I just want to clarify that Hendrix tuned down to Eb because when he was playing with Velvetones, all the songs were in keys that suited brass better so F, Bb, Eb and tuning down to Eb made playing parts easier for those keys. After he left to do his own thing, he just kept doing it because it felt comfortable. He also played a lot in E standard.
@andbenitz
Жыл бұрын
But some people don't realize that there are a lot of Hendrix songs in standard tuning, it's not all half step down.
@123Ir0nman
Жыл бұрын
@@andbenitz yes
@AhrenField
Жыл бұрын
A bunch of those Hendrix shows like Isle of Wight he ends up in like Db standard. I think he just pulled it out of his case and tuned it to itself. Always just tuning by ear at those shows
@jperryfan
Жыл бұрын
Also for singing purposes as well
@axandio
Жыл бұрын
@@jperryfan And those crazy bends and dive bombs on the whammy
@kenmccawguitar
Жыл бұрын
I play guitar one handed (due to a stroke) and on my acoustics I use 13-56 tuned down to C which creates the ideal tension for my hammer on/pull off style
@Hevvvyyy
Жыл бұрын
C standard rocks, nice
@kingbrutusxxvi
Жыл бұрын
Very cool. I also like my acoustics at C. The way the low notes resonate it's so good for blues (slide, too).
@Human-hq3dy
Жыл бұрын
I love hearing how people overcome difficulties to continue playing, rock on man
@kenmccawguitar
Жыл бұрын
My favourite tuning is CGCCGC - I know it sounds a little odd but it’s surprisingly versatile when you take advantage of droning open strings.
@Hevvvyyy
Жыл бұрын
@@kingbrutusxxvithat's great, I only tuned to it because of qotsa and kyuss lol
@danoeb-g418
Жыл бұрын
Last October I was in an accident and ended up with nerve damage in my left (fretting) hand. Can't feel my left pinky and the ring finger is half asleep. Inspired by Joey Landreth I tuned to open D. It's now my favourite tuning and probably my main tuning from here on out. Once you figure out the open voiced chords it's super easy to play with only 3 fingers and the reduced string tension helps a lot
@CliffGraham
Жыл бұрын
Hold up, did @arielposen leave that band cuz they wouldn’t go low enough? (Pretty sure he does C std)
@danoeb-g418
Жыл бұрын
@@CliffGraham I think he mostly left because he started his own solo career. If I remember correctly Joey played mostly in open C, Ariel was in B or C standard, and the bass was BEAD tuning. But I could be wrong
@NiechoV
Жыл бұрын
I have nerve damage in my left (fretting) hand as well. I'm having surgery actually on Thursday to correct it if all goes well. I was just starting to learn and had to hold up til this was scheduled, so I am hoping to have sensation and strength again soon. Sadly, I don't know enough about it all to do different tunings. There's a whole new finger chart for chords for new tunings though, right? I know so little and am just starting over, plus I have a tendency to overthink, that it's making me think I have to learn a whole new fingering chart for chords for every tuning standard. :(
@ruvchbrevth
Жыл бұрын
I too was in a car accident and my fretting hand the left hand is pretty jacked up, I’ve been playing guitar since then and I’m going to try that. I do love some drop D, I just need to adjust to the tuning/notes. My ring and pinky fingers are a constant 8 out of 10 pain level, thanks for sharing.
@nedim_guitar
Жыл бұрын
@@ruvchbrevth The original comment said open D, not drop D. Open D gives other opportunities and flavor than the drop D. I hope you'll fully recover from your injury!
@armata6530
Жыл бұрын
I’ve been using D standard as my go to for a while now. Just can’t beat it.
@BobSince1981
Жыл бұрын
Same, it is wonderful.
@mikeloosen53
Жыл бұрын
it is a super sweeeeeeet zone fer a bunch o music!!!!!
@davedavem
Жыл бұрын
Yes! That's where it's at for me too. Occasionally drop from there to drop C.
@Mikey__R
Жыл бұрын
Do you guys use a capo when the band wants to play in E?
@armata6530
Жыл бұрын
@@davedavem same. When you wanna get heavy
@Jake28700
Жыл бұрын
Ever since Rhett made the D standard tuning video I still have my strat and jazzmaster tune in it. Absolutely love how they sound and I wouldn’t have done it without seeing the video
@Musicsports
Жыл бұрын
Hendrix tuned to D as well.
@IDriveAnAudi
Жыл бұрын
I’m on the verge of impulse buying a Jazzmaster. Maybe this is the push I need! 😀
@Jake28700
Жыл бұрын
@@IDriveAnAudi The Jazz master pickups in any lower tuning I think sounds great!
