tuning a half step low

[Hink]

is it for the singer or for the guitarist's benefit?

note I mean dropping a half step across the board, not switching to a different tuning all together.

[Stupid American Pig]

I always thought you just did that for a guitars longevity. but I guess it would be to fit a singers range mostly, tho some folks say that the harmonics interact with each other differently at different tunings.

[t-willy]

Eb,Ab,Db,Gb,Bb,Eb?

for the singer in my case

lates

t-willy

[selfconstruct]

I thought it was to match the brass.

[Hink]

I always thought you just did that for a guitars longevity.

I'm thinkig along the same line, but when it comes to eletrics the string tension should not affect the guitars longevity...however the strings? Less tension means strings are less apt to snap while performing, they bend easier and are easier on your fingers.

I have always believed that the concert pitch school of thought was about the vocalist. But it's only half a step. I think weighing the difference between strain on the throat and the lower tension on strings that string tension is more effected. So now I question it.

Fwiw my main tuning EAEACE, is more tense then standard (ecery deviation is tuned up) so playing around with some D and G tunings I have really noticed the difference. Especially on my acoustic, but on everything lately I've been all over the place with tunings.

[Amberience]

I'm not sure I understand the question.

[birrbits]

not a guitar guru myself, but I have a few.

I think in general the lower tuning occurs more often in rock because the sound becomes a bit 'thicker', especially distorted.

[Stupid American Pig]

I always thought you just did that for a guitars longevity.

I'm thinkig along the same line, but when it comes to eletrics the string tension should not affect the guitars longevity...

I have heard many folks recommend tuning a 1/2 step down on older hollow/semihollow electrics and acoustics. but a solid body I would imagine shouldnt need it.

The more I think about it the more I think its gotta be to match other instruments as others have stated.

[Hink]

I thought it was to match the brass.

that never occurred too me..but many I'm thinking of never had much brass...EVH described it as part of his brown sound I believe, but I wonder if it's more a part of his speed.

The same can be said for open G players (which is quite common). It's easier to play...

[Hink]

not a guitar guru myself, but I have a few.

I think in general the lower tuning occurs more often in rock because the sound becomes a bit 'thicker', especially distorted.

again that's EVH said and I'm sure it's somewhat true...but a little gain fixes that. Pick-ups, active electronics and even where you pick on the string can all effect the thickness more imo...

[ew]

It affects the guitar's tonality. A lot of people got into it because of Hendrix (who did it to match his voice's range) and ended up staying with it because of the sound. To my ears it's a more minorish sound than tuning in E.

Myself, I've been tuning to E flat for years (with the bottom string dropped down to D flat) for years. I almost feel lost on a guitar tuned to E

ew

[Hink]

when you say Eb do you mean Eb Bb Eb G Bb Eb? Or standard dropped a half step?

[ew]

Standard dropped a half-step, Hink.

ew

[Amberience]

when you say Eb do you mean Eb Bb Eb G Bb Eb? Or standard dropped a half step?

I had always assumed that GYBE recorded F#A# Infinity in standard, but I just tuned to this one you listed Hink, and it's a lot easier to play the riffs with.

So I think they probably used it too.

[t-willy]

Myself, I've been tuning to E flat for years (with the bottom string dropped down to D flat)

same here. i love that tuning.

lates

t-willy