Setting up to D tuning.

[Kwerty]

Hi,

Is it possible to set up your guitar tuned to D tuning and having it stay in tuned? In other words, 1 full step down from standard.

I understand that the strings sold in Singapore are all made for standard tuning and if you try to detune it 1 full step, it will get a little flabby and hard to get in tuned? Is there a way to set-up the guitar so that it will stay in tuned for D tuning? (Both acoustic/electric)

I have gotten advice like mix-match strings to get the best solution out of the 'tension' issue; to be able to stay in tune. Any others? Thanks in advance!

Rgds,
K

 

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

Use thicker gauge and recut nut slot to suit that particular gauge

acutally there are brand of strings available locally for down tuning. If not, just get a 7 strings pack and use the low B to high B strings, tuned to Dadgbe.

Or, get the zak wylde sig set and tuned to D. His set shud be more than enough to downtune.

if wanna even more thicker for down tuning, gotta hunt for baritone strings set.

The 7strings and zw strings shud be able to get from yamaha at plaza sing or davis. Baritone string most likely wont be able to find easily in shops locally. That might have to order online

 

[tomkeifer1986]

guitar

bro try using the zakk wylde strings from ghs.they really work because they are damn thick but it may be hard to use them because it may be a workout for your fingers.and you need to file a bit of your nut to fit in the thick strings.but it really can handle drop d really well.no buzzing and flabbing recommend it on guitars like lp.really thick and heavy sound.1 more thing the pinch harmonics on the low e string is very zakk wylde

 

[Nefianz]

juz put in my guitar the other day.. too thick a guage for my liking though..

 

[Denosha]

2nd the Zakk Wylde strings. Davis sells 'em. My bro has got a fixed bridge (detuning an axe with a trem will be a major pain) Jackson Kelly set up with Zakk Wylde boomers on C tuning. Have to make adjustments to the truss rod, saddles and stuff though. Slight bit of buzzing on the low E but nothing too bad.

 

[suckasucks]

could use the eric johnson ghs sig set. 11-52 should be ok for 1 step down. i'm using this set but tuned up to standard.

 

[Kwerty]

Hi, thanks for the replies.

Just to clarify some doubts, does that mean most of the thicker gauge strings can hold down tunings fairly well? I'm actually looking more at acoustic cause my electric is on .13s and it is for Eb. I tried going down D but it tends to go out of tune frequently. Not sure if it is the tuner's fault but I've got it set up for that gauge and at Eb. So I'm not sure if there's a need for another set up just for D tuning.

 

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

the use of thicker gauge for tuning down is because of the having enough tension(thus less flabby rubbery like strings) is just the first step

Another 2 important factors which constitute to better tuning lies in the tuners and nut slot. Without these 2 factors, even with thicker strings, it will never stay in tune

imho

 

[AzNjT]

doesnt matter, i play Dropped C on my Electric and Acoustics~

they;re all fine~

if you want, u could just get higher Gauge Strings~

 

[Kwerty]

PatheinRaindropMoe:

Is there a need for intonation adjustment? I will be using the same gauges again just that I'm down tuning.

 

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

yeah, go with checking the intonation also. Shud not take up too much time i guess.

just wondering, actually how bad is the outta tune issue? With every strumming the tuning out or occassional that you need to retune after playing hard?

 

[Kwerty]

Retune after playing hard. Probably after each song. But once in awhile when you strum really hard it gets out of tune between each songs. So yeah that is the irritating bit.

 

[AzNjT]

What Guitar are you using ?

 

[Kwerty]

The tuners hold pretty darn well on standard tuning/drop Eb thats for sure.(if that is why u're asking for the brand)

I'm suspecting it is the string tension thing or that the string is too old. Gonna try my last packet of 12s and if it still don't hold as well for D tuning I'll go with .13s or baritones.

Thanks for the advice guys.

Rgds,
K

 

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

just imho, before you use up the strings, maybe you like to bring the guitar to tech(couple of names always mentioned in forums here, you can check out) and let them check the guitar before stringing up.

A well cut slot and a good setup often make a big difference to stable tuning.