@doeboydavis7643
Жыл бұрын
same
@kapers5772
Жыл бұрын
I definitely like my strat tuned down. I think a very important reason why is the fact that it starts to produce a sound that we are not accustomed to hearing from our guitars. In my case I learned in e standard. Then I found out about Jimi and SRV and tuned down to eflat and it felt way cooler. Although after playing in e flat for years that became my standard, my brain got numb to it. Mean while I discovered drop D and that was the new cool thing because mt ears werent used to that sound. Since then I've tried all sorts of different tunings, d standard, c standard, even b standard, on the same strat and I feel like the same rule applies. Its just a matter of disturbing the norm and in a way surprising your ears and your brain. The same thing happens when I try open e or g or dadgad. Thats why we hear players saying if you are in a creative rut, switch it up by just changing your tuning. Once you do it you can discover a whole new world of sounds with the same instrument.
@nuthinbutlove
Жыл бұрын
Great synopsis 👍
@olredbeard420
Жыл бұрын
I just ordered a new Fender Strat from Sweetwater and had them plek it based on an Eb tuning setup with my chosen strings and I've never enjoyed playing a guitar more. So easy to play and it sounds so good! I just recieved it last night and I opened my youtube feed today to see this! Synchronicity at its finest.
@chickenaddict6128
Жыл бұрын
Lovely 😊
@James-eg3nf
Жыл бұрын
I learned something new - had no idea you could have a guitar pleked for a certain tuning. Does that mean the playability would be slightly off in E standard, or other, for example, open tunings?
@olredbeard420
Жыл бұрын
@@James-eg3nf Yeah, I only just found out when I was ordering this guitar. It does mean it will be just slightly off when you change the tuning. If you tune the guitar I just ordered to standard it would raise the action slightly because neck tension is increasing.
@olredbeard420
Жыл бұрын
@@James-eg3nf but if you set your guitar up (Plek'd or not) for a standard tuning and a really low action and then tune it down to a c standard it can create string buzz or dead strings
@olredbeard420
Жыл бұрын
@@James-eg3nf you ideally want to to set the guitar up for a specific tuning so that when it's in tune and at a specific string tension on that specific guitar body so that the neck is as straight as possible. You would do the same thing during a traditional guitar setup
@philipatoz
Жыл бұрын
To me, its astounding the genius of people like Leo Fender, whom back when only about 20 years had passed since the invention of electrics, got so much right and musical about the design of pickups - especially the angling of the single coil bridge pickups on the first Broadcaster / Teles. A lot of research, engineering and experimentation went into that - so now, with various tunings, string types / gauges, effects - amazing what is possible, tonally.
@xPBKM4x
Жыл бұрын
Lately I’ve been writing songs with one guitar in E standard and the other guitar in C# standard. They’re relative to each other (E major’s relative minor is C#) and it forces different voicings between guitars. It also creates a very good separation in the mix because of the different voicings. I like writing in C# and E standard together because it makes the guitars feel like totally different instruments.
@vaughnquinlan6722
Жыл бұрын
That's a cool trick! I play baritone (B standard) in my band to separate myself from the other guitarist in E, and to step on the bass players toes. It's a lot of fun.
@chzzyg2698
Жыл бұрын
Sounds like a cool recipe to implement a baritone guitar for a dynamic between bass and lead.
@sohamsarker
Жыл бұрын
I'm a guitarist but man that bass sounded so good. Imo bass doesn't get the respect that it deserves.😍😍😍😍
@egisshield
Жыл бұрын
Davie504 has entered chat
@saedt
Жыл бұрын
A P-Bass’s sound is so great
@rhodesjazz
7 ай бұрын
The bass should have tuned down to Eb as well. Down tuning gives a bass a thick meaty tone without added effects. Try it. You will be surprised.
@davi1
4 ай бұрын
distortion sounds lousy on bass for me
@davidoreilly7328
2 ай бұрын
Everyone loves guitar. But if the bass isn’t there, it’s obvious that something is missing
@emmiejo1
Жыл бұрын
I use drop tunings all the time. My favorites are D and C. The DigiTech Drop pedal is nice to have as well. My baritone is also useful.
@thedaver8
Жыл бұрын
I would like to hear you do this the other way around. Play a low tuning and THEN play a standard tuning. I think the experiment itself tends to favor whatever you play NEXT. And I think playing standard tuning after would also sound "better"
@nuthinbutlove
Жыл бұрын
I don't know whether or not it would sound "better" but I would love to hear him playing the same thing in both tunings for comparison. My issue is that in these comparison vids he seldom plays the same chords and licks but more "plays around" so it's hard to tell how one actually compares to the other.
