Question about drop tuning

[AniML]

Is it common for tone to get muddy in drop D or other drop tunings because of the slacked heavy string(s)? I've been messing around with drop D and it is getting really muddy for me.

I know that heavier strings can be a solution, but assuming I want to stay with my 10s...

How about using single coils instead of humbuckers, does that generally help?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Question about drop tuning

Is it common for tone to get muddy in drop D or other drop tunings because of the slacked heavy string(s)? I've been messing around with drop D and it is getting really muddy for me.

I know that heavier strings can be a solution, but assuming I want to stay with my 10s...

How about using single coils instead of humbuckers, does that generally help?

I play about half of my acoustic guitar songs with the E strings dropped to D. Open G is DGDGBD and and open D is DADF#AD.

But I never play my electric that way. To slack. To muddy.

It takes medium gauge strings like I use on my acoustic to get away with it, IMO.

 

[CGord]

Re: Question about drop tuning

Turn the gain down. You could try a set of 10-52's; the low 52 it's a little stiff for drop D, but I've used it. I use the 10-52's for drop C & my current tuning, CGCGCE.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Question about drop tuning

I use Daddario Phospher Bronze Mediums .013-.056 and personally, I couldn't stand anything much lighter than that for open tunings and dropped D tunings.

 

[CGord]

Re: Question about drop tuning

Yeah, everybody's different. Lots of guys use .056's or .058's for low B's, but I have to use a .064 to feel comfortable that low.

 

[Sporky McGuffin]

Re: Question about drop tuning

Heavier strings and/or longer scale length helps. The former is rather easier to do to a guitar you already own.

 

[SCOTT502]

Re: Question about drop tuning

Like CGord said....turn the gain down.