downtuning to C#

[ibanez]

I own a Kramer Vanguard S440S,

it's string thru so doesn't have a tremolo bridge or locking nuts.

How can I tune this guitar to C# and have it stay there, without the strings becoming to flappy?

[minhvp]

With drop C, I suggest going with thicker strings, that way it wont be as flappy.

[KramerTamer]

Why such a low tuning? One of my guitars is set to double drop D but thats the lowest. I really don't know what to tell ya on that one.

[Rippin Rod]

Allow me to suggest a bass guitar.

[Johnny Drama]

Guys, just because it's different than what most of us grew up on doesn't make it bad. While I wouldn't want to play everything in a dropped tuning like C or C#, it is quite fun from time to time.

To answer the question, I think it should be fine, but would recommend thicker strings as stated earlier. Of course, you probably already know that if you detune. :thumbsup

[Shwayman11]

Guys, just because it's different than what most of us grew up on doesn't make it bad. While I wouldn't want to play everything in a dropped tuning like C or C#, it is quite fun from time to time.

:thumbsup

+10000000000
good post johnny

dfrent strokes fer dfrent folks :thumbsup

[flyingvfreak]

I have tuned to low C# many a times , for some reason thats my Key for Vocal Purposes ,I can hit the range when tuned that low, Also give a Listen to Early Sabbath Master of Reality thats all tuned low C too :thumbsup Different strokes for different folks ;) GO with the Zack Wylde Stings From GHS big ass gauges 11 -70 :yikes , you may have to file your nut to acomadate them :thumbsup

[DethConsumer]

I have tuned to low C# many a times , for some reason thats my Key for Vocal Purposes ,I can hit the range when tuned that low, Also give a Listen to Early Sabbath Master of Reality thats all tuned low C too :thumbsup Different strokes for different folks ;) GO with the Zack Wylde Stings From GHS big ass gauges 11 -70 :yikes , you may have to file your nut to acomadate them :thumbsup

+1 Yup! :thumbsup
Sabbath (Master of Reality, Vol 4, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Sabbatage) were tuned down to C#.

If you're using 9's, you will never keep it in tune. The lightest you can go would be 10's, and if that don't work 11's.

You have to set your intonation as well to C# or it will sound lame in a solo.

A 3rd of my guitars are tuned this way. I play a lot of Sabbath though.:)

INTO THE VOID BABY!!!! (http://www.myspace.com/dethconsumer)
http://img262.echo.cx/img262/70/blacksabbathmaster6io.jpg

[kurenai]

yeah ive tuned to c a few times. just in order to play a few speed metal songs that i like.

[pel666]

The Wino axe I just finished is in C# (56w 46w 36w 17 13 10)

I got an axe in C, it's got a 7 string set on it and I just loose the high E. Disadvantage is the wound G.

Nut job is DEFINATELY needed, I would recommend bringing it in with the instructions to take off the old nut and keep it seperate for putting it back to stock and have a new one made...or do it yourself if you feel comfortable...

[_xxx_]

I know quite a few pwople playing in C, they use 11's or 12's and the resulting tension is somewhere between 8's and 9's in regular tuning. So that's your best bet.

[dimebagdolf]

11's should be fine.

I used to tune to C# on a 25.5" scale guitar with 11's. A short scale guitar might require 12's.

I currently tune to D on my Nightswans with 11's.

You'll need to make some neck tweaks to make it play right tho. The extra tension on the neck will make it bow and you'll need to adjust the truss rod. Very small adjustments tho. Take your time when adjusting the neck. Make sure to double check the intonation too.


:thumbsup

[Kramer_Krazy]

Just buy a 7-string and don't worry about it. My Ibanez Universe can always handle a tuning like that, as the lowest string is a "B". You may need to get creative with how you play a song, though. There aren't many songs I can't transpose onto a 7-string if I try hard enough. Sometimes it may give your fingers a good workout, too. ;)

BTW - My first 7-string was a MusicYo Kramer. Once I found out I liked the 7-string, I bought the Universe....and an ESP LTD H-205 for a backup.

[Krimson]

I have my Kramer Custom LP tuned to drop C using just 11's. I only use for a about the songs that are on our set list.

[shad0h]

I read somewhere that Iommi cut off his fingertips in an industrial accident and had to either drop tuning so he could fret the strings, or quit playing.

[amerturk]

I read somewhere that Iommi cut off his fingertips in an industrial accident and had to either drop tuning so he could fret the strings, or quit playing.

Don't know about the tuning, but he does wear two fake fingertips. If you look closely in any pic of him playing, you will see them.

As far as the C tuning. The only song that comes to mind from my limited knowledge is "Come as you are" by Nirvana.

[Kramer_Krazy]

As far as the C tuning. The only song that comes to mind from my limited knowledge is "Come as you are" by Nirvana.
It's been three years since I played the swong, but "Aerials" by System of a Down was one of those funky dropped tunings. I think most of the other drop tunings that I did were in "D" for Godsmack and Alice in Chains songs.

[RockStringBender]

I read somewhere that Iommi cut off his fingertips in an industrial accident and had to either drop tuning so he could fret the strings, or quit playing.

Yep, and it was his last shift at the foundry before going off with a new record deal. He has little plastic tips fashioned for prostheics and tuned real low to be able to work the strings.

[amerturk]

Alice in Chains songs.