@grapejuice2589
Жыл бұрын
That's silly just watch it from the last example to the first
@sinjon
Жыл бұрын
@@nuthinbutloveI agree. These comparisons while playing different licks on each tuning/amp/guitar/etc is silly. We’re only going by what the person making the video says and taking it at face value rather than making up our own mind
@nuthinbutlove
Жыл бұрын
@@sinjon right!
@allenmitchell09
Жыл бұрын
The lower the cooler 😎
@v.harlot
Жыл бұрын
I love Eb and C#, been playing Eb for a few years and now I feel like C# has grown on me. P-90s sound fantastic with it. Really enjoyed the video, too. I'd love to watch some more stuff like this, it's pretty inspiring
@TheSkooterbords
Жыл бұрын
For the specific track that you jam, I think Eb sounds the best. Alternate tunings, even those that are just lower than normal DOES actually change your playing. I've been stuck on rut for years. But when I changed one of my guitars to baritone tuning, I, suddenly felt inspired to play again.
@insanetubegain
Жыл бұрын
I don't play metal, but about ten years ago I played my friend's guitar that was tuned down a whole step to D because he plays metal, and I've been tuning my guitar that way every since. Never owned a capo until then, now it a standard component in my case.
@davedavem
Жыл бұрын
Interesting that Hendrix and SRV both favoured Eb, yet their choice of string gauge was vastly different.
@russellzauner
Жыл бұрын
That's also proven to me again that string gauge isn't the gatekeeper of tone.
@JoaoGabriel-lz3wp
Жыл бұрын
@@russellzauner but their tones were different 🤨
@jlynnb1
Жыл бұрын
Styles were wildly different, as far as how they played what they played. SRV played so heavy handed and aggressively he needed 13’s to hold up to the abuse.
@uno1industries
Жыл бұрын
@@JoaoGabriel-lz3wpHendrix played with a good amount of effects and Marshall amps. They both played loud as fuck, I doubt you’d hear a tonal difference in the string gauges
@JoaoGabriel-lz3wp
Жыл бұрын
@@uno1industries yes. It does not make sense to compare them in this case
@renebauch9316
Жыл бұрын
Originally i'm from the metal side of the universe with a jazz influence and the love for classical guitar. The jazz influence became bigger over the years but, what kept the same was my love for the 8 string guitar. Regarding the lower tunings, it is really fun to play around with it altough, i have to say it's quite hard to get chord voicings out of the low F# that suits the situation, beside metal and Ambiente. People should be more open to different tunings and strings on the guitar. Btw. Great video from you
@organicchime1263
Жыл бұрын
When you drop to D you are also reducing the string tension on the neck which lowers the action. The strings get closer to the pickups which increases output. It’s always a good idea to lower the pickups slightly when you do this so that it doesn’t affect your sustain. When you do that you will really hear and feel a difference in the guitar:)
@SlimeyGuitarStrings
Жыл бұрын
I believe the amplitude of a vibrating string is also higher when it's at lower tension, so you actually need a tiny bit more bow in the neck so the strings aren't hitting the frets.
@organicchime1263
Жыл бұрын
@@SlimeyGuitarStrings yes, you can do that as well upon inspection of the neck. The gauge of strings can determine how much tension there is as well. The neck radius can also play into the equation. Bottom line though is if you like how it plays and feels, that’s all that matters:). You definitely don’t want pickups that are too high such that they pull against that string vibration and kill the sustain.
@WatchfulHunter
Жыл бұрын
Aaaah C baby! So sweet! Practicing guitar used to be work. Now it is a joy limited only by my finger endurance. Rythm is everything.
@stevennapodano4289
Жыл бұрын
I started tuning my 12 string down 1/2 step a few years ago. I liked the sound so much I have just about all my guitars (acoustic and electric) 1/2 step down.
@vogangabor25
Жыл бұрын
Always been a huge fan of lower tunings for other styles aside from metal. I started playing super low because of bands like Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age and Electric Wizard but tuning down really can bring so many different timbres and harmonics out of a guitar that were never there in a higher tuning. It completely changes the way you attack and approach the guitar and it isn't something that can be replicated using a pedal that artificially changes your tuning. You're not getting the physical changes in the instrument that change the way the strings vibrate over your pickups and the way the strings bounce when you attack them. It just feels like the instrument is "breathing" more if that makes any sense. Harmonics and overtones jump out at you a lot more and thus changes your approach. Playing a guitar in C Standard through a big clean amp with some P90s or low output humbuckers with some reverb is one of the coolest and most unique sounds I've been able to conjure. I'm not normally one to comment on videos but this is something I've always been a huge proponent of and love when you touch on this topic or talk about lower tunings.
