Anybody else like their rosewood Martins half a step down ?

[GibbyPrague]

So Ive got this monstrous 2002 Martin J-40. It has what I love about Martins, deep, thundeous tone, projections, thick individual notes.

I found this guitar excels in lead work, fingerpicking, but abit like the Gibson AJ, it is just too much for strumming, unless you do a bit of hybrid strumming. But certainly not what you can do on a Gibson freely, just strum away full chords and be a great vocal backup. Its simply just too overpowering and not particular good soudning.

But ... Ive tuned it down half a step, and boom, I think I found the Martins strumming sweet spot. It still has all the richness and projection, but now its like everything was taken off the pedal by around 20% and the tone is great, balanced, more subtle and a pleasure to strum.

Anybody else foudn a similar vibe with their Martin when tuned down a bit ?

[neil spedding]

Yes I find a lot of guitars sound great down to Eb
Use mediums though not lights I found

[Earl49]

Gibby, my [now gone] J-40 absolutely loved to be tuned down a full step to D-d wearing medium gauge strings. It really blossomed tonally and lived there most of the time for the last few years that I owned it. I once even put heavy EJ-18's (59-14) on it and tuned to C-c, but the intonation was too far off -- even though the basic tone was still solid. A great guitar with wonderful tone. Too bad that my fretting hand grew to hate that neck carve later on.

Which reminds me, I should get out my Alvarez ABT-60 baritone and play it tonight. At its next string change I will probably use EJ-18 strings and tune it C-c. I've pondered doing the same with my Emerald X30. That jumbo guitar has monster bass and is more than strong enough to handle the string tension. (There isn't really any more tension when tuned down that far - it is equal to a medium EJ-17 set at D-d and a light EJ-16 set at E-e).

[Rosewood99]

Not sure why you specifically listed Martin and rosewood, but I tune all of my guitars a half step down.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by Earl49

Which reminds me, I should get out my Alvarez ABT-60 baritone and play it tonight. At its next string change I will probably use EJ-18 strings and tune it C-c. I've pondered doing the same with my Emerald X30. That jumbo guitar has monster bass and is more than strong enough to handle the string tension. (There isn't really any more tension when tuned down that far - it is equal to a medium EJ-17 set at D-d and a light EJ-16 set at E-e).

For a bit of fun try a set of lights on your ABT-60 tuned to D - surprising clear with plenty of bottom end.... it can even take some strummimg!



Gibby I liked the way my 12-strings sounded and played tuned down a 1/2 step so I simply adopted the same tuning for all my guitars - even my Rick bass.

[birdsong]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

Not sure why you specifically listed Martin and rosewood, but I tune all of my guitars a half step down.

I pretty much tune all of mine down one half or one full step. I love the way they sound. Even with light gauge strings.

I agree that doing so with the D-41 can really excite some wood fibers.....

J

[jpd]

my 00-28 sounds fabulous!

[Russ C]

And apart from preferring the tone in “Eb” anyway, the benefit of extra longevity to fingers and guitar the option of fitting a gauge bigger and enjoying more sound makes it a win for me.
I even prefer “D” to normal pitch but must acknowledge that it’s getting a bit low.

Of course it means we must then own another guitar to keep in concert pitch doesn’t it.
Smile.

[boneuphtoner]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

Not sure why you specifically listed Martin and rosewood, but I tune all of my guitars a half step down.

Same here! When I got my wonderful sinker 0000, it came with medium gauge strings - but the setup was so nice they felt like lights and the sound was very rich and fat - especially on the treble side. I tried mediums again in my other axes, and I was quickly reminded why I strung them with lights - but I decided to try dropping them all to Eb and keep the medium strings on there - the sinker was still great in Eb, but the dropped tuning and medium gauge strings really helped my M-36 and Taylor Academy.

The great thing about using medium gauge strings in Eb is that the tension is practically identical to using light gauge in standard E tuning.

I'm a huge fan - and I mostly play fingerstyle

[evening_crow]

I tune everything to Eb. Easier to play and to me it feels like the notes bloom and have more overtones.

[KenL]

All three of mine listed below are tuned half a step down. And all three have Elixir Lights.

They sound terrific, and it better suits my 3-note vocal range.

[Mike McLenison]

I tune me ebony Martin down a whole step. Best sounding/feeling ever for me.

[BudHa]

I have been keeping my 12 strings tuned down a half step to ease the pressure on the neck and I like the sound. But I have never thought about tuning by 6 strings down. I retuned my 000-28 down 1/2 step this morning and I like it. Thanks for posting the tip.

[GibbyPrague]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

Not sure why you specifically listed Martin and rosewood, but I tune all of my guitars a half step down.

I simply prefer my Gibsons at normal tuning, but find the Martin sounds significantly better tuned down.

I also prefer the Martin with light gage 80/20's but with a thicker pick.

[Dru Edwards]

Most of my acoustics are tuned down 1/2 step. It's easier on my voice and a great side effect is that some of those guitars sound even better.