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Acoustic Guitar Down Tuning

  • 13-04-2008 5:55pm
    #1
    Wayne SDS
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10 ✭


    Hi guy's

    I've a question about down tuning an acoustic guitar. Looking to get down to A# anyone how this is possible?

    Cheers


Comments

  • #2
    Holmer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 284 ✭✭Holmer


    Reckon it'd sound pretty weird Wayne, I'd say the strings will go slack cos that's what, 3 steps down? Strings might just go slack. 7 string guitar would probably be the only way to go methinks. Don't have a guitar to hand, want to try it out of curiosity now!


  • #3
    JuliusFranco
    Closed Accounts Posts: 437 ✭✭JuliusFranco


    on a nylon string classical guitar i tried to tune it down to an open B or C or something(based on a D chord, in the same way an open g is based on an a chord or an open d is based on a e chord) and then tuned the bottom string down another two steps, to get a fifth with the 5 string (if you catch my drift)

    basically, bottom string is tuned down 5 steps, 5th and 4th is down 3 steps, 3rd down 1, 2nd as is, 1st down 1

    this is from memory, it's a bit hazy, i might have had to tweak a bit after that, maybe adjust one or two strings a step either way to get it to sound what i was looking for (to play slide with - not sure what open chord it was)

    as i said, this worked with nylon strings


  • #4
    Wayne SDS
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10 ✭Wayne SDS


    Cheers Julius i think i get what you are saying, i'll have to try it out for sure ;-)

    Holmer i reckon i've tried what you are thinking with it going totally slack and unplayable.

    Im trying out a few different tuning's, all low, so if anyone has anything of interest let's hear it.

    Thanks


  • #5
    Sephiroth_dude
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 81,083 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sephiroth_dude


    Maybe Im Being a bit naive and stupid here,but could you not just use a tuner :confused:?


  • #6
    kawaii
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,327 ✭✭✭kawaii


    You'll need to put heavier gauge strings on it I think. Otherwise it'll just be too slack and it'll buzz off the fretboard like crazy. Ask in a guitar shop, as you'll need to get your guitar set up if you're changing the string gauge.

    Out of curiousity, why do you want to go all the way down there?


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  • #7
    Wayne SDS
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10 ✭Wayne SDS


    Yeah i was thinking i'd have to change to the heaviest gauge possible.

    Its more out of curiosity. Korn play in A or A# and in they all play acoustic's in their MTV unplugged session.


  • #8
    shatners basoon
    Closed Accounts Posts: 603 ✭✭✭shatners basoon


    Heavy strings and if you wanted to keep it that way you'd probably want to adjust the neck to sort out the tension problems. Famous acoustic virtuoso guitarist michael hedges used all sorts of crazy tunings but had various guitars set up for them otherwise you'll run into problems.


  • #9
    JuliusFranco
    Closed Accounts Posts: 437 ✭✭JuliusFranco


    shatners basoon wrote: »
    Heavy strings and if you wanted to keep it that way you'd probably want to adjust the neck to sort out the tension problems...

    to adjust the neck, is it just a matter of messing with an allen key or should i bring it to a shop??


  • #10
    kawaii
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,327 ✭✭✭kawaii


    JuliusFranco wrote: »
    to adjust the neck, is it just a matter of messing with an allen key or should i bring it to a shop??

    Definitely bring it to the shop unless you're certain you know what you're doing (which you aren't!). The truss rod, if misused, can cause the neck to warp permanently.


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