@Hevvvyyy
Жыл бұрын
Yupp, was looking for someone to mention queens, they're great. For example Song for the deaf has a killer chorus with some open strings (b,e) and it sounds damn good
@dmccrary1974
4 ай бұрын
You describing the vibration over the bridge pickup was an excellent breakdown 👌
@jacobwatson5264
Жыл бұрын
I’ve kept my acoustic half step down for the past six months now and it sounds really good. When I want standard I just capo.
@johngraves2185
Жыл бұрын
I’ve been playing Eb for decades and love it, but if I was a blues player, D standard might be my jam. Then I might have to pay drop C on the low E and that would cover a lot of ground for me. Nice demo!
@DaveWalshMusic
Жыл бұрын
I started playing in eb full time last year to help my voice get through the busy gig season. Strings also last longer a half step down imo.
@rcannonp
Жыл бұрын
It would be interesting to hear this with other guitars. I tuned my Telecaster to Eb, but ended up going back to E standard because it didn’t sound right. I love my Martin dread in D, though.
@duanekogut757
Жыл бұрын
Yes. Oddly i feel like my Tele sounds good in D, but not Eb?
@treshull
Жыл бұрын
I’d like to see this same experiment with Gibson scale length/humbucking guitars and see what happens with clean sounds.
@leokoehne
Жыл бұрын
I was ready to argue but at the end I agree. It’s all about strings tension lower and more facilitated bends and vibrato
@trevorford8702
Жыл бұрын
Low tunings absolutely thrive on single coil guitars, cause they maintain clarity in the low-end if they have good pickups. PAFs usually already have a darker sound, unless it’s like the Lollar El Rayo or something voiced like that.
@IDriveAnAudi
Жыл бұрын
Tried this with my strats and a tele today. I’m digging the vibe with everything tuned down 1/2 step.
@timeconsumer325
Жыл бұрын
I love D standard for a fender scale length guitar. I also keep an inexpensive takamine acoustic in D standard to compensate for the fact that I've never been able to set it up all that well. It's always sounded good and now it's much easier to play AND sing with.
@jeffanderson8384
Жыл бұрын
I've got an old Washburn acoustic MIJ Festival (great guitar!). Loves D standard tuning, strung with light gauge strings. Sounds great and reduces stress on this cherished guitar.
@segueoyuri
Жыл бұрын
I had the opposite experience with my Epiphone in Eb. The B string never tunes properly unless it's in E standard lol
@timeconsumer325
Жыл бұрын
@@segueoyuri definitely depends on the guitar!
@jeffanderson8384
Жыл бұрын
@@segueoyuri Certainly depends on the guitar. My Larrivee ONLY plays in standard. Anything else and it sounds awful.
@segueoyuri
Жыл бұрын
@@timeconsumer325 it sure does. I guess it's easier on electrics because with most bridges you can intonate each string individually (the intonation changes with different tunings), while on acoustics you have a "static" bridge so it sorta is what it is. I was just trying to make it easier on the neck with the lower tuning, didn't work as expected lol
@mike__durrett
Жыл бұрын
It's really rad to see you guys testing this stuff out. I write and play metal and my current favorite 6 string tuning is AGCFAD. You get really interesting standard tuning play between the A and G since the octave is between those two, not the first and third.
@LxE9799
Жыл бұрын
I use that tuning in my band too! High five. It's awesome for a sludge/death/black hybrid sound.
@haj_endot
Жыл бұрын
i end up playing in c and a# a lot, because i like the tones you can get with that as a base and a lot of effects stacked on top. listening to boris really opened my ears to what you can do with super low tunings.
@chinmeysway
Жыл бұрын
Yessssss Boris!!!
@russiangoose7053
Жыл бұрын
I love the way a Gibson scale guitar sounds and feels in C standard with a bit heavier strings. It's still a bit slinky but dark and thick sounding. I think it's especially great into something like an old marshall cranked up, not high gain but just loud and driven. It's just perfect to me
@ianstawarz7776
Жыл бұрын
John Fogerty's D standard guitar sounds amazing. Gives CCR's songs a unique sound for sure
@Boog-pv2qy
Жыл бұрын
Absolutely. In the 80's, Motley Crue also used D tuning. Wildside, Girls, Feelgood... It gave them a down & dirty sound and helped set them apart sonically.
@sinocte
Жыл бұрын
I knew I was getting a swamp rock vibe from the lower tunings, but couldn't figure out why. Saw this comment, went and listened to Born on the Bayou and was like "Oh yeah... that's the stuff right there"
@neal_laugman
Жыл бұрын
@@sinocteSwamp Rock - I love it! Never heard that before. 😁
@ChrisJustice
Жыл бұрын
What an excellent video Rhett! Well done!
