Drop A????

**rhoads56** · 25th June 2009, 04:16 AM

How is drop C different to standard B (which is lower) on a seven string guitar? Take the little E off the end, and its a BEADGB guitar, which is a lot lower than Drop C's CGCFAD.

Its funny how people view sevens, and string gauges, versus six's (tuned similarly). I come across this all the time. Just last week we did a setup on a seven tuned in BEADGBE for a guy, 10-56 set. Did a six for him as well, also tuned to BEADGB (so, same without the little E) using 10-70 GHS ZW set. He complained that the six was harder to play by the way. He only EVER plays rhythm, so no lead work, and no use of the plain strings really... I suggested using a seven string set, for the same feel, deleting the 10 gauge off the end. Loved it. Couldnt believe how great his guitar felt after we "worked our magic on it"

Remember, Ibanez sevens come standard with 52-56 gauge strings for the B (at 25.5" scale). If you tune UP from there to C, why do you "need" a 60?

There is a point where the strings become TOO fat, when down tuning, i reckon. They get to a certain thickness, then dont add anything more to the feel/tone by going thicker, but rather they subract. Of course, YMMV...

I hate anything lower than Drop D. In fact, Standard E is perfect for me!

**mongrel** · 25th June 2009, 11:47 AM

I remember reading an article, it may've been Australian guitar, where Slash says he hated downtuning even to e flat aka guns'n'roses.

Yeah, maybe I am being a bit judgemental as far as drop tuning is concerned (well it really detuned drop tuning, isn't it) but there are SO many people using lowered tuning to try and hide their bad playing techniques in a muddy wall of niose.

There becomes little or no distinction between bass and two guitars. Still, maybe I'm getting old

Dont get me worng, love Metallica when they chug along down low, but, hey, its Metallica, and they make just as many songs in standard tuning...

Hey perry, how low can you detune your multiscales before YOU arent happy with them (luthier as opposed to guitar player) I guess their bottom end is almost baritone??

**rhoads56** · 25th June 2009, 12:10 PM

The Multiscales (6 string) have a 27.5" (roughly) scale on the bass side. Most people are using 9-42/9-46 and tuning to E, Drop D, or D standard.

27.5" is the standard baritone scale length (if there is one), which is B standard.

So, they go down to B very nicely, if thats what people want. We just had a band use a six string Multi for Drop A tuning, and they used a 56 gauge.

And to answer your question... I like E standard. But, they are still tight in B, and I prefer 52 gauge for that tuning. The Eight string version at F# is way too low for me. Play bass if thats what you want

**mongrel** · 25th June 2009, 05:31 PM

OK, I think I'll work to D'addario EXL 145's they're not too fat, and still have a plain 3rd string. They are also fairly readily available here (you dont hear too much drop A in country music

)
The neck is quite straight unstrung so thats hopeful...
I'll set it upwith those strings and detune as I go... I am no doubt making a mountain out of a mole hill but I really haven't had a lot to do with such aggressive down-tuning. Although the guy from the shop that rang me reckons theres quite a few that ask for it, so maybe I need to find the sweet spot here for future reference.

**Andrew_B** · 25th June 2009, 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by rhoads56

I hate anything lower than Drop D. In fact, Standard E is perfect for me!

that makes two of us...

**rhoads56** · 25th June 2009, 10:09 PM

Originally Posted by Andrew_B

that makes two of us...

Ok, but only if you are the short guy

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWjbpABjDDA"]YouTube - AUSTIN POWERS DELUXE - Just The Two Of Us[/ame]

**mongrel** · 25th June 2009, 11:30 PM

Too much time on your hands Perry???

**Andrew_B** · 25th June 2009, 11:32 PM

LOL!

back to work Perry...

**rhoads56** · 26th June 2009, 12:48 AM

Nah, just got home, 9:45 tonight....

Its gunna be a big weekend... four guitars to finish before Monday night. Deadlines

**Andrew_B** · 26th June 2009, 02:11 AM

hahaha
mabe you do need a mini me.....

**floody_85** · 26th June 2009, 04:46 PM

hey dont you play alot of bullet and stuff andy? Thats basically all in C

**Andrew_B** · 26th June 2009, 07:17 PM

hmm yea i play a few bullet songs....

mainly, tears dont fall, the poison, all these things i hate...

i play alot of stuff that involves two guitars.... i play them as if they were being played with one guitar... so i change bits to fit *shrugs*
so you can say.... i play my version of that song

hence why i can get away with playing in E and drop D

only wanted to learn the solo from tears dont fall.... but ended up learning the lot lol

i play by ear by the way

**floody_85** · 27th June 2009, 05:41 PM

ahh so you prob play it heaps different to me. Hand of blood is an awesome song to play and scream aim fire

**Andrew_B** · 28th June 2009, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by floody_85

ahh so you prob play it heaps different to me. Hand of blood is an awesome song to play and scream aim fire

yep

scream aim fire isnt too bad....
some big pick slides in that one haha.... cool solo too

**tim290280** · 28th June 2009, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by mongrel

I mean this guy is tryig to do a lower than baritone tuning on a 25.5

Naw, I don't like to send anything out that I don't agree with. I mean it will be impossible to intonate, and deano's right: action will be able to drive a truch thru. I suspect that this kid (I haven't heard him play but I have my suspicions) is trying to dig the tuff sound out of his guitar by detuning rather than by playing.

Anyhow I think I'll fix it up to drop C with Zack Wylde Boomers and he can detune it as he likes. It needs replacement saddles, a new nut, fret job and - no doubt - a good trussrod adjustment. It'll cost him $250 with graphtech saddles and nut - assuming it doesn't need anything else. That should sober his aspirations to dropping to A.

Then I'll talk him into commissioning a 28.5 " baritone, or a 7 string... he he he aint I evil...

For the band Filter, Fender made a drop A tuned guitar. Might be worth having a look into what they did in terms of scale length and the like on theirs.

If he really wants that low A then he really is better off baritone or 7 string or a multi like Perry's cool stuff. Having a 7-stringer myself there is no comparison. I chucked some heavy gauge strings on my 25.5" scale guitar to play in standard B and it kinda worked. But I had to reset everything on the guitar and I messed up the nut. Plus you have to fiddle with your amp so that the low end doesn't break up the speaker.

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