Dream Theatre

[francric]

ok, in the FAQ's, if I remember correctly, it says that for each 1/2 step down you need to increase your string gauge. Do you guys actually do this or do you just tune down?

 

[slukather]

ok, in the FAQ's, if I remember correctly, it says that for each 1/2 step down you need to increase your string gauge. Do you guys actually do this or do you just tune down?

I just tune down, wheater l'm using 9-42's or 10-46's.

Scott.

 

[SteveB]

I wouldn't change string gauge just to tune down to E flat, or drop-D.

Anything lower, I would definitely look into a gauge increase. Especially if you play 9's to begin with, 'cause they'll be flappin' in the breeze when tuned to 'C'.

Again, watch the video with Petrucci. The first time he plays, he's not using the heavy set of 'not even slinky' strings, he's using a more 'normal' gauge but is still tuned way down.

P.S. Go back and change the title of this thread to "Dream Theater" not "Dream Theatre". I read somewhere (on the DT site?) that the '-re' spelling is a pet peeve of the guys in the that band.

 

[francric]

P.S. Go back and change the title of this thread to "Dream Theater" not "Dream Theatre". I read somewhere (on the DT site?) that the '-re' spelling is a pet peeve of the guys in the that band.

Done!!!!!!!

 

[francric]

What about the other way, if you had a seven? To much tension going up to 'C'?

 

[SteveB]

What about the other way, if you had a seven? To much tension going up to 'C'?

I don't have a 7 string, so my input is hypothetical.

When you think of all the stress on a guitar neck, with 7 strings pulling on it, heavy-gauge wires... I think I'd lighten my gauge if I tuned up more than 1/2 step from standard tuning. Just to give the poor neck some relief.

I claim no expertise in this area, though, so wait until someone qualified answers.