|
|
Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4081
Location: Utah | Currently I have Martin SP lights (.012 to .054 ) on the 6778LX. The action is low but not buzzing low in standard tuning. We're trying a song where the guitar should be tuned 3 half steps low, or drop D flat if that's the right way to say it.
Would medium strings be a good guess? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | I think saying "drop D flat" would give the impression that you're only changing the top E string to that tuning.
Anyway, my very similar 1778lx is always tuned a half step down, and half the time, the high and low E strings are tuned another full step down to D flat (If this was done to a standard tuned guitar, I think it would be called drop double D? I'm not sure). I'm using lights still with no buzzing, and the action is low.
If I were to drop all the strings down, I'd probably come to the same conclusion... Mediums. Probably a trial and error thing though.
Out of curiosity, what's the song? Or is it an original? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Low E down to D = Drop D
Low & High E's down to D = Double Drop D
If you're tuning the WHOLE guitar down 1.5 steps, I'd definitely recommend Mediums . . . |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4081
Location: Utah | The song is Patty Griffin's "Up to the Mountain". Here's the Youtube of the version of the guitar part I'd like to do, but played on acoustic. http://youtube.com/watch?v=D_NuK75HV1A We currently have it worked up after first rehearsal more like this version http://youtube.com/watch?v=BXp_gWxoULg but with the whole band. Both versions are in the same key, B, just played in different positions and then transposed.
We start with just guitar and vocals, then after the first verse some drums, violin, viola, and cello add in. Much like the album version which isn't on YouTube, but its sort of an acoustic version of Reba McIntyre and Kelly Clarkson http://youtube.com/watch?v=Y-cwDhGGAp4. Our version is one step lower than the originals to accomodate the vocalist's range and to simplify transcribing the strings' parts.
We've got only warm-ups before the first performance Saturday night, but the vocalist is killer and she'll be fine with the change up. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Flysig,
now that`s a nice song , is that a J -100 or 200 ( big box guitar ) that Patty is using ?...as I understand it , you will be playing that on an Ovation , a rather small box , compared to that Jumbo , and you want to tune down drastically , will that not cause a thin ,tiddy bass ?..is that what would work best for the song ?.. :)
Vic
..just curious.. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4081
Location: Utah | Vic, good questions. Patty plays the song capod at the 4th fret and plays it like it's in the key of G. The open tuning is played like it is in the key of C, but the guitar is tuned town 1/2 step. Thus, both methods result in key of B.
Her acoustic always sounds a bit chimey to me, kind of lacking in depth because there are no low notes. The version with just the electric guitar tuned down 1/2 step sounds really full. Honestly I don't know if the acoustic would do it justice simply because of lack of sustain. Going down another whole step is an unknown factor as well.
The good news is that we will have bass, cello, viola, violin, and drums to help fill in the sound. I'm considering setting up one of the electric guitars with heavier strings to try tuning way down for this song, leaving me with the Ovation as is just in case it doesn't work out. That also leaves me one other electric in normal configuration for the Saturday performance. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | Originally posted by cliff:
Low & High E's down to D = Double Drop D
Yeah, that's what I meant to type ... lil dyslexia at work there. :rolleyes: |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Originally posted by Damon67:
Anyway, my very similar 1778lx is always tuned a half step down, Any particular reason? Do you tune all of your guitars down a half-step? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | Originally posted by stonebobbo:
Originally posted by Damon67:
Anyway, my very similar 1778lx is always tuned a half step down, Any particular reason? Do you tune all of your guitars down a half-step?
1. built in tuner
2. it just seems to do better with the lowered tuning.
That Deluxe Balladeer/Legend thing has been used a bunch lately too (I REALLY like it, but don't have to tell you that ;) ), so it's dropped a half step.
All the electrics are in standard tuning. |
|
| |
String guage for drop D flat?
