Printable Version of Topic
Click here to view this topic in its original format
GMC Forum _ CHILL OUT _ Drop C Tuning
Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 14 2014, 05:23 AM
I"ve tuned my Neck Through Body Ibanez RGT42 to DROP C and it's pretty darn spiff! I left the heavy gauge strings on it and it sounds meaaaaaaaannnn!!!! Drop C didn't work well on my RG560 with 9 gauge strings and a bolt on neck. But on this one with the neck through and the heavy strings, it's nice!!!!
ANYONE ELSE HAVE AN AXE DEDICATED TO DROP C?
Posted by: Mith Aug 14 2014, 05:42 AM
I'be got my mockingbird Pro X in drop C. thats my go to Rhythem guitar. My main lead guitar is in D standard with 9 gauge (Oh the craziness) its great for legato work and bending and stuff but you really have to be spot on with ur picking otherwise it gets caught up in the strings. Going to setup my new build guitar in D standard with 10's on there for more of a allround guitar.
In summery, Drop C is the bomb yo
Posted by: AK Rich Aug 14 2014, 08:06 PM
Going off topic here but man, that is a beautiful finish on that guitar Todd! Red is my color. 
Posted by: Caelumamittendum Aug 14 2014, 08:30 PM
I've got my Wolf dedicated to Drop C and have put 12 gauge strings on there. Works wonderful!
Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 15 2014, 05:10 AM
EGAD!!!! I cleaned the frets with my fret "eraser" and added some dunlop neck juice/polish, and then added a set of slink 8 Gauge strings and OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!! This thing plays better than my RG560!!! I can't believe it. I'm taking it OFF ebay. I may never sell it. I'll be using it THIS WEEKEND during our Vid Chat!
Posted by: Mith Aug 15 2014, 06:17 AM
how does that neck eraser go?
beat steel wool?
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 16 2014, 08:18 AM
Yeah - me 
My main axe, a PRS Tremonti is always tuned to Drop C, in order to serve my beloved band - Days of Confusion. Here's a pic from last weekend's gig:
Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 16 2014, 08:38 AM
YUP!! Cleaned up the frets like new! No scratches, no mess, nice!! The metal guide keeps it from rubbing the fretboard. Used some dunlop neck juice and bam, good as new 
beat steel wool?
Cool!! Nice pic too!!!
My main axe, a PRS Tremonti is always tuned to Drop C, in order to serve my beloved band - Days of Confusion. Here's a pic from last weekend's gig:Posted by: Mith Aug 16 2014, 08:40 AM
Drop C gets the ladies
Posted by: Spock Aug 16 2014, 09:32 AM
Can drop C work on a bolt on neck guitar? I was hoping to do that with my PRS Custom 22.
Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 16 2014, 07:57 PM
Sure
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 17 2014, 11:17 AM
Go ahead and try it man! It' will sound amazing
I have played a C22 downtuned to drop C and it totally rocks! Speaking of bolt on axes - I have also tried a Telecaster downtuned to drop C and that one is amazing as well - this one, belonging to my band mate:
Posted by: Spock Aug 17 2014, 11:49 AM
I have played a C22 downtuned to drop C and it totally rocks! Speaking of bolt on axes - I have also tried a Telecaster downtuned to drop C and that one is amazing as well - this one, belonging to my band mate:That is a SWEET looking Tele. If I ever acquire one I'd want it to have a natural finish like that.
Posted by: ElHombre Aug 17 2014, 10:33 PM
great tuning
i use a 7 string now tuned in A flat but thinking maybe it "too much" and "too low"
and remember the days when i created Drop C metal hehe
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 18 2014, 07:19 AM
About 3/4 of our songs are written in drop C and the rest in drop A or a combo of standard B with the thickest string downtuned to G - that's the one we used for Bloodstream.
On the new album, we will most likely have a few songs in drop E - so that's why we'll probably get some extra baritone guitars that we'll tune like that. I wonder what sort of strings would go best with this sort of tuning on a baritone? 12-68s are way too flabby for this, so I was thinking that maybe some 14 - 74?
