Detuned a half step for the first time... What a horrible ex

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bobbtoz

bobbtoz

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We decided to drop down half a step to help the singer out. I was completely out of my eliment. The instrument felt forien. Even the tone didn't sound right. Seamed like I was out of pitch w/ the rest of the band. This had me so off that i was fucking up all through the practice (thank god it was only practice). I checked the guitars tuning/ throughout practice and it seamed to be fine. Made sure it was intonated before we played.

Now I know I can go to a higher gauge string and make sure I'm intonated, which is what I will do, but it kills me that I'm that sensitive to minor adjustments. I even like to stand in one particular area because I notice a huge difference in my amps tone. I'm mainly venting, but suggestions are welcome.



Bob T.
 
Usually when you drop down half a step you need to go up one gauge of strings to keep the intonation.
 
Yea....well... you will just have to experiment.

After you play around with drop A & drop C, half step doesn't feel like much to worry about. Changing the tune makes a huge difference in tone, you will just have to rol with it & find the right guitar, pickup, strings, amp, amp settings. Yes, it's that complicated.
 
I don't think Eb sounds all that different at all, but I play in C and B a lot, so that's probably why.
 
You are just so used to Standard tuning, play around with some other tunings and see what fits best.
 
I like playing in Eb. Both of my bands are down half a step and it makes a huge difference for the singer. Yes the strings are a little slinkier and you can easily go sharp on bends, but you get used to it. I like the heavier rhythm tones you get. Jam along with Thin Lizzy Live & Dangerous... it'll take all of about 30 seconds to say "yeah- that sounds right!" :rock:
 
I think you guys are basically right. just need to experiment and give it some time.
 
nbarts":1r0m07o0 said:
Yea....well... you will just have to experiment.

After you play around with drop A & drop C, half step doesn't feel like much to worry about. Changing the tune makes a huge difference in tone, you will just have to rol with it & find the right guitar, pickup, strings, amp, amp settings. Yes, it's that complicated.
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Yup, at least with low tunings. I've said it before, but tuning really low needs to be treated in a totally different way.

Eb though :confused: Not that big of a change, I wouldnt think.
 
Sounds silly, but I have to ask. If the rest of your band wasn't sympathetically tuned, then it is going to sound like shit.

Not that I'm accusing you, but I've seen it before.
 
bobbtoz":5h67vgfo said:
We decided to drop down half a step to help the singer out. I was completely out of my eliment. The instrument felt forien. Even the tone didn't sound right. Seamed like I was out of pitch w/ the rest of the band. This had me so off that i was fucking up all through the practice (thank god it was only practice). I checked the guitars tuning/ throughout practice and it seamed to be fine. Made sure it was intonated before we played.

Now I know I can go to a higher gauge string and make sure I'm intonated, which is what I will do, but it kills me that I'm that sensitive to minor adjustments. I even like to stand in one particular area because I notice a huge difference in my amps tone. I'm mainly venting, but suggestions are welcome.



Bob T.
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It was my bright idea to try this with our band. Needless to say, I experienced the same things as you. Not only did my guitar hate being in Eb but the whole overall tone seemed sluggish, muddy, and so different that I couldnt get into it at all :no:

We're back in standard tuning now, but I still wonder if I gave up on it too fast :confused:
 
I once put 12s on a JP6 and tuned down to C. Never felt in tune. It was odd. Technically, the intonation should have been fine: down 2 steps, up 2 string gauges.
 
dfrattaroli":381wpkvr said:
I once put 12s on a JP6 and tuned down to C. Never felt in tune. It was odd. Technically, the intonation should have been fine: down 2 steps, up 2 string gauges.
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Never that simple. In B F# B E A B (weird tuning, I know) and B F# B E G# C# I use .060, .052, .038, .022p, .017, .012. It's all about balancing the gauge to the guitar and tuning of each string. You can't just "slap a set of 13's on there" and expect it to rock. Every set of 12's or 13's I've played have been really unbalanced.
 
Most of my bands play down 1/2 step. I have different guitars set up for standard and 1/2 down (I use 10's either way) and I've never had an issue. Try setting your guitar up for it and make sure the rest of yout band does so accordingly...it shouldn't be much of a big deal.
 
You did focus too much on the tuning, hence the fuck ups. You'll get used to it. In my current band we are all tuned half a step. Saves the singer sore throats and back vocals are easier. Half a step down is not a big difference. Well to me it isn't. And it sounds heavy and mean, even with lower gain settings.
 
Some good advice here.

I'll add that heavier string guages don't always sit right in a given nut slot. If they sit higher there's more potential to fret a string sharp.

Also, a switch to a heavier guage may require saddle adjustments.

Having a guitar always set up a half step down is a must here.
 
I wouldn't have thought a half step drop would cause any problems, but it did (for me). I'm going to work on my main guitar and get that set up and see how it goes next practice. Glad to see I'm not the only one to experience this even at only a half step.
 
I love the raunch you get, and the extra thickness for rythmn when playing half a step down.
 
Ive been playing in Db Ab Db Gb Bb Eb for years its my favorite works really well with my pups and guitar.
 
Jordon":2qcmo4wz said:
You can't just "slap a set of 13's on there" and expect it to rock.
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:confused: I've done it often with no ill effects.
 
If you press down too hard with your left hand, you can put the guitar out of tune pretty badly. Need to check the truss rod too, neck can go out of adjustment also.

Personally, I think guitars 'settle in' after awhile. I have guitars devoted to Eb tunings and that works a lot better than just tuning one down and going for it. Also depends on how close your action is to begin with - the closer it is to the frets (lower action) the more important a good setup for the tuning to begin with is.

Pete
 
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