Down tuning an accoustic?

[BloodRose]

This is probably a silly question, but I want to make sure.. I tune some of my electrics down half a step.. I Just restrung my accoustic. Even though its a high end guitar, to my ear it can sound alittle boxy at standard pitch, not to mention, difficult to play cuz I dont play it much and my digits are weak.. So, I tuned down half a step. I Like the tone much better and it's easier to play.. Is it ok to do that? I assume so, but the only reason I'm asking is I know they need a certain tension on the neck so the neck doesnt warp. And I certainly don't want to take any risks with it! If this is ok, Ill probably tune the 12 down too.
Not to mention, my voice is shot, so Im not able to hit highs like I used to, so the tuned down guitar fits my voice better as well.
Thanks for the input!

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Down tuning an accoustic?

This is probably a silly question, but I want to make sure.. I tune some of my electrics down half a step.. I Just restrung my accoustic. Even though its a high end guitar, to my ear it can sound alittle boxy at standard pitch, not to mention, difficult to play cuz I dont play it much and my digits are weak.. So, I tuned down half a step. I Like the tone much better and it's easier to play.. Is it ok to do that? I assume so, but the only reason I'm asking is I know they need a certain tension on the neck so the neck doesnt warp. And I certainly don't want to take any risks with it! If this is ok, Ill probably tune the 12 down too.
Not to mention, my voice is shot, so Im not able to hit highs like I used to, so the tuned down guitar fits my voice better as well.
Thanks for the input!

Yeah absolutely. I generally waver between E standard, drop D, double drop D, and open D. You may want to adjust the truss rod just a little, but you shouldn't really have issues.

 

[daenius]

Re: Down tuning an accoustic?

Absolutely OK! Steel string acoustics all have truss rods in them, just like electrics, so there's no reason the neck wouldn't hold up. Adjust that truss rod if you feel like the relief isn't enough or whatever, but that's personal preference.

The only issue you might have is if you detune it to something like C standard, you'll probably need to do something about the saddle because your intonation will start to go off, and acoustic saddles are not adjustable like electrics. Unless you go that far though, absolutely no issues.

Remember, Jimmy Page used to do all kinds of funny tunings for his acoustics

 

[Securb]

Re: Down tuning an accoustic?

You are fine buddy I play in D all the time on the acoustic it sounds so deep and full.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Down tuning an accoustic?

Yeah, it's fine. My acoustics are almost never in standard tuning. Almost always in DADF#AD or DGDGBD tuning.

Tommy Emmanuel detunes too. Not to an open chord but each string is lowered a whole step I believe: DGCFAD.

Detuning might cause your neck to be too straight or even create a reverse bow but that could be corrected by loosening the truss rod a bit...if need be.

But it probably won't create any issues at all.

Hasn't for me.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Down tuning an accoustic?

Different tunings are just like putting on different gauges of strings in the pressure the neck deals with. You will have to keep an eye on the guitar and make sure the action remains the way you like it.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Down tuning an accoustic?

I have mine tuned a full step down.

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Down tuning an accoustic?

Yeah it won't hurt anything. I put really light gauge strings on my acoustic. It sounded less boxy and it's easier to play.

As long as the action doesn't change drastically, your intonation will be fine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Down tuning an accoustic?

I have mine tuned a full step down.

D standard is money. Do you know the notes?

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Down tuning an accoustic?

This is what I figured, but didnt want to take the chance of damaging the guitar. REally love it with it dropped! Sounds better, plays easier.
Thanks for the responses!

 

[ChAoZ]

Re: Down tuning an accoustic?

I'm so metal even my classical guitar is in drop C# \m/ (><)\m/

 

[Aceman]

Re: Down tuning an accoustic?

We play all the acoustic tunes 1/2 down

I have never been able to figure out why 1/2 down is that much easier on the vocals though...It's like the highest chord is only, well 1/2 step down.

If the tune is in your range, it's in your range.