This really went on a tangent. My original post was about tuning a half step up from standard.
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What alt. tuning do you or your band use?
- Thread starter OOZMAN
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This really went on a tangent. My original post was about tuning a half step up from standard.
I fiddled with D# and D standard for a while, but I've settled on a 5er in standard and keep the 4 string on hand in standard for songs that it sounds better for.
I don't know about every song in the Ozzy set, but I know No More Tears, one of his bigger hits, was written in Drop C#, so it has to be at least that low. When Trujillo was playing I think he just used standard on his 5ers based on a live video of that song being played.
I don't know about every song in the Ozzy set, but I know No More Tears, one of his bigger hits, was written in Drop C#, so it has to be at least that low. When Trujillo was playing I think he just used standard on his 5ers based on a live video of that song being played.
Just got a guitar, (yeah I'm sorry guys) and was mucking around with tunings and tuned it G D A D G B, and found it pretty cool actually, i can play Pantera's Sandblasted skin with it, and when i mute the A string i get a cool chord, and of course its got the last 5 strings of a drop D guitar, so i can play most drop D stuff, and playing Slayer's Playing with dolls with the G strings sounds immensely cool (usually played with the D# strings because they tune half step down). So it's pretty cool.
While playing at home I like to keep it tuned to standard to keep my fingers up. But I've played D Standard and Cb before. I prefer E or even Eb, though.
It's good to find someone else who loves tuning in fifths.
My bass is a 4 string tuned a whole step down (D-Standard, DGCF)
One of my guitars is tuned in fifths starting with a low F (same as bass E on the first fret!!) so that axe is tuned FCGDAE.
My other guitar which is a seven string is tuned in fourths, starting with a low A,Bb, or B. (so it's either BEADGCF, BbEbAbDbGbBE, or ADGCFBbEb).
I plan on tuning this one in fifths in the future, but I can't quite decide if I want a higher string(FCGDAEB) or a lower one(BbFCGDAE).
Eventually I try and grab one of these so I can tune it to BbFCGDAEB.
ESP LTD FM-418 8 String Electric Guitar
Yes, there are actually strings specifically made for such freakish tunings like these.
I don't like standard tuning on guitars because it isn't symmetrical (started on bass in stacked fourths tuning), and since I don't play 5,6, or 7 string chords, I have nothing to gain (except headaches) from tuning two adjacent strings to a major third instead of a perfect fourth.
All_¥our_Bass;9443488 said:It's good to find someone else who loves tuning in fifths.
My bass is a 4 string tuned a whole step down (D-Standard, DGCF)
One of my guitars is tuned in fifths starting with a low F (same as bass E on the first fret!!) so that axe is tuned FCGDAE.
My other guitar which is a seven string is tuned in fourths, starting with a low A,Bb, or B. (so it's either BEADGCF, BbEbAbDbGbBE, or ADGCFBbEb).
I plan on tuning this one in fifths in the future, but I can't quite decide if I want a higher string(FCGDAEB) or a lower one(BbFCGDAE).
Eventually I try and grab one of these so I can tune it to BbFCGDAEB.
ESP LTD FM-418 8 String Electric Guitar
Yes, there are actually strings specifically made for such freakish tunings like these.
I don't like standard tuning on guitars because it isn't symmetrical (started on bass in stacked fourths tuning), and since I don't play 5,6, or 7 string chords, I have nothing to gain (except headaches) from tuning two adjacent strings to a major third instead of a perfect fourth.
I think i have a solution for you: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
^I've seen that before, nice instrument.
But I'd prefer 8 strings and I actually need it to be a shorter scale if I'm gonna get a high B to work.
But I'd prefer 8 strings and I actually need it to be a shorter scale if I'm gonna get a high B to work.
A couple months ago I changed to BEAD. It's taking some getting used to, but now I don't think I could play without the B.
I have a four banger and I play in drop B for many of my songs. It is nice to have the octaves on the next string over.
Everything a half step down, so E flat or B flat on the fiver. This came about maybe three years ago, when I started with a bluesy guitar player who tuned down.
I resisted at first, but the guitard explained his deal: Blues guys like the heavy strings but with less tension. Also, he found it easier to sing down half a step. I tried compensating, but after a while just gave it up and tuned down.
After a while I got used to the looser feel. A little set up work to dial it all in and I started liking it. Now I wouldn't go back. Even with bands that play in standard tuning I keep my half step down and just "change the key". I used to make notes on the set list but now it's just automatic.
When I read music I just play it as written in my lower tuning, and move it up if I need to play with someone in standard tuning.
An added bonus is that half assed harp players can't seem to figure this out. (and we're not much help explaining it) Good harp players get a song in what ever key they want.
I resisted at first, but the guitard explained his deal: Blues guys like the heavy strings but with less tension. Also, he found it easier to sing down half a step. I tried compensating, but after a while just gave it up and tuned down.
After a while I got used to the looser feel. A little set up work to dial it all in and I started liking it. Now I wouldn't go back. Even with bands that play in standard tuning I keep my half step down and just "change the key". I used to make notes on the set list but now it's just automatic.
When I read music I just play it as written in my lower tuning, and move it up if I need to play with someone in standard tuning.
An added bonus is that half assed harp players can't seem to figure this out. (and we're not much help explaining it) Good harp players get a song in what ever key they want.
90% of the time I play in a standard tuning (E standard, D standard). I really don't like drop tuning.
I'm also a fan of looser strings, I have .130 .100 .85 .60 tuned drop C, only my bass is short scale, so the strings are a bit looser than standard tuning on a full scale, I imagine the tension would be similar to your setup.
This band I just joined splits our tuning, depending on the song, between A- standard and drop G.
Please check out our recordings at www.questioner.us and let me know what you think (even though it's not me playing on the recording.)
My bass has a 35.5" scale but its still not long enough to compensate for the low G flop. Does anyone else tune this low or have any pointers for getting this to sound decent?
Please check out our recordings at www.questioner.us and let me know what you think (even though it's not me playing on the recording.)
My bass has a 35.5" scale but its still not long enough to compensate for the low G flop. Does anyone else tune this low or have any pointers for getting this to sound decent?
I want that one!
I also have some serious gas over the SR vii7. I've tried to find one (not that i can afford one) and as far as i can tell, they don't really exist. They made an appearance at NAMM 09, got canned in reviews, and the dealers ibanez links to on their website don't sell them.
The idea of a 7 string, fender bass vi type instrument really, really appeals to me, but i have to wonder if 30" scale could support a decent sounding b string. it sounds skeptical to me in the one video review ive seen of the thing...
I've said it before in a thread and I'll say it again - bigger strings. I really don't understand the mentality here that there is no such thing as bigger strings.
All_¥our_Bass;9443488 said:
word. i think tb'er benjamin strange also digs 5ths.
and some on that db side too for sure...
i really just got sick of standard tuning after about 25 years of it. i started to play tenor guitar, in open tunings, 5ths, and then brought that over to the basses, to break myself out of the comfort zone. i feel it has made my writing much more melodic, and it's exciting to get a bit lost again.... often, that's when the magic happens.
i use a lot of different strings, everything from a .165 to a .20
in different combinations. i like piccolo sets especially, adding an .80 on the bottom and down tuning severely...
the f,f,c,f tuning covers 3 octaves, is loads of fun to play with, excellent for drone and "wall of sound" possibilities.
my main victim these days is my old hagstrom hb-2, short scale 4 string which has a neck thinner than some guitars, but the steel h- beam design
has been stable throughout the abuse. here it is with a piccolo set on it, i replaced the bridge with singles so it could be switched up and intonate easily:
