Alternate tunings and Inspiration!!

[Ncbandit]

I'm finding that certain guitars of mine sound better in different tunings which inspires song creativity.

For example my Eastman E1SS-CLD-LTD sounds so good in open G and DADGAD while strumming that it seems criminal to take it back to standard. My other Eastman and Alvarez dread sound better in standard tuning but when playing the same progression in Open G and DADGAD they do nothing for me and almost sound bad.

I guess this is just another justification for multiple guitars.

Does any one else find that certain guitars are better suited for open tuning?

For any Eastman E1SS-CLD-LTD owners out there I would highly recommend experimenting with Open G and DADGAD tunings.

[birdsong]

I have not tested all my guitars. But there's one in particular that I think sounds great in altered tunings, and it's the Larrivee L-19. It is Rosewood, Sitka. From 1996. I was told it was more straight-braced (not scalloped). I have Monels on it and I think they sound fine and I rather like the sound, contrary to other reports of Monel on RW.

I've been playing it in either double dropped D or open G. It seems to give off some extra rumble. I've only been doing 2 slow folks ballad type songs which suit the mood of the tunings and mellow strings.

In order to sing some songs I used to sing, I have to go lower. For a few in C or G, I have dropped the D-41 down one whole tone. I'm playing by myself so this works for now....... but again I like the extra ooomph that seems to emanate from the D-41 in this tuning.

Your note reminds me to try some of the other guitars.

John

[jaymarsch]

My longer scale guitars (25.4”) sound great in altered tunings - even low C and Gsus4/4. My 25” scale sounds great in Drop D and DADGAD and Open G. My three best guitars all perform well in standard and altered tunings.

Best,
Jayne

[s2y]

Other than avoiding short scale, not really. It's also possible to customize sets of strings if you decide to keep something in an altered tuning.

[The Bard Rocks]

You are not the first to make this discovery, not by any means. We all should explore things such as this more.

[TBman]

All of my guitars are either in CGDGCD or DADGAD with the exception of my J-45 and Washburn D-10S.

Orkney, CGDGCD, is my favorite right now.

Of course the trade off is slightly lazy left fingers due to less full chords being used.

[musicman1951]

Both of my guitars are short scale and sound great in DADGAD (although I'm sure nobody is surprised to hear that about the Lowden).