Detuning my electric guitar, help!

h00t · #1 04-20-2007, 05:38 PM

Hey fellas, I've been playing guitar for about 10 years. My axe of choice is a Stratocaster with a single bridge humbucker. I have no more ideas for sweet riffs within the range of standard E, so I would like to go lower. I'm having a hellish time trying to set up my strat's intonation with the thick detuned strings. Would there happen to be a factory made guitar that is an entire octave below my strat? Is that even possible?

fryBASS · #2 04-20-2007, 05:41 PM

I believe that Fender VI Bass is just the thing your looking for.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ....S-?sku=517904
Here's some more info on it, http://theband.hiof.no/articles/fender_bass_vi.html

lemur821 · #3 04-20-2007, 05:59 PM

I think Danelectro may make or used to make something of the sort as well. Plus any six string bass could be strung in that tuning. The spacing could be funny, of course.

Watch out though, pretty soon you'll be eyeballing one of these.

WalterBush · #4 04-20-2007, 06:26 PM

Ibanez, Halo, and Fernandez all have guitars made specifically to do what you're asking. The only adjustment to your playing you might have to make is scale--anything tuned that low requires a longer scale length than a standard guitar, although I've tuned standard guitars down to A with baritone strings. Any lower and they don't stay in tune, IME.

You may, or may not like a longer scale (anywhere from 27" to 30", depending on model, and Halo will custom-make you one at a production price) Personally, I'm saving up for an 8-string baritone from Ibanez, which will tune as low as you (and I) want, and still retains the upper range as well. I love the longer scale, since my bass-playin' hands don't fit the upper registers on a 25 1/2" guitar well.

I predict an 11 string bass in my future, as well...I seem to be addicted to extended range instruments. Maybe I should just break down and buy a Chapman stick...

Oh yeah, BC Rich and Danelectro have baritone models, as well, although I'm not sure how well they'd tune a full octave down from a guitar. They're made to tune BEADF#B. It would depend heavily on string guage, and the stiffness of the guitars' necks.

WillaiMC · #5 04-20-2007, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WalterBush

Ibanez, Halo, and Fernandez all have guitars made specifically to do what you're asking. The only adjustment to your playing you might have to make is scale--anything tuned that low requires a longer scale length than a standard guitar, although I've tuned standard guitars down to A with baritone strings. Any lower and they don't stay in tune, IME.

You may, or may not like a longer scale (anywhere from 27" to 30", depending on model, and Halo will custom-make you one at a production price) Personally, I'm saving up for an 8-string baritone from Ibanez, which will tune as low as you (and I) want, and still retains the upper range as well. I love the longer scale, since my bass-playin' hands don't fit the upper registers on a 25 1/2" guitar well.

I predict an 11 string bass in my future, as well...I seem to be addicted to extended range instruments. Maybe I should just break down and buy a Chapman stick...

Oh yeah, BC Rich and Danelectro have baritone models, as well, although I'm not sure how well they'd tune a full octave down from a guitar. They're made to tune BEADF#B. It would depend heavily on string guage, and the stiffness of the guitars' necks.

HALO as in the one that makes the Octavia and the Hellfire?

I had no idea Wayland was into Baritones. I'll have to call him and find out when he got into those! I've known him to be against long scale guitars. Thats why you can get all of his guitars in 7 or 8 string form.

WalterBush · #6 04-20-2007, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillaiMC

HALO as in the one that makes the Octavia and the Hellfire?

I had no idea Wayland was into Baritones. I'll have to call him and find out when he got into those! I've known him to be against long scale guitars. Thats why you can get all of his guitars in 7 or 8 string form.

They told me at NAMM that for a minimal charge, they'd be happy to make a 30" Octavia in gloss black for me, and invited me to stop in at their Cupertino shop. Unfortunately, I had to leave the Bay Area soon after, and never had the chance.

WillaiMC · #7 04-20-2007, 10:40 PM

WOW.

30" 8 string with EMG 808s'

thats would call for some serious downtuning...that would pretty much be an 8 string bass...

h00t · #8 04-20-2007, 11:09 PM

I'm actually just being an ass. It's an impersonation of a guitarist that doesn't acknowledge the importance and science behind the bass guitar.

WalterBush · #9 04-20-2007, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h00t

I'm actually just being an ass. It's an impersonation of a guitarist that doesn't acknowledge the importance and science behind the bass guitar.

That's alright, I'm just a bassist who insists on detuning guitars because I don't acknowledge the importance and science that went into designing electric guitars. Plus, telling guitarists you play a baritone, 7, or 8 string guitar annoys them more than telling them you're a bassist