Question Tuning options??

[ozzyrules]

So the singer for my new band wants us to tune down a 1/2 step. No big deal, I've done it many times with other guitars. My hard tails are just fine without stepping up to 10's. Has anyone tuned down an Axis with 9's ? Should I use 10's on all of them as I'm tuning down a 1/2 step? Any considerations with the Floyd,(springs)etc.??Also, we "D" tune for some songs. So, C# for those.......
Remarks, please........

 

[FantasyMetal]

If the tremolo isn't floating then tuning down a half step with 9's shouldn't be a problem. If the trem is floating however, then you'll have to readjust the floyd. On my Axis tribute, I don't have to worry about it because the trem doesn't float, but I don't know about other Axis models.

 

[ozzyrules]

Nope, my Tribute & EVH are non-floating. I'm just worrying about the 9's being "too slinky" and losing tone.
Thanks for the response.

 

[Roubster]

I personally think 9s would be waaaaay too loose. I have my hardtail Y2D tuned down half step now and feel it being pretty loose...but not like rubber bands. I also tuned it down a whole step before to play Inferno by Symphony X...but that would require going up to 11s if I kept it that way. But if you are really used to 9s on your guitars, I dont think it will feel too loose half step down. Just try it and see.

You may need to back off the the trem claw a little bit though because it will be harder to do dives if you tune down.

 

[TSHOW]

Hey Ozzy, I guess you never listen to me.. you Knucklehead..Is it because I don't have a "JOB"? I told you I have been using 9's on my Pink Tribute and tuning down 1/2 step......for about 2 weeks and playing live with it. It works fine!!...If you would ever get your self out of your boats and planes and come watch a friend jam..you would know this answer!! Skins even knows this!!!

 

[bsteff666]

I've done the 1/2 step down tuning (with some songs drop D (C#)) in bands for years with my EVH's.

I did use 9's for this for quite a while years ago. They were very loose...but it didn't bother me much at all at the time.

Eventually I made the switch to 10's & never looked back.

In my opinion...the 10's feel better & sound better to me... Especially when you are chugging those drop D riffs. A lttle more string tension helps me play a little tighter & cleaner.

 

[panther_king]

I play almost exclusively down 1/2 step, and I prefer to run 10's, and step up to heavy bottom 10s on my guitar I use for drop D and heavier stuff for the extra tension.

 

[ScoobySteve]

It's personal preference. If it were hardtail I wouldn't mind. But on a term there won't be enough tension for my personal taste. I have big hands and I'm used to heavy gauges.

 

[TNT]

No problemo!!! 9-42 a half step to the south - dats' the way I'm set up all the time!!

 

[BrickGlass]

If you play 9's in standard tuning you may want to go to 10's 1/2 step down. Might feel more like 9's in standard so it won't feel too different for you. I've always just found it best to try different gauges and see which one I prefer. Guitar strings are pretty darn cheap so trying a few gauges out doesn't hurt the wallet much at all.

 

[ozzyrules]

Thanks to all(even you T-show). I guess T-show's a lot like my wife, I'm just not a good listener lately......

 

[TSHOW]

I guess I have taken on that more submissive, nagging role since I retired, Oh well........9's, 10's.....It's all Rock n Roll!!!!!!

 

[Warg Master]

I use 10s 1/2 step down.

 

[threeminutesboy]

I would say ....get a new singer

 

[fbecir]

The problem with light strings is that you can be out of tune when you fret some notes : if you apply too much pressure, you are out of tune.
My band plays in standard tuning, and I play with 10-52. The 52 string for the low E is for me the only option for the songs where we are in dropped D.
Perhaps 10-46 feels fine when you play, but try to record some songs : perhaps you will discover that you are slightly out of tune. Perhaps not a big deal for live playing but for recording it's a real problem.

 

[ozzyrules]

The problem with light strings is that you can be out of tune when you fret some notes : if you apply too much pressure, you are out of tune.
My band plays in standard tuning, and I play with 10-52. The 52 string for the low E is for me the only option for the songs where we are in dropped D.
Perhaps 10-46 feels fine when you play, but try to record some songs : perhaps you will discover that you are slightly out of tune. Perhaps not a big deal for live playing but for recording it's a real problem.

Thanks,
Very helpful..