Posted by: Caelumamittendum Aug 18 2014, 10:59 AM
On the new album, we will most likely have a few songs in drop E - so that's why we'll probably get some extra baritone guitars that we'll tune like that. I wonder what sort of strings would go best with this sort of tuning on a baritone? 12-68s are way too flabby for this, so I was thinking that maybe some 14 - 74?
I tried 13-74 on my 7 string (though not baritone) and it was okay, though not something I'm probably gonna do again. Might work better for you though.
Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 19 2014, 05:26 AM
I changed my DROP C guitar to a pair of SLINKY 8 gauge strings and WOW!!!!!!
I tried the Yngwie 8 gauge string set and HATED THEM!!! So I swore of 8 gauge sets. But the SLINKY 8 gauge are BRILLIANT!!!! Turns the guitar in to a much more expressive instrument. Bends are more controllable and subtle, playability is increased, tone is improved, just WOW!!!!!
I love it so much that I'm going to try Slinky 8s on my other guitars!!!
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 19 2014, 07:31 AM
Most certainly, I will try this. We have a new luthier in the city, which is slowly but surely rising to be the best among them. He's young and skilled and he has a sturdy relationship with a lot of instrument dealers, so he knows a lot about a lot of things.
I am taking my baritone tomorrow at his shop to have it set up properly
I'll let you know what happens afterwards! Thank you for the tip, man!
Posted by: Caelumamittendum Aug 20 2014, 01:01 PM
I am taking my baritone tomorrow at his shop to have it set up properly
I'll let you know what happens afterwards! Thank you for the tip, man!That reminds me that I need to set up and intonate my 6 string in drop C properly. I never got around to it actually.
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 21 2014, 07:07 AM
Uh oh - I took my baritone to that luthier I told you about in the previous post and I am picking the axe up on Friday - he is twice as expensive as the rest of the guys, but I think he's worth the investment. In respect to how my baritone will feel after this visit, I will take the Allender and Tremonti there and I will also let him take care of my old acoustic.
I have inherited a Gibson songwriter copy, made in Romania sometime around 1976
It was kept in mint conditions and I want to re-fret it, install new keys and a Fishman preamp. It will sound amazing and I will most likely keep it in standard, as my Yamaha acoustic sits in C# standard, because apparently, that's a tuning suitable for my voice
Posted by: Caelumamittendum Aug 21 2014, 10:47 AM
I have inherited a Gibson songwriter copy, made in Romania sometime around 1976
It was kept in mint conditions and I want to re-fret it, install new keys and a Fishman preamp. It will sound amazing and I will most likely keep it in standard, as my Yamaha acoustic sits in C# standard, because apparently, that's a tuning suitable for my voice Sounds good, let us know how it turns out!
Maaan...that singing, eh? I still wish I could find somewhere cheap to get lessons. Or I should just try not to care about the fact that my neighboors will hear me. I've been taught the techniques about 10 years ago, and I might not remember them well, but I guess with a little work I could train my voice at home. I'm just always thinking: "What if the neighboors hear me?"
Also, I don't think I've ever heard anyone tune to C# standard, but it makes sense.
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 22 2014, 06:56 AM
Maaan...that singing, eh? I still wish I could find somewhere cheap to get lessons. Or I should just try not to care about the fact that my neighboors will hear me. I've been taught the techniques about 10 years ago, and I might not remember them well, but I guess with a little work I could train my voice at home. I'm just always thinking: "What if the neighboors hear me?"
Also, I don't think I've ever heard anyone tune to C# standard, but it makes sense.
Ah mate, well, if you want my two cents on singing and playing
here's how it goes:- your rhythm skills will grow immensely
- you will develop a great ear
- your voice will be an addition which is irreplaceable in ANY context that involves you being in a band
- you will begin to be able to sense things in a poly rhythmic fashion - I for one am able to hear my voice and the guitar lines, real time while I play. It's almost like pushing the S button in a DAW - you mute the tracks, except for the one you wish to hear
I tuned the axe to C# standard simply because that's a tuning in which my voice sits comfortable for pretty much all the stuff I like to sing and play. I found it by sheer experimenting, so I suggest you do that too
Pick up a song you like and see what key you can sing it best in and tune your guitar accordingly. The whole idea is to have open strings matching the tonality of that certain tune
I'd love to develop the topic with you, as I myself am going through a lot of experiences in respect to it.
Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 22 2014, 06:58 AM
I think the "songwriter" he was talking about was a guitar But you bring up a good point! Any singing that a guitar player brings to the table only enhances his chances with bands/etc and brings other skills with it.
here's how it goes:- your rhythm skills will grow immensely
- you will develop a great ear
- your voice will be an addition which is irreplaceable in ANY context that involves you being in a band
- you will begin to be able to sense things in a poly rhythmic fashion - I for one am able to hear my voice and the guitar lines, real time while I play. It's almost like pushing the S button in a DAW - you mute the tracks, except for the one you wish to hear
I tuned the axe to C# standard simply because that's a tuning in which my voice sits comfortable for pretty much all the stuff I like to sing and play. I found it by sheer experimenting, so I suggest you do that too
Pick up a song you like and see what key you can sing it best in and tune your guitar accordingly. The whole idea is to have open strings matching the tonality of that certain tune
I'd love to develop the topic with you, as I myself am going through a lot of experiences in respect to it.
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 22 2014, 07:20 AM
But you bring up a good point! Any singing that a guitar player brings to the table only enhances his chances with bands/etc and brings other skills with it.Be merciful Todd, it was still early morning when I wrote the post
Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 23 2014, 03:41 AM
Hehehe no worries Just being playful!! Some great info in this thread
Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 27 2014, 01:35 AM
Anyone else found/tried the "Fret Eraser" I"m going to use it on my other ibanez guitars during my next string change. I'm also going to try 8gauge strings on my 7 string guitar to see if it can work. 
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 27 2014, 06:53 AM
Hey Todd!
What does this baby do? Looks like it can clean up frets, correct?
Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 27 2014, 07:57 AM
IT's very handy It's like a big ERASER and you put the metal guide on so that it doesn't erase the wood off of your fret board!!!
I used it on my IBANEZ RGT42 which had 10 years of fret gunk buildup on it. I bought it used and it had been sitting in some guys closet forever. I used the fret eraser and it was quick and easy. It just erased all the fret gunk and smoothed out all the frets. Now the fret board looks/feels brand new!!! Those guitars were $999 new and now it's in brand new shape!
You can get those litte eraser things for 5 or 10 bucks on ebay. Did you make yourself an Ebay account COS? Many vendors will ship internaionally. The sooner you make one, or anybody reading, the better! Building up good feedback on little purchases is very imoprtant. If you want to sell something later, it's the first thing people check.
What does this baby do? Looks like it can clean up frets, correct?
Posted by: Caelumamittendum Aug 27 2014, 11:24 AM
here's how it goes:- your rhythm skills will grow immensely
- you will develop a great ear
- your voice will be an addition which is irreplaceable in ANY context that involves you being in a band
- you will begin to be able to sense things in a poly rhythmic fashion - I for one am able to hear my voice and the guitar lines, real time while I play. It's almost like pushing the S button in a DAW - you mute the tracks, except for the one you wish to hear
I tuned the axe to C# standard simply because that's a tuning in which my voice sits comfortable for pretty much all the stuff I like to sing and play. I found it by sheer experimenting, so I suggest you do that too
Pick up a song you like and see what key you can sing it best in and tune your guitar accordingly. The whole idea is to have open strings matching the tonality of that certain tune
I'd love to develop the topic with you, as I myself am going through a lot of experiences in respect to it.
I think I totally missed your reply here! I was indeed talking about singing and not guitar playing, if I understood Todd's reply correctly. I'd like to develop my singing skills, but it's more so a point of me being a bit afraid to do so with the neighbours in my apartment block. So I need to get over that and just do it.
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 28 2014, 07:12 AM
Mate, just go for it
You don't have to yell like a crazy dude, in the beginning that is I totally recommend Melissa Cross' 'Zen of Screaming' 1 and 2 - the first DVD teaches you vocal technique meant to help you sing normally and the second one emphasizes on extreme techniques.
My favorite and the nicest one as a texture is fry screaming by far
Check out this presentation in which a lot of metal vocalists talk about their experience learning from Melissa:Powered by Invision Power Board (http://www.invisionboard.com)
© Invision Power Services (http://www.invisionpower.com)