@NehemiahHughes
Жыл бұрын
D-Standard (DGCFAd) is a great tuning for guitarist. You can transpose along with the band on the fly with a capo to move up in key (Open-D std, Capo 1-Eb, Capo 2-E std…etc.) or you can move down in key within reason, with drop tunings (Open - Drop C, Capo 1 - Drop C#, Capo 2 - Drop D). Lots of flexibility, especially if you play gospel or worship music.
@carlparna
Жыл бұрын
thanks for reminding me! i m busking saturday and sunday on my strat....just tested it and sounds great! and warmer!
@uhoh007
6 ай бұрын
I'm 66....and you just changed my life. I know what to do with my quiver of cheap guitars. I don't need a baritone. I can buy less Rev Willys, too. Already I was tuning lower on some instruments, Lute as low as 410hz. The simple mellow jam is also nice inspiration, as my background is keyboards, and reeds. I got a cheap bass....the strings cost more than the guitar. Very cool video for me.
@stratman1192
Жыл бұрын
Eye-opening (ear) post. I have not previously heard such a succinct discussion and illustration of these tuning possibilities. Well done, great coverage of some new ground (at least for me)!
@rybo0072
3 ай бұрын
I have a 30 inch scale jazzmaster tuned down to drop E and conpared to my drop usual drop C tuning it completely changes how you want to play the instrument and the tone completely alters which is so damn cool and the wierd thing ive noticed the lower you go into extended ranges youll find single coils are the way to go for more clarity which is wild considering im a metal player which is mostly known for humbuckers.
@birdybutch
Жыл бұрын
i use 007 strings tuned down 1 step. it`s very light and very nice to play. have some hand problems anyway - try low and 007 or 008 strings.
@stephenmiller5023
Жыл бұрын
Nice T-shirt Rhett👍. Old Norman Harris is “ The Man” when it comes to having some killer old guitars . As I live here on West coast in San Diego his shop is like a “ Candy store for Adults “ & is only a couple hours north of me in Reseda up in L.A. Enjoyed this video here very much , thanks 👍. I’ve always tuned my Strat ‘s down 1/2 a step . Trying different tunings is fun & can really open some new musical doors . 😊
@TheDrunkenScoundrel
Жыл бұрын
I was in the Guitar Center I West LA and they had a used Danelectro baritone that someone had put 10s on and tuned to E-standard....that was a seriously cool feeling and sound.
@Akapickles
Жыл бұрын
And here I am wanting a tenor guitar or octave mandolin. I play in a group with piano, bass , and keys. The low end is all taken up, so I am trying to find different ways to cut through. I’ve even been looking at modifying an 8 string acoustic to be strung in 4 courses being tuned ADGB.
@rockstardr
Жыл бұрын
I tuned my G&L Comanche down to D standard after watching this and I love it! I'll have to reset my trem and maybe heavier strings....
@TheSkooterbords
Жыл бұрын
That camera analogy with the pickups is so insightful.
@davedavem
Жыл бұрын
On the pickup position chat, it's "nodes" not "modes". The nodes are where the waveform passes through zero: -〰️ When you tune down, the nodes still sit in the same places because the scale length isn't changing, but for a given note, the pattern of nodes is shifted: in D standard, the "D" nodes are where the "E" nodes are in E standard. So playing in E with the guitar tuned down sounds different to playing in E in E standard.
@jpizzleforizzle
Жыл бұрын
Always preferred a range of Eb to Db standard because it fits my vocal range better. The string tension and slight tone change are side benefits.
@macsarcule
Жыл бұрын
Down-tuning a strat definitely helps tame that ice picky bridge pickup. The bass player here is a serious pro, he’s killin’ it!
@josephvega3763
Жыл бұрын
I've kept one of my guitars in d standard for about 2 years now because of the old video. Awesome tunning
@flatroc1
Жыл бұрын
Wow. why has nobody ever told me this before. I'm diggin' it. Thanks
@nicgundy
Жыл бұрын
I spent lots of time in high school getting familiar with alternate/low tunings . Its my advice for anyone who’s got the basics down to apply those to other tunings & inspirations will come your way
@R3TR0R4V3
Жыл бұрын
Lower tunings are a lot of fun! B is about as low as I care to go, but I love me some C for some Queens of the Stone Age vibes. 😎
@komobabo
Жыл бұрын
I recently dropped my Tele to drop Db and it sounds really cool. I am working on some heavier pop-punk/easycore stuff so that made sense. I might just end up leaving it between there and Eb standard for when I play at my local church.
