setup for low tuning.

  • Thread starter Thread starter zed32
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zed32

zed32

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i have a guitar that i have designated to be used for drop tuning (basically Drop D -1 step). i know thats probably pretty damn lame, but hey i like to play some low-tune metal type stuff every once in a while. anyway, i was wondering if maybe i could take the guitar to a shop and get it set up for the dropped tuning? or will the guitar guy just laugh at me and tell me to never come back? the strings i'm using on it are .13-.56, is that gonna hurt the guitar (Schecter C1+)? i figured i would probably want a heavy string to compensate for the lower tension of the dropped tuning. any other suggestions?


anyway, all my other guitars are in standard tuning FYI so don't laugh at me too much, :p :D :cool:
 
I dont know much about guitars but I play my electric (Ibanez RG170) in drop c tuning (which I think is what you are talking about because it is just drop d down one more step). At first I tried using thicker guage strings but it sounded like ass and really messed up my bridge. I ended up just using standard guage strings and adjusting the springs myself. I've had it in drop c now for a couple of years and its still playing excellent and keeps a good tension. Not sure if that's any help, but I know what you're going through lol.
 
well my guitar doesn't have the floating bridge, so that's not a concern...just wondering if i'm gonna bend up the neck or something by using heavy strings. they sound good right now, but for recording and stuff i just want to make sure i can get it set up pretty nicely and keep everything in tune.
 
yeah, you can get it setup like that. technically, you should setup your guitar every time you change your strings.
 
tom18222 said:
yeah, you can get it setup like that. technically, you should setup your guitar every time you change your strings.
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Don't you mean every time you change the gauge of your strings?

If you're just switching to a fresh pair of the same strings, there's no need for adjustments...
 
There's no problem with tuning down. It definitely won't hurt the guitar, since tuning down will cause less tension on the neck. You might get more string buss due to the neck straightening more due to the lower tension. If that happens you could loosen the truss rodd just a little to prevent buzz.

If you tune down AND get heavier strings, you might not need to adjust your truss rod at all, since they will counteract eachother (somewhat). Since lowering tuning reduces string tension, but heavier strings increase string tension.

With the strings that are on there your guitar should be fine in that tuning.
 
I have a Squier Affinity strat that I jacked the action up to play slide on, later I decided I wanted something to do quasi-baritone stuff with, mainly just double chords in a lower voicing, so I got some .13's (ribbon wound D'Addario Chromes) and slapped them on. I kept the action high, and the tension seems "right" to me when it's tuned down to C. When I tuned it up to D the neck looked like it was starting to bow, but then again it's a Squier Affinity, so it propably can't take the tension as well as your Schecter.

Still, I'd guess you could do like .11's and still do drop D a half step down without the strings getting too floppy, unless you really like to wrestle with the strings.
 
I have one guitar tuned to B, and just use the lowest 6 strings from a 7 string set. Seems to work fine. It's a really old Kramer. Stays in tune ok, and is playable.
 
zed32 said:
i have a guitar that i have designated to be used for drop tuning (basically Drop D -1 step). i know thats probably pretty damn lame, but hey i like to play some low-tune metal type stuff every once in a while. anyway, i was wondering if maybe i could take the guitar to a shop and get it set up for the dropped tuning? or will the guitar guy just laugh at me and tell me to never come back? the strings i'm using on it are .13-.56, is that gonna hurt the guitar (Schecter C1+)? i figured i would probably want a heavy string to compensate for the lower tension of the dropped tuning. any other suggestions?
Click to expand...


It sounds to me like you got it pretty well covered. Take it in for a setup, and you will be fine. If they laugh at you, don't go back to that shop, but they won't. It's their job to give the customer what you want and need.

We do that kind of stuff all the time. Just make sure you let them know how you want it tuned, and you will be all set.

Oh, and yes, you want heavier strings, and no, .013's will not hurt your guitar, not even if you DID tune it up to standard pitch.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
tom18222 said:
technically, you should setup your guitar every time you change your strings.
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Ahem.......bullshit. Unless you mean change the gauge of your strings, then I'll agree.
 
alright, youre gonna tell me playing your guitar for amonth, change your strings, and NOTHING is going to need adjustment? things go out of adjustment little by little.
 
tom18222 said:
alright, youre gonna tell me playing your guitar for amonth, change your strings, and NOTHING is going to need adjustment? things go out of adjustment little by little.
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Yes, I'm going to tell you that I could play six months worth of gigs, changing the strings every three nights, and not have an intonation problem.
 
tom18222 said:
alright, youre gonna tell me playing your guitar for amonth, change your strings, and NOTHING is going to need adjustment? things go out of adjustment little by little.
Click to expand...


What kind of POS guitars are you playing? Must be made out of pressboard and plastic. :D
 
tom18222 said:
alright, youre gonna tell me playing your guitar for amonth, change your strings, and NOTHING is going to need adjustment? things go out of adjustment little by little.
Click to expand...

Yes, I am going to tell you precisely that. A year, maybe, but not a month.
 
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