Help with off tunings

firebirdV

firebirdV

New member
There's a long list of good old blues songs that I believe I have the ability to play and would like to learn. The big problem is that they are all in these weird off tunings that are a step or so off any tunings I use. An example of an artist who seems to always be much sharper than me is Robert Johnson. I don't know whether this is because of the recording process, but he's always sharp. I could tune up if I got really light strings and wanted to risk pulling the top off my guitar, but I don't want to take that risk.

Any suggestions?
 
Re: Help with off tunings

Get the intervals right, then use a capo to get where you need to be. If he's like a quarter step sharp, you won't damage the guitar by tuning up, but if you're worried, tune down 3/4 of a step, then capo at the first fret.
 
Re: Help with off tunings

Thanks, I'll try that once I get a capo. My beef with capos is that whenever I've tried them, they've lowered the action to the point where it was difficult to play slide. They also tend to make long slides up the neck difficult because my guitar has no cutaway.
 
Re: Help with off tunings

Hmm.... I guess you should just go with really light strings. Most modern acoustic guitars have no problem with 13-56, so if you used 10s or 11s, you could easily tune up a bit. How far do you need to go?
 
Re: Help with off tunings

JB_From_Hell said:
Hmm.... I guess you should just go with really light strings. Most modern acoustic guitars have no problem with 13-56, so if you used 10s or 11s, you could easily tune up a bit. How far do you need to go?
Click to expand...

I might end up just using my really crapy acoustic and sticking 10s on like you suggested. At least I'd be able to try to play some of this stuff then.
idsnowdog said:
For electrics.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges...Hipshot_Trilogy_Bridges/Pictures.html#details
Click to expand...

Err. I don't think I could ever do that to a les paul.

Thanks
 
Re: Help with off tunings

I know where your coming from about odd tunings, they agravate me endlessly.
 
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