Low tuned guitars

bfitz · Post by **bfitz** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 12:32 pm

Does anybody have any recommendations. im looking for a solid body guitar maybe of les paul shape that i can tune to C. i would love an lp but i think its probably out of my price range at the moment, has anyone played any of the yamaha sbg1000's or an eastwood gp or something i havent heard of in the same kind of style??

Hywel87 · Post by **Hywel87** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:20 pm

I tune to drop A sharp, I find the most important thing to keep in mind with downtuning is string tension, use nice beefy strings so that they don't feel floppy and slack, but don't go too beefy with C tuning otherwise you might warp your neck. You'll need to sort your intonation out too. I don't think it really matters what guitar you use, although a nice solidly constructed guitar like a LP wouldn't hurt, just try guitars. H

Le Chat Noir · Post by **Le Chat Noir** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:29 pm

Works with any guitar - just make sure you invest in some thicker strings

I play almost always in open D, have also tried open C, and I use 11s - would probably go higher if I were to make a habit of open C.

As Hywel says, any guitar will work really. Sounds fine with my LP, 335 and Tele - really depends what tone you're after. I'm guessing you like Josh Homme if you're looking at the Eastwood GP!

Queequeg · Post by **Queequeg** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 2:08 pm

*Any guitar that doesn't have a floating tremolo.

In Volition we tune to B-E-A-D-F#-B and I use a baritone guitar with GHS Zakk Wylde Boomers. String tension is paramount and works fine, I use a Yamaha AES820D6 ("Drop 6" baritone) and it is fantastic, sounds great and holds tune very very well.

And is reasonably priced. Mine is a custom one with a scarce paint job.

I will be getting a Fender Jaguar HH Baritone this year...

bfitz · Post by **bfitz** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 3:01 pm

yeah i like his sound but he keeps all his gear top secret so its hard to emulate. but i do like low tunes as i find it hard to sing in standard tunings they are just too high for my range so jammin out in C is much easier and way more fun. i have a strat and a tele, just the tele doesnt deliver the beefy tones im looking for so thats why i was lookin for a LP type guitar, but as u guys are sayin its more to do with the strings anyway. have any of you heard anything about reverend guitars?? i heard they are pretty cool but i dont know where i could test em here in ireland

vchizzle · Post by **vchizzle** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 3:58 pm

alot of metal players use these and tune down:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=512885
I don't like EMGs, but that could be changed.

Queequeg · Post by **Queequeg** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:00 pm

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by vchizzle
 alot of metal players use these and tune down:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=512885
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I would recommend the ESP Viper Baritone over that? Deopends what look you want.

But it has to be Baritone all the way for me.

screamingdaisy · Post by **screamingdaisy** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 9:16 pm

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by bfitz
 Does anybody have any recommendations. im looking for a solid body guitar maybe of les paul shape that i can tune to C. i would love an lp but i think its probably out of my price range at the moment, has anyone played any of the yamaha sbg1000's or an eastwood gp or something i havent heard of in the same kind of style??
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

SG.

I love Les Pauls but I find SGs downtune better. As mentioned, beef up your strings and consider a pickup swap since some pickups don't jive with detuning.

FWIW, I use a Strat for said purpose;

Tuned C#, GHS Boomers 13 to 70 (wound 3rd). EMG 81 in the bridge and 85 in the neck.

The EMGs are a left over of my Dual Rectifier days. Nothing cuts through gain and articulates like an 81, particularly when detuning. With an Orange however I'd probably look at something passive as the 81 will cut you like a razor without all that gain to thicken it up.

rrrajo · Post by **rrrajo** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 9:34 pm

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by vchizzle
 alot of metal players use these and tune down:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=512885
I don't like EMGs, but that could be changed.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

A few years ago, they made this model in a 26" scale option. Although out of Production, They still make them for Pros who want them.
If you can find one( made until 2005) , you will have a hell of a Guitar.

Otherwise , a Schecter C-1 W/26" scale is really nice for this Low Tuning. Strats are not bad with a 25 1/2", but the 26" really shines.

Gibson's 24 3/4" scale is too small, although many use them. I prefer the Longer scale that gives you that nice "Piano String" ring, so to speak.

Joey22 · Post by **Joey22** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 12:43 am

The guitar isn't a big issue, but just like others have said something like a les Paul would certainly help. Just get some bigger strings.

Jinskee · Post by **Jinskee** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 1:26 am

LTD's, ESP's.

But yeah, just get thicker gauged strings.

jojo68 · Post by **jojo68** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 2:21 am

I have an ESP LTD Viper 400, cheap and works GREAT for detuning

Queequeg · Post by **Queequeg** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 7:33 am

Without making your own strings I believe GHS Zakk Wylde Boomers are the heaviest gauge around. Thats what I use and they punish the fingers.

Allardson · Post by **Allardson** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:56 am

I really think you should wait for an LP
I didn't have money to buy some gibson i bought something else but regretted it as once as I tried a gibson
But some cool guitars are also the Hagstrom super swede, LP shape, sounds pretty good (specially with a bottleneck from what i've tried)

Allardson · Post by **Allardson** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:56 am

Yes because I gotta admit you don't have a gibson sustain on hagstrom, but depends what you wanna do

Low tuned guitars

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