Does drop tuning make an amp sound better?

[university81]

I dunno what the logic behind it is, but even 1\2 step down usually makes my amps sound "better." Still refuse to go from e standard, but sometimes i wonder why i'm so stubborn....

+1

Eb somehow just plain sounds better to me as well, strings are a bit looser and what not but the actual tone is a different and i really dig it, but yet i still stick in E standard with the band lol

 

[steve_k]

I dunno what the logic behind it is, but even 1\2 step down usually makes my amps sound "better." Still refuse to go from e standard, but sometimes i wonder why i'm so stubborn....

+1

Eb somehow just plain sounds better to me as well, strings are a bit looser and what not but the actual tone is a different and i really dig it, but yet i still stick in E standard with the band lol

+2

 

[Metaddict]

My main axe is tuned to Eb and i love it.Just a little deeper voicing but still some real cool highs.(String gauge 11-48)
My Gibson is tuned to D standard and it feels awesome (String gauge 11-52).
I even dropped my main axe to B (just the E string,Mark Tremonti uses this tuning in some of Alter Bridge songs like "I know it hurts") and it still kicks ass.

 

[Gorehog]

my band tunes down half step so i keep my LP at Eb and an Ibby at Eb but 6 th string dropped to C# for the SEETHER type tunes.

and i can an Ibby at standard tuning too.

i dont have preference really.different tunings for different things.i play electronic music too so i use the standard tuning to stay with the keyboards.

my grind/punk band does drop tunings,but honestly dont like playing in drop tunings.i think it leads to more rhythmic playing for sure.at least for me anyway.Soundgarden's "outshined" is the perfect drop riff imo.

i have a Charvel model 2 i used to keep in D for a death metal band i was in,but it always sounded muddy.may have been the EMG 81.

maybe the open D chord in drop tuning just sounds so much fuller and thats what draws the human ear to it.

 

[Gainzilla]

All of my guitars are in Eb, everything about it just sounds better to me... There are some exceptions but Eb is all Ill ever play in. If I have to play in standard, Ill use one of thise Capo Pedals...

 

[leib10]

I think it does, to a point. Once you drop below B, it begins to sound muddy IMO. Not really my thing.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

I like everything from E down to A, usually reside in dropC because it's "better"

 

[Ventura]

Only if you take the covers off the preamp tubes.

You are SUCH a shitdisturber

 

[Ventura]

I dunno what the logic behind it is, but even 1\2 step down usually makes my amps sound "better." Still refuse to go from e standard, but sometimes i wonder why i'm so stubborn....

+1

Eb somehow just plain sounds better to me as well, strings are a bit looser and what not but the actual tone is a different and i really dig it, but yet i still stick in E standard with the band lol

Yep. Of my axes, I only have 2 in standard tuning, my Suhr S4 and one of my Lesters. The rest are Eb, which is "my" standard tuning for the last year and a bit. My Drop C full step down guitar needed to be 'made' for this tuning (tight cermamic magnets, big strings), and then my two other usual players are simply Eb tuning with the 6th strings down to C#. If I go low, as with the above noted C#/full step down guitar, it's an ESP NT-II and sounded like shit when I tuned it this way when it was just stock. I slapped some Painkillers into it, and use Ernie Ball Beefy Slinkys - NOW it sounds incredible, but before this it was just muddy and gross.

Does a guitar sound better in a lower tuning? Perhaps it's because the collective 'we' are more accusotmed to hearing music in this register. Maybe it makes an amp have more girth when we play it straight up. I find the undercurrent of lower notes especially with an open bass string droning away simply makes everything sound bigger and fatter.

So it goes.

 

[Gainfreak]

I think so and Ive always thought that lower tunings sound better. Im not talking rediculously low tunings but Eb and even a bit lower. Ive even commented about lower tunings it numerous threads although I do think there is a point that you can go to low and then it's pretty much a mess IMHO.


With that said, Ive had the pleasure of playing some charity events over the last year or so where everyone used the same amp setup and it was duly noted from many of the guitar players that the guys who ran there guitars at Eb sounded much better. it was really weird seeing/hearing it as it was happening but we all commented on how much of a difference the tuning mattered.
at the end of day it's all a matter of opinion really but I much prefer Eb tuning.

Just my 0.02

 

[70strathead]

I dont think so. I still think a guitar resonates best at A 440 and I do prefer that through an amp too. When i hear clips of 7 string guitars tuned to B or C and through piles of mush, it just doesnt sound like a stringed instrument to me.

 

[sinfish]

I think so for metal at least. Detuned clean tones sound like ass in my opinion. My Jackson Dinky plays and sounds better in D.

 

[Code001]

I used to play a lot of Drop Bb tunings (ala Slipknot IOWA recordings) and you aren't going to do that with a Les Paul.

Steve

Tell that to In Flames.

 

[se7en]

I don't think it makes an amp sound better...E standard has a certain crunch and tightness. Eb is where it's at for me and Drop C#/Db. I think once you go past Drop C, the clarity suffers...

 

[JamesPeters]

It was the same model guitar... a Schecter. They were right next to each other. I wouldnt be surprised if the tonal variations between guitars affected the tone.

BTW, Happy New Year James

Hi Dave! Merry new year.

I used to tune flat since I liked the extra grind it would get, but now I usually tune standard. My entire setup has changed many times so I guess I'm not relying on the lower string tension for whatever difference in the sound it had given. As always though my preference is subject to change, and all my guitars have fixed bridges (or Strat bridges that I made fixed), so I reserve the right to do a 180 on this.

 

[Anonymous]

Drop tunings are for those that can't be bothered by using more than 1 finger to play....

Oh, I beg to differ.....ye of E standard and Eb wankery

And, I found the sex much better around my house in Drop C.....

All Eb but....I use at least 2 fingers most of the time...

 

[steve_k]

Drop tunings are for those that can't be bothered by using more than 1 finger to play....

Oh, I beg to differ.....ye of E standard and Eb wankery

And, I found the sex much better around my house in Drop C.....

All Eb but....I use at least 2 fingers most of the time...

Use 3 for better effect and articulation, especially on the G.....

 

[steve_k]

I used to play a lot of Drop Bb tunings (ala Slipknot IOWA recordings) and you aren't going to do that with a Les Paul.

Steve

Tell that to In Flames.

All I can tell you is from my experience. Maybe they have magic Les Pauls. Fucking tailpiece damn near falls off.

 

[Badronald]

I dont think so. I still think a guitar resonates best at A 440 and I do prefer that through an amp too. When i hear clips of 7 string guitars tuned to B or C and through piles of mush, it just doesnt sound like a stringed instrument to me.

+1

 

[steve_k]

It's a good thing the inventor of the guitar designed tuning pegs so we can have an option. What boring shit a guitar would be stuck in E standard.