anyone tune down a half-step?

[NigelT]

SRV and Hendrix, but not me.

[rz1]

I used to keep a guitar in Eb because a lot of the music I like is in Eb (Nirvana, Alice in Chains, etc). I may go back to doing that again now that I have more guitars.

[mahoriver]

Ive been tuning down 1/2 a step for a while now.,But going back and playing some older songs recently im find it slows the song down.The opposite of when i use a capo up the neck - it seems to speed the song up.I guess that would be to do with pitch...Generally dont like using a capo.So its back to standard tuning for now.(on one at least)

[mahoriver]

Changed my mind and gone back to 1/2 step down.
Ive been tuning to 432 Hz for a while now.But a 1/2 step down at 432Hz
is almost 3/4 of a step down..So ive gone back to 440Hz & Half down,and
its working well.Song speed fine..Plus i really like the the looser feel on the
strings.

[JakeStone]

Bringing back an old thread..
Search is my friend on this topic.

I tried tuning down a 1/2 step (from 440) the other day on my Alvarez Dread.

Wow.. what a huge difference it made in tone and playability! It really brought the instrument alive! Not to mention my middle-aged voice sounds better too.

Since I am not playing in bands anymore and doing more singer-songwriter stuff.... I think this will work out better!

So if I do play with others.. I just capo at 1st fret to be in standard? Right?

[sam.spoons]

Yup, that'd do it.

[Txmiller]

Half step down for this older strummer. Easier on voice and feels like I'm playing a short scale w/ less string tension. However, I did not like 1/2 step down on my short scale guitars as they felt a little loose.

[rbh32]

I'd tune my ukulele down a half step if I could. Even on my parlor it sounds and plays easier.

[jdinco]

I've tried it several times and it never sounds right to me, I'm sure I just need to retrain the ear. There's no place I could tune any guitar to that would help my voice.

[Jerry D]

Anybody know how to set a Snark for this?

[Bucc5207]

Originally Posted by Jerry D

Anybody know how to set a Snark for this?

I don't know how specifically on a Snark, but all you need to do is tell it A = 415.2 Hz.

I've been trying it for the last few weeks, and it does seem easier on my geezer tendons while still allowing me to use .013s.

[247hoopsfan]

I actually tuned down for a finger style song I played on my Larrivee at church yesterday. I did it to match the way Chris Tomlin plays Mighty Is The Cross, which is tuned down 1/2 step. Played the song in Key of G, and when I did a bass run from G down to Em my guitar just filled the room. Kinda sounded like a baritone. Sounded really nice.

[bitraker]

All my dreads are tuned down half a step and strung with .12 Monels - less string tension due to tuning down + Monels' greater flexibility = my solution to reducing hand fatigue and a great sound

Hendrix tuned down half a step so did SRV.

[lweb10]

I started doing this with one guitar, a beautiful hand built grand concert that had an odd, harsh overtone on the open B string. Half step down got rid of the weirdness and made it sound more authoritative. Haven't tried it with any other guitars.

[3 chord]

If it helps you sing, I get that. But...

Could be me but I don't think guitars resonate quite the same when tuned down. And using a Capo doesn't quite feel like the same as a guitar in standard tuning to me. The overtones seem different.

It's like most guitars are built be in standard tuning to my ear. (and I'm ot talking about alternate tunings here, just about detuning a 1/2 or whole step).

I know, hogwash. And I have no proof of this. I am not a guitar builder or an expert in physics, I just "think" I hear a difference.

SRV had good reason to tune down, his strings and bends were HUGE!!! Plus I think electrics are a different beast all together.

(I guess if I had an 100 year old flat top it would be tuned down though).