and very ocasionally I'll drop the low string down as low as G. I'm cheating though as I play 7's-so basically half a step down :-p

ewal · August 2013

I spend a lot of time in a variant of Open G - DGDGAD - because I spend endless hours playing simple octave melodies on the 5th and 3rd strings. If I feel in need of a key change I shove the capo on.

Gulliver · August 2013

In order of most-useage:

Standard

Drop D
Open D
DADGAD

BEADF#B (only used for a bit of recording now and again)

I occasionally dabble in Open G - and my old band was tuned to CGCFAD (Drop D down a tone) mainly because of the singer's range...

Drew_TNBD · August 2013

Drop C - CGCFAD - but not every song we play is in C. Got a bunch in G melodic minor and even some stuff in Bminor and Fminor.

We don't use major keys. They are teh suck.

:O)

monquixote · August 2013

I mostly just play in E standard.

I'll occasionally do a bit of drop D, open G and DADGAD.

DiscoStu · August 2013

E standard

Drop D

sometimes DADGAD.

I probably use a capo more than I detune/retune.

I did once tune C# F# C# F# A# C# which was rather delicious...

BigBearKris · August 2013

I play E standard, heavier strings (11s on my tele) I go half step down. For a bit of slide I use open G. That's it

stickyfiddle · August 2013

Usually E Standard, and occasionally Open G, particularly on acoustic. I'm also fond of D Standard- really lovely on a Tele in particular, and my Taylor sounds way better in D Std than E Std.

jaygtr · August 2013

95% standard
5% drop D

boogieman · August 2013

Electrics: Drop D for Everlong, standard E for most other stuff. My Takamine is usually in DADGAD. The Tele lives permanently in open G for Keef style tomfoolery.

octatonic · August 2013

I also have a guitar, usually a Tele, strung up in Nashville tuning too.

chrispy108 · August 2013

One in Drop C, One in Standard, don't play either

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Another "how low do you go" thread...

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