LOW Tuning Advice

[ghosty999]

So I'm digging a new bands record that utilities Drop D2 (Octave below drop D) and have slapped 8 strings on my 7 string RG (top string removed) and it feels awsome.

How can I retain the tightness? The 80 Gauge D string feels tight but sounds floppy and doesn't "cut" or "djent" in the right way.

Is it a case of using some compression right at the front of my rig? Currently using a Mesa Dual Rec into a V30s loaded 2x12. The tone is great.... but the attack just isn't there.

 

[nightflameauto]

You'd be surprised how light of a gauge some of these bands use. I have several 8 string guitars, and try to keep things below 80 gauge if I want it to sound "tight." Though I do have one guitar I string up with .120 on the low string, tune it to C right below the D you're talking about. To keep that one sounding tight, about the only choice is to lower the gain on the amp pretty significantly and boost the piss out of it with a mid-hump boost pedal. SD-1 or Tubscreamer. Compression before the boost doesn't hurt, but may not help.

I'd think based on experience you want to start with an overdrive boost of some type. But if you have a compressor available, it doesn't hurt to try. Just remember, as you go up in gauge, the attack gets more rounded off and closer to sounding like a bass. Longer scale, lower gauge is the "true" way to keep your attack tight and focused, but boosting makes a big difference.

 

[stratjacket]

What’s the bridge pickup? I haven’t messed with 8 strings in a while, but I found a similar thing as you describe. A bridge pickup with a high treble EQ curve brought back the attack. Active 81 type or BKP Painkiller, anything really that has a lower bass and higher mid/treble.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

What is your scale?
If you are trying to make this happen on 25.5 it will be tough to get the clarity needed. You may be harmonically deficient.

 

[godgrinder]

What is your scale?
If you are trying to make this happen on 25.5 it will be tough to get the clarity needed. You may be harmonically deficient.

Yeah this^, optimally you need 28" at least for 8 string tunings if you want clarity.

 

[maddnotez]

That ^^^

It's science. There's a few good articles around the web about it.

https://www.sevenstring.org/threads/str ... ity.10064/

Ive done really low tunings on a 6 string just fine though but if youre talking octaves lower that definitely needs a certain guitar.

Some amps dont handle super low well either.

 

[cardinal]

My low F# strings are .068 with either a 26.5" or 27" scale. I hate the thick strings. They sound awful and muffled. Thinner strings have more snap and bright attack. It takes some adjustment for left-hand pressure and right-hand picking because yes there's not a ton of tension. But it's easily manageable.

Lower-out put pickups are less fussy about amps and boosts but can be a little twangy. If you go with a moderate or high output pickup, IME you need something similar to a high-pass filter. The Fortin 33 dumps a ton of bass but really does allow the low notes to track fast and sounds mean as hell.

And I've had to become very picky with amps. I recently went through many different Rectos, Soldano, Marshall, 5150, Bogner, etc. By FAR the 2204 was the best for tracking the low notes. All of them sound fine with the low B of a 7-string but not a low F#. Even a Marshall Super Lead just was a bit too mushy for the super low tuning by the time it was overdriving. Something about the 2204 is perfect for me.

 

[nightflameauto]

What is your scale?
If you are trying to make this happen on 25.5 it will be tough to get the clarity needed. You may be harmonically deficient.

Yeah this^, optimally you need 28" at least for 8 string tunings if you want clarity.

People say this all the time, but there are always work arounds. Like the dude in Within the Ruins playing at the C below the note the OP is talking about on a 26.5" scale.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Daz8IOg7kM

His method is basically noise gates and tons of mids and highs, but it works.

 

[sleewell2]

I hate the thick strings. They sound awful and muffled. Thinner strings have more snap and bright attack.

this x 10000

 

[ghosty999]

Looks like with all the advice.... longer scale + lighter strings is the key. I've seen loads of "djenters" say that it's counter productive to put thicker strings on at 25.5 scale. It's all about the tension.

Looks like it's baritone time! haha

 

[Apex1Rg7X]

Looks like with all the advice.... longer scale + lighter strings is the key. I've seen loads of "djenters" say that it's counter productive to put thicker strings on at 25.5 scale. It's all about the tension.

Looks like it's baritone time! haha

Many people will get away with 25.5" scale and lower tunings but in most cases nothing beats a 27" scale or longer for those tunings. Like previously said, it helps with keeping string gauges down to more reasonable size, making the tone way less muddy and blah.

 

[ghosty999]

Looks like with all the advice.... longer scale + lighter strings is the key. I've seen loads of "djenters" say that it's counter productive to put thicker strings on at 25.5 scale. It's all about the tension.

Looks like it's baritone time! haha

Many people will get away with 25.5" scale and lower tunings but in most cases nothing beats a 27" scale or longer for those tunings. Like previously said, it helps with keeping string gauges down to more reasonable size, making the tone way less muddy and blah.

Yeah 25.5 I find great for at most drop G, anything beyond that and it's in the flub zone.

I will take everyone's advice and go for lesser gauge as a short term fix. And turn down amp gain + increase boost.

 

[slyym]

Do any of the 8 string bands ever route there guitars to both a bass amp and guitar amp? I’d bet your not getting that low note fundamental out of a guitar amp which would make it sound like your describing.

 

[moltenmetalburn]

Do any of the 8 string bands ever route there guitars to both a bass amp and guitar amp? I’d bet your not getting that low note fundamental out of a guitar amp which would make it sound like your describing.

Seven string fundamentals as well. A1 is 55hz, G1 is 48hz, it’s all harmonic by the time it hits the ear.

This would work well and a subwoofer would be even better at home.

On stage you’ll just compete with the bassist and muddy up the stage mix.