Can you leave a guitar tuned down?
- Thread starter Xandeeno
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Re: Can you leave a guitar tuned down?
If a proper setup is doable & done & set to equilibrium, it really doesnt matter
With a neck truss rod adjusted to high tension (higher tunings/heavier strings), hmmm... well, theoretically, you're SLIGHTLY promoting the dang thing to warp if you have fewer/lighter/untuned strings.
But really, most of the time? Nah. Ive strung up plenty of necks that have laid around unstrung and detached entirely, and still managed to get what I wamted from em
If a proper setup is doable & done & set to equilibrium, it really doesnt matter
With a neck truss rod adjusted to high tension (higher tunings/heavier strings), hmmm... well, theoretically, you're SLIGHTLY promoting the dang thing to warp if you have fewer/lighter/untuned strings.
But really, most of the time? Nah. Ive strung up plenty of necks that have laid around unstrung and detached entirely, and still managed to get what I wamted from em
Re: Can you leave a guitar tuned down?
PS if you go from E-standard to Drop-C on the same string gauge without touching the truss rod (and adjusting tremolo, if thus equipped), it's gonna play like crap... but should recover when you tune it back to E-standard, or install a heavier gauge... or, SOMETIMES, with just a setup
PS if you go from E-standard to Drop-C on the same string gauge without touching the truss rod (and adjusting tremolo, if thus equipped), it's gonna play like crap... but should recover when you tune it back to E-standard, or install a heavier gauge... or, SOMETIMES, with just a setup
Van Noord
New member
JMP/HBE
Well-known member
Re: Can you leave a guitar tuned down?
They build up your finger strength too.
I played 9.5 to .048 GHS Custom Lights for a decade, and before that GHS .009 to .046 for 30 years. Not much difference to the .056 in feel but the tone of the heavier strings bring it. I wont go back to wimpy strings.
They build up your finger strength too.
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Van Noord
New member
Re: Can you leave a guitar tuned down?
Feel aside a 56 tuned to e flat would sound like sh¡t imo. Bigger isn't always better. You may think you hear "big tone", I hear a flattened out, dull tone with no string flex or snap.
I use a 48 on the low e tuned to C#, and a 52 on the low e when tuned to C.
I've done the whole overly thick gauge than is necessary thing. Thought it made my tone bigger, fatter and more ballsy...when it actually killed my tone.
Its not about being wimpy or building strength. It's about tone. Anything that is very thick and extremely tight, sucks tone.
I gotta have that flexible tension contributing to my sound.
Feel aside a 56 tuned to e flat would sound like sh¡t imo. Bigger isn't always better. You may think you hear "big tone", I hear a flattened out, dull tone with no string flex or snap.
I use a 48 on the low e tuned to C#, and a 52 on the low e when tuned to C.
I've done the whole overly thick gauge than is necessary thing. Thought it made my tone bigger, fatter and more ballsy...when it actually killed my tone.
Its not about being wimpy or building strength. It's about tone. Anything that is very thick and extremely tight, sucks tone.
I gotta have that flexible tension contributing to my sound.
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Jacew
New member
Re: Can you leave a guitar tuned down?
I hate the wimpy tone and feel of plain strings with 9's. I use 10's with 49 E string, which I think is perfect.
How do you tune down to C with 48? I tried with 49 and it got unplayably slack, strings clashing the frets with ridiculous action.
I hate the wimpy tone and feel of plain strings with 9's. I use 10's with 49 E string, which I think is perfect.
How do you tune down to C with 48? I tried with 49 and it got unplayably slack, strings clashing the frets with ridiculous action.
Van Noord
New member
Re: Can you leave a guitar tuned down?
11-48 for drop d down a half step (C#G#C#F#A#D#)
11-52 for drop d down a whole step (CGCFAD)
Too light is too light, too heavy is too heavy.
11-48 for drop d down a half step (C#G#C#F#A#D#)
11-52 for drop d down a whole step (CGCFAD)
Too light is too light, too heavy is too heavy.
Re: Can you leave a guitar tuned down?
I'm assuming you are aware of the relatively common knowledge that people use anything from .008's to .013's in standard tuning. It only takes a small leap of logic and commonsense to go from the fact that nobody ever describes the huge range of tension at this tuning as 'damaging to a guitar' to deducing that the same change with detuning should not present any issue.
I'm assuming you are aware of the relatively common knowledge that people use anything from .008's to .013's in standard tuning. It only takes a small leap of logic and commonsense to go from the fact that nobody ever describes the huge range of tension at this tuning as 'damaging to a guitar' to deducing that the same change with detuning should not present any issue.
JMP/HBE
Well-known member
Re: Can you leave a guitar tuned down?
Your opinion bears no truth in my situation. My guitars sound Fantastic and all my friends could notice the difference as well. Thats the dumbest post ive heard you make yet.
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weepingminotaur
Well-known member
Re: Can you leave a guitar tuned down?
I use 11-52 (heavy bottom, medium top) for my standard guitar, and 12-56 for my E flat guitar, but I'm considering going back to 11-52 for the latter. The thick 56 is great for metal, but I'm not liking what the 12 is doing to my solo tone.
I use 11-52 (heavy bottom, medium top) for my standard guitar, and 12-56 for my E flat guitar, but I'm considering going back to 11-52 for the latter. The thick 56 is great for metal, but I'm not liking what the 12 is doing to my solo tone.
RorySquier
New member
Re: Can you leave a guitar tuned down?
I tune all my guitars to concert pitch (432 Hz).
;>)/
I tune all my guitars to concert pitch (432 Hz).
;>)/
Re: Can you leave a guitar tuned down?
Doesn't matter how it's tuned nor for how long if it is setup for that specific tuning/gauges.
Leaving a guitar tuned differently than it is setup for is never ideal, no matter if it's up or down-tuned.
The guitar's relief will tell you how much it's effecting, so learning to eyeball the relief is very handy, especially when a guitar just isn't feeling right or is buzzing when it normally doesn't.
Doesn't matter how it's tuned nor for how long if it is setup for that specific tuning/gauges.
Leaving a guitar tuned differently than it is setup for is never ideal, no matter if it's up or down-tuned.
The guitar's relief will tell you how much it's effecting, so learning to eyeball the relief is very handy, especially when a guitar just isn't feeling right or is buzzing when it normally doesn't.