@gcvrsa
Жыл бұрын
For the past few years, I've been tuning some of my guitars to A Standard (ADGCEA), five semitones above E Standard, but recently I started thinking about going the other direction, and tuning to D Standard, both for guitar and bass. I plan to increase my string gauge; normally, I use .010 gauge on a 24.75" scale length, but I will probably go up to .011 gauge, because I do want to maintain the tension to which I am accustomed. I do this primarily because I have a low voice, and it helps me with transposing songs. When tuned to A Standard, I use .008 gauge strings, which end up about the same tension as .010 gauge in E standard. I can play the "normal" chord shapes, and the guitar will play a perfect fourth above, while I can sing a perfect fifth lower than the original melody, and be in tune with my instrument. However, .008s are prone to breakage, especially on scale lengths longer than 24.75". I'd like to acquire a 24" or 22.72" scale instrument, but my choices in those scale lengths are limited, so I thought of going the other way, and tuning down a whole step to D Standard, instead, which would mean I could use any standard scale guitar or bass easily, although I will have to have the nuts on my guitars and basses recut for the thicker strings.
@JoeDread316
Жыл бұрын
I think singlecoil pickups sound better in lower tunings. When I had a strat I usually had it in D standard/drop C.
@georgealfredcordeiro
Жыл бұрын
I watch, enjoy and learn from all of your videos Rhett. -I've used C # in the bass with standard tuning and playing in the key of E for a long time and have written with that tuning. On electric. I had the honor of playing with Eric Bibb in concert, and backstage he hipped me wise to the fact that he tunes to D Standard. It's nice when one guitar is tuned that way and the other player is in standard and the different colors derived. Because we play shapes and guitarists love open string shapes it sounded great with him in D standard and me in E Standard. -Your new course is what I've been looking for, having played in tunings, etc but always searching scale wise. And, just dwelling perhaps in one or 2 tunings. KZitem and books help but they are scattered whereas this looks like an encyclopedia. Thanks! -
@BobPerrone
Жыл бұрын
I settled on D a couple of years ago on my acoustics. Even there the tone changed. Eb works great on my Jazzmaster and Tele.
@matt926uk1
Жыл бұрын
i generally like the feel and sound of 9-42 in standard on a strat so when i go lower i try to find that same tension so 10-46 in eb and 11-48 in d standard feels good
@hunterjessup
Жыл бұрын
There’s so many songs that have been written in standard tuning, it’s nearly impossible to hear an open cowboy chord or progression without your brain instantly recognizing countless songs from the past that sound similar. Tuning out of standard introduces your ear to progressions in new keys and new trails that haven’t been so nicely paved before you.
@harshtruth9148
Жыл бұрын
I have my strat with 10-52 in D standard....perfect set up.....I have others same strings C# standard, and a few in Drop tunings B, D
@Matthordika
Жыл бұрын
Here's what I wonder though. Is the preference for lower tunings simply a matter of being so used to E Standard, that the change up in of itself is enough to make it seem "better?" When something is so common and a regular part of everyday life, you can become dull to it. Like if you eat an apple for lunch every day, but one day you run out of apples and have to resort to an orange, that orange is going to be a lot more exciting and fresh. In fact, you may even believe the orange is the superior fruit. Now of course, its all subjective, but I do have to wonder if that applies here. Just, food for thought.
@mikkejohansson
Жыл бұрын
I feel like I agree with your notion. I feel sort of the same "energy" from an up-tuned guitar, say to F. Like some of The Smiths songs, or playing with a capo. But I also agree that lower tuning sounds and feels "better". What ever that means. :)
@younken24films
Жыл бұрын
Wow, for some unknown reason I tuned my Strat down to D a couple of weeks ago and instantly fell in love with how it felt and sounded! I'm thinking I will keep it there. I tuned down to Eb for many years in my power trio days and my bass player would tune down also. When sitting in with others in standard tuning it was a PITA. But D tuning will be easier for me to instantly transpose when playing with folks in standard tuning.
@HandlebarWorkshops
Жыл бұрын
I had an acoustic that I thought sounded too bright. I tuned it to Eb standard and thought it really opened up the sound. So I recorded a song using a capo on the first fret (essentially E standard), then re-tuned my guitar to E standard and recorded the same song. Playing them at the same time and alternating between the two, I couldn't hear a difference. They sounded exactly the same. I'd been fooling myself. To really test, record a song in E standard, then tune down to Eb standard and record the same song with everything else the same. Let someone rename the two files so that you don't know which is which and see how well you can tell the difference.
@kurtshirvinski836
Жыл бұрын
I mostly play metal in Drop A# but I love playing our softer stuff as well as my indie/soft rock side project in C or C# Standard. It's low enough to add fullness and depth without turning to mush
@splashesin8
Жыл бұрын
I kept mine tuned down one whole step for a few years. It was handy for quick changing to three other tunings. I finally put it back in ordinary tuning sometime during the pandemic, trying to just give myself some other real estate to have fun with, and get my muscle memory for space more standard. I can't really look, and so far haven't put anything along the back of the neck, to line me up quick. l just like the smoothness of my neck.