One of the best underdogs of the 90's. :thumbsup

[pel666]

Lot's a stoner bands play in C...or C#! (spirit caravan, the Hidden Hand, Grand Magus, Fu Manchu, Dern Rutlidge, Orange Goblin etc...)

Other than that, I actually can't think of anything else :scratchhe

[BeN5150]

Fu Manchu kick ass!

[Rippin Rod]

Try F#b.

[KramerTamer]

Guys, just because it's different than what most of us grew up on doesn't make it bad. While I wouldn't want to play everything in a dropped tuning like C or C#, it is quite fun from time to time.

To answer the question, I think it should be fine, but would recommend thicker strings as stated earlier. Of course, you probably already know that if you detune. :thumbsup

Didn't say it was bad. Just said I don't know what to tell ya. In reguard to his question. :scratchhe

[Johnny Drama]

Didn't say it was bad. Just said I don't know what to tell ya. In reguard to his question. :scratchhe

No dude, it wasn't pointed at you. :thumbsup

[_xxx_]

One of the best underdogs of the 90's. :thumbsup

My favourite band actually. But they weren't really underdogs, they were quite popular and sold many, many records.

[KramerTamer]

I love AIC. Even after Lane. They were huge here, of course they are from here.

[_xxx_]

I saw them last year with that new singer and it was a good show. Are they actually about to release any new stuff? I heard nothing as of yet :(

[KramerTamer]

According to their newsletter they are only touring to give the fans a chance to hear their stuff live again. A tribute to Lane is what J Cantrell said. They are all doing different projects but they officially are still members of AIC. They did leave the door open for a new Album. We can only hope! They still sound awesome. Lane was an unreal singer. Wish he were still here. His place in the U district was 2 miles from my house. I miss the days in the early 90's here. You could always go out to hear a good band. AIC used to play in a place called the Showbox. We used to see them no cover. Those were the days.

[geetar10]

Love AIC! Would be hard to replace Staley, unique voice/singer. Too bad about him.

[amerturk]

My favourite band actually. But they weren't really underdogs, they were quite popular and sold many, many records.

True, but my reference I guess refers to "selling out" They never took the "arena" route and were overshadowed by Pearl Jam and Nirvana. For me, and I may be wrong, but the picking order for these groups from the northwest was this;

1. Nirvana
2. Pearl Jam
3. AIC
4. Soundgarden
87. Heart :D

My order would be this.

1. AIC
2. Pearl Jam

[Tuttermuts]

Dimebag anyone?

How could you all forget!:nono

j/k But seriously he used drop D allot and Damageplan is somewhere around drop B

[_xxx_]

True, but my reference I guess refers to "selling out" They never took the "arena" route and were overshadowed by Pearl Jam and Nirvana.

Nirvana was always like some local kiddie band learning how to play to me, never interested me at all. Also, I don't like drug-induced "art".

As for Pearl Jam, if there's one band I find disguasting, that's it. "We'll never make videos for MTV again" and loads of crap like that, really fake through and through.

No pun intended, it's just my taste and my ears :)


While we're talking Seattle, how about Queensryche, Metal Church, Sanctuary, Nevermore, Mudhoney, Savatage? There's got to be something in the water there :D

[_xxx_]

According to their newsletter they are only touring to give the fans a chance to hear their stuff live again. A tribute to Lane is what J Cantrell said. They are all doing different projects but they officially are still members of AIC. They did leave the door open for a new Album. We can only hope! They still sound awesome. Lane was an unreal singer. Wish he were still here. His place in the U district was 2 miles from my house. I miss the days in the early 90's here. You could always go out to hear a good band. AIC used to play in a place called the Showbox. We used to see them no cover. Those were the days.


Sick! If you only knew how I envy you for that (in a good way)

[Kramer_Krazy]

Nirvana was always like some local kiddie band learning how to play to me, never interested me at all. Also, I don't like drug-induced "art".
<snip>....
While we're talking Seattle, how about Queensryche, Metal Church.....
I agree with you on "Nerdvana". I NEVER throught they were very talented and their music generally seemed to be geared toward brainless teenagers who liked to play follow-the-leader.....which is probably why so many of them committed suicide after Kurt did....

Queensryche and Metal Church are two bands that I really dig. I've always loved the guitarwork of Chris DeGarmo and Michael Wilton.....plus, they play some bad-ass ESP guitars!

[KramerTamer]

I was also going to say What about Queensryche? And Candlebox for that matter? I acually was close to Eddie Jackson back in the Late 80's early 90's. After the Empire tour my friend had a party for him. (they grew up together). He was really cool, he had all of this money from other countries with him when we went to a liquor store so I bought. :D I also had him sign my Empire CD. This was back when cd's were still kind of new and I had him sign the accual white top of the cd. He was worried it wouldn't play.:D He hadn't signed one that way and we wern't sure if the laser read the top of the cd or not.........Like I said, those were great times in Seattle. Oh, and Heart is Seattle's band, we rate them high. AIC recorded most of their stuff here at Hearts "Bad Animals" studio. Also, Seattle son Jimi H. I think it's the moody type of city this is in weather and the way it's built that inspires artists here.

[amerturk]

I was also going to say What about Queensryche?

SHIT! How could I forget!?! and Jimi too! I did meet Scott (the drummer) back in '83 in Seattle. Those were the days. :funnel