Drop D tuning

getuhgrip · #1 06-16-2001

No newbie guitar forum here, so you guys are stuck with this! After spending an hour deciphering some early VH, I flipped on a CD, strapped on my Mexicaster and got ready to chase Eddie (try to keep up with) around my basement! Didn't even get to the solo in "Runnin' with the Devil" before I realized sumthin' wasn't quite right.
You guys knew where this was headed before I got going. So, what's up with drop d? Why did he use this tuning and how do I tune to it? I've got a seiko tuner. Is there a setting that'll help me with this tuning?

Krystof01 · #2 06-16-2001

If your asking how to tune to drop D; (i think thats what your asking).

-take the E string (thickest string), drop it down a half step. When droped down it should sound the same as the A string if you fret the 7th fret of the E (now D) string. (I take it you can tune by matching the pitch from the string above?)

-On a tuner-the pitch for standard tuning is 440, by altering the tuner frequency to 439 you would get Eb so I guess drop D being a full step down would be 438?

-you can also get the E string and match it to the D string (4th string). it will produce the same note though an octave apart. You have to use your ears (if not a tuner), it will sound right.

Then play a big fat D chord, all the strings should ring true (as does an E chord in regular tuning).

Maybe this was what you were after, maybe not. I know it may sound a bit confusing but it's easier to do it than it is to explain it,
Krystof.

F_cksia · #3 06-16-2001

It's so easy, really something for starting guitarplayers (sorry...)

Another tuning, if you don't want to have that (too) low D tuning, but also want to hit a chord by just push all strings at one fret:

Beginning in normal tuning:

tune A-string as B: as 7th fret of E-string
tune D-string as E: as 5th fret of A(now B)-string

I hope this is right, I wrote it without checking it on guit, but I think it works.

This tuning is nicer, because normally when you want to play a A-powerchord, you just hit the E-string 5th fret, 'cause you know that's the A. In drop D-tuning, you mostly first have to think: the E is now D so the A is on the place where normally the B is, etc. etc.

Cyrokk · #4 06-16-2001

I believe much of Van Halen's earlier work was actually tuned down half a step from standard.. In other words, his E string. when not dropped to D was actually tuned down to E flat.. Rumor has it that they had to tune down to compensate for David Lee Roth's inability to sing at the higher register.. Whether that's true or not I don't really know or care.. but other reasons for the lower tunings could have been because it fit Ed's sound at the time or the strings gave a looser feel that way..

micmac · #5 06-16-2001

The frequency stuff:

The lower D would be 297hz. That's one whole step down from E. By tuning down from 440 to 439 you wouldn't hear too much of a difference.

The easiest way is just as Krystof said, play the D-string and then tune the E-string down to a D by matching the two.

Apart from adjusting the tuning to a specific singers voice or capacity, the tuning down/change of key makes the sound slightly heavier and just a bit darker, even if it's just half a step.

micmac

Krystof01 · #6 06-17-2001

One other thing. Van Halen I believe has a switch/bar that adjusts his tuning. It drops down to Drop D, adjusts the truss rod or something. A D-tuna or something,
Krystof.

getuhgrip · #7 06-17-2001

Thanks guys,
439 is what I was looking for.

tubedude · #8 06-17-2001

Dude! I write 90% of my stuff in drop D tuning. Once you get used to the extra balls on the low end, theres no going back.

micmac · #9 06-17-2001

Quote:

Originally posted by getuhgrip
Thanks guys,
439 is what I was looking for.

A=440hz
E=330hz
E flat=310hz (or 311? can't remember)
D=294hz (correction from my last post)

You're looking for 310 or 294. The difference between 439hz and A at 440hz is just over 1/20th of a half step. Not even close to an A flat... Some cheap tuners that use too few led indicators won't show a difference between 439hz/440hz. The one on my old Boss GX-700, for example, does not.

getuhgrip · #10 06-17-2001

Just re-strung to 011 Markleys....Slinkys at 09 were all over the place. But I do like the bottom end!

Cyrokk · #11 06-17-2001

although I do write some stuff in other keys.. the D tuning is my favorite.. Soundgarden's best stuff is in drop D.. and practically all of Tool's is as well.. can't get much heavier than them..

getuhgrip · #12 06-18-2001

Another Tool-O-Maniac!!

Cyrokk · #13 06-18-2001

lol... don't get me started.. i'm not even allowed to mention them out loud because the wife is sick of hearing my love for them..

white_noise · #14 06-19-2001

Quote from above

" I believe much of Van Halen's earlier work was actually tuned down half a step from standard.. In other words, his E string. when not dropped to D was actually tuned down to E flat.. Rumor has it that they had to tune down to compensate for David Lee Roth's inability to sing at the higher register.. Whether that's true or not I don't really know or care.. but other reasons for the lower tunings could have been because it fit Ed's sound at the time or the strings gave a looser feel that way.."
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I agree with this statement. I don't recall any songs on the first 3 records with drop "D". His primary tuning durring this time was down 1/2 step.