Tuning down

[Steve 65]

Ok, now I have 15 blues pedal suggestions to work my way through (and I'll get to it). How 'bout tuning down like SRV?
First...if I've just had my AL set up for normal tuning will I need to have it done again if I tune down?
Second... what is the advantage of tuning down? Who can give me the one paragraph guide ?

thanks guys...

 

[dfrady]

You may need to make a slight truss rod adjustment, when tuning down say 1/2 step or even a full step down, you are able to use a heavier gauge string and not have them eat your fingers up, and still have the bendability of the lighter gauge strings, the neck will play a little easier, plus depending on how far you tune it down you will get a much lower deeper tone. Just my 2 cents. Hope this helps !!!

 

[Steve 65]

Thanks for the advice.

 

[caucajun]

OOH! OOH! mr. kotter!............

i have an alternative to using heavier strangs and tuning down. .....

(a lil' background 1st)...i use 10's. i like the sound of 11's.....but they hurt ma fangurz...........

(the solution) .........i find i get a comparable (to 11's) sound by simply...........USING LIGHTER PICKS!

G-UH!!!!!

 

[kbaim]

I tune to DADGAD and Open G (DGDGBD) for a few originals and then back for most everything else. Takes a few minutes for the tuning to settle (fastest on fixed bridges) and stay.

If I kept the guitar in either of those tunings, I'd set the intonation and tighten the neck a hair, but since it's just dabbling in a few songs I don't bother.

 

[nobozos]

Tuning down a half step usually doesn't require any intonation adjustment. If you tune down a whole step, go one or two sizes up on your strings, say from 9s to 11s.

The advantage to tuning down for the most part is to allow a singer with a limited vocal range to be able to sing certian songs. Newer metal bands generally tune down to get a more bottom-endy sound.