@splashesin8
Жыл бұрын
If I had another couple of guitars I would want to keep one always tuned down to D, and one always with the nashville strings.
@MichaelEMJAYARE
Жыл бұрын
Those tone in both the bass and guitar was fucking juicy. Both sounded amazing.
@thebrysmith3
Жыл бұрын
So after watching, I grabbed my G&L Tribute Fallout and rolled it back to D Standard. Can't say that worked for me. Maybe with 11 or 12's. So I went up a half and now THAT'S where it's gonna live! It really gave the neck P90 something to say.
@davedavem
Жыл бұрын
Super interesting! I'm addicted to D standard myself. Just picked up your alt tunings course. Thanks!
@kennethnick3213
Жыл бұрын
I Tuned an acoustic guitar down to C Because the strings were hurting my fingers and i figured it would ease the tension and be easier to play. Not only was it easier to play, but i liked the sound of it. I didn't realize how common it was for people to do that. Later i went and bought light strings for my acoustic and 9s for my electric just cuz 9s were the only gauge i hadn't tried yet. The 9s feel great in E standard. Then i put it in D natural and wow i love it. It's super slinky. 10s might be better for D natural, but I'll probably keep 9s on for awhile. Feels like water
@Fallub
Жыл бұрын
Great video. That bass tone was amazing btw.
@yannamengual2777
Жыл бұрын
I love C# standard with 11-52 strings on SG guitars. It's slinky but feels great for bending ease. You know it is great for that stuff, qyou know that band from Birmingham, UK, can't remember the name, anyway. For Strats, E flat is great with 9 to 42, some much fun with 7,5" neck radius, and also 9,5". "Timbre" is the Word !
@Rockin_Rocco
Жыл бұрын
this is awesome! when i tune down my 71 tele it sounds so good. people never talk about teles tuned down though.
@richstarboard3195
Жыл бұрын
I recently went from 10 gauge to 8 gauge due to a hand operation. I noticed the same effect on my strat as to tuning down.
@SamBrockmann
Жыл бұрын
I am not a fan of downtuning my guitars. But I am a fan of lower tunings. "THAT MAKES NO SENSE, SAM!" Well, I have a 7-string guitar. I don't like lowering it to Drop A or otherwise lowering things. But I love having an extra 5 low notes. I love the power added to chords with that extra low note, when I want it. My daughter (who is 7) listened to Yvette Young, and we tuned daughter's guitar to a tuning similar to Ms. Young's. FACGCE, or "Open Fmaj9". Lowering D to C and raising B to C, E to F was just what sounded cool to us.
@socialclubmusic_
Жыл бұрын
That open fmaj9 is beautiful ! I've heard it called Midwest emo , but the way Yvette Young uses it is savant like and almost ethereal !
@SamBrockmann
Жыл бұрын
@@socialclubmusic_ , absolutely.
@mikegray-ehnert3238
Жыл бұрын
I believe it is Paul Winter who said that nature and the universe is in D flat minor. Perhaps as you tune lower you get to sound that you recognize from the world around you.
@HollywoodRecordingStudio
Жыл бұрын
Love this video. I set up my Strat to Eb and a Gretsch 5220 to D - doing this made each guitar easier to bend, and more importantly, the tone felt very rich. On the Gretsch I used 11’s.
@Campo007
Жыл бұрын
I’m a bass player in a band that tunes down to C Standard. For me there were two things I had to fight. Being tuned so low, the bass sounds dull. So I have to play with some sort of overdrive always on to cut through. Also no matter what 34” scale bass I played with super heavy strings, they seemed to never sound right. Moved over to a Dingwall 4 string with lighter strings and POW! Absolutely glorious.
@SandauxBeats
Жыл бұрын
This video was very timely. I just had my Squier Jazzmaster Vintage Modified returned to me from my guitar tech. It now has an 11-50 D'Addario Jazz Light Flat Wound strings! I agree. E flat is the way, the truth and the life for 10s and 11s. 9s is for E standard, in my opinion.
@needsLITHIUM
Жыл бұрын
Tony Iommi also used to tune down due to his factory worker injuries (he was missing parts of his finger tips and finger tip bones in his fretting hand) and using finger caps (like those used by children, or those with Diabetes) plus tuning down helped him still be able to play. He often shifted up and played things in E standard pitch ranges, with the bass tuned to E standard, as well. He would play in B standard, essentially baritone tuning, and then just play up on the "A string" since in that tuning, that's now an E.
@tarkenton3895
Жыл бұрын
Where it gets really interesting is open tunings that aren't just your regular open major tuning but down lower. I tune as standard to varieties of DADGad but down in B or A (on a 7 string with an extra high string above the tuning). Granted, I'm a metal dude but for the more vibey stuff I like doing, it's real nice.
@car_has_crashed
Жыл бұрын
For Monuments stuff huh?
@philipwacker4629
Жыл бұрын
This is the second video by you I've seen; I just stumbled across your channel. It's facts all the way so far. Cheers.
@3J_Music
Жыл бұрын
I've played primarily in Eb for many years. Definitely agree that a strat sounds better 1/2 step down
@jessegreco8855
Жыл бұрын
Awesome video. I’ll be trying D out on my new Les Paul ASAP.
@Zorakirr
Жыл бұрын
I have a few slightly faulty acoustic guitars that can only be set up to D standard with comfortable string height and I love them.
@stratotele12
Жыл бұрын
I agree that the tone seems change with less string tension. Remember the string gauge video you did with Beato? 9s sounded way better than 10s. Maybe it's also finding the right gauge for each tuning.
@bolillo5013
Жыл бұрын
I like low tunings, but I also play metal so… Also, this video feels like a great follow-up to that one you made years ago.
@wideskyguitars
Жыл бұрын
Id be really interested to hear how a "Gibson" scale lengthed guitar would hold up in this test too.
@mark.guitar
Жыл бұрын
I have arthritis and I have tuned down a tone to be able to use my "full size" (mostly 650mm) guitars. I have built two electrics with 590mm scale length to play in E and am building a baritone at 660mm. The low string tension gives a much more fluid sound and every movement of your fingers, even the mistakes, affects the tone.
@chrisstratton987
Жыл бұрын
R, I was painting my kitchen ...and not really paying attention to the upload until you got to the C# vamp. My ear said stop everything you're doing and listen to this brother preach on guitar! TY for the sermon.
@louaguado995
Жыл бұрын
7 years ago I joined a blues band. All the Trower, Hendrix, and S.R.V. songs we played were in e flat. I've gotten so used to it that standard tuning sounds weird to me now. I left that band and now I tune down to D standard. Sounds great with single coils, p90's, and it helps acoustics sound fuller too.
@tylerlansing2035
Жыл бұрын
8:39 📸 Ladies and gentlemen, we got him.
@kbwerx
Жыл бұрын
D is my sweet spot both on electric and acoustic, both in standard and varied open tuning.
@viniciuscomacento
Жыл бұрын
E flat sounded amazing! C# as well but I get what you're saying that it starts to "fight" the bass. D very nice as well. For me it's crazy they all sounded best than E standard.
@randygomez9595
Жыл бұрын
There's a lot to unpack here, but I'll just say a few things: If the lower string tension with lower tunings is what's created the video you like with lower tunings, then could you not get that same vibe with really light guage strings in standard E tuning? Alternatively, would heavy guage strings to keep the tension high with lower tunings negate that vibe? Also, as you changed tunings you were also changing keys. Remember that different keys have different vibes to them. Perhaps the vibe you liked with Eb tuning wasn't because you tuned your guitar down a half step, but because you went from the key of E to the key Eb regardless of how your instrument was tuned. Perhaps a more conclusive (and certainly more laborious) experiment would be to change your string guages with each tuning to keep the string tension the same across all tunings, and play the same song in the same key across all tunings. Then see if the different tunings sound different.
@ToneDeth.
Жыл бұрын
I like tuning down to C# but keeping a real light string gauge. Like 9s. Worked for Tony Iomi. People think the tension is too loose but i think its fine. Just need a real light touch as it is easy to fret things sharp.
@kingbrutusxxvi
Жыл бұрын
I spent years (decades) as a rock/metal player and always tuned standard or a half step down. As I've gotten older my playing turned more bluesy and melodic and my ear just tends to prefer lower tunings. I now keep my electrics at C# or D and my acoustics at C or C#. Of course, after 40 years of loud, high gain amps my hearing might also be going. 😉
@xdoctorblindx
Жыл бұрын
It would be good to get a side by side comparison of the same riff in the same key but with the guitar tuned differently.
@randomlyrancannabis7020
Жыл бұрын
If you change the tuning you are changing the key.
@JamesVanD
Жыл бұрын
While what you said is definitely true, i think the majority of the effect you're feeling/hearing is from being outside a "default" key you're used to hearing. That is, a similar effect could be had by playing with a capo in higher tunings. Its all good though. We should get out of the standard range. Play with a capo, play alt tunings, etc. Its all inspiring. I do think a non-tremolo guitar would've been better to test these things on, along with changing gauge as needed.
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