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Posted by: dsanc89 Dec 17 2009, 03:48 PM

Hey guys,

First off, I want to apologize to all administrators if this topic is in the wrong section of the Forums. And secondly, I have two questions

I'm about to ask this question in a rather strange and kind of childish manner, but I don't know how to go about asking these things, so I'll just try to say it. Getting preliminary information out the way, I'm a rock-head at heart. I love those low tuned riffs that just make your head bop up and down, getting you in the mood. I'm always afraid to experiment (which is BAD!) and I feel that Standard Tuning is too "bright" or "happy" in sound. People tell me not to be fooled, because you can still create those head-bopping riffs even in Standard Tuning, which I'm sure is true. I've also heard some actually say that tuning really doesn't even matter (which surprised me a lot because I didn't really agree with that).

I know I'm going a bit all over the place here, but please stay with me here. I want to re-create with my guitar, the sounds that those modern day rock bands create with their instruments. What I'm referring to specifically are those low voiced deep sounds that sound really really "rocky." Just reiterating again, people said that as long as you have the right gear, you can sound as "rocky" as those dropped tuned with the normal tuning. My question is if that is true or not?

If it is, what gear can I get that'll make my sounds have a lot of "bite" to them and just "aggressive"?
If it isn't true...I want to experiment with a drop tuning. I was thinking Drop Db/C#. I have an affinity towards Db/C#. I just love that key. So what kind of strings (gauge, material, brand) should I get for it? Thanks in advance guys!

Posted by: Sensible Jones Dec 17 2009, 04:01 PM

Several options here!!!
Record in standard tuning and then drop it to whatever you want in your DAW, Heavier strings and dropped tunings, Baritone Guitar or get a 7 string which will give you a B below your bottom E!

Posted by: ZakkWylde Dec 17 2009, 04:03 PM

Some examples of the bands you want to sound like would be really helpfull!

for Drop C# I would use 10-52 strings if you solo a lot or 11-54 if you are more of a rythm player and want a tighter sound. Ernie Ball is my favourite brand of strings but that's really up to preferance...

How to get the sound you are aiming for can only be answered if we get an example of what sounds you are speaking about!!

Posted by: CathShadow Dec 17 2009, 04:05 PM

QUOTE (ZakkWylde @ Dec 17 2009, 06:03 PM)

Posted by: dsanc89 Dec 17 2009, 05:46 PM

The best example off the top of my head of a band that uses that tuning (Drop Db/C#) is this young band called There For Tomorrow. They're pretty poppy-alternative rock. You can check out one of their tracks called "Wish You Away" on this link: http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/MZZusN12958/

I really dig the aggressiveness of the intro to that song and I feel that it's even more accentuated by the tuning they're using. Their sound would be pretty darn on point to what I would want to create in terms of mine.

Is this a good enough example of what I meant?

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 19 2009, 03:28 AM

"and I feel that Standard Tuning is too "bright" or "happy" in sound."

One example where standard tuning can sound pretty heavy is this: imo

Posted by: Adrian Figallo Dec 19 2009, 06:41 AM

hey there, well im recording now with my band, and we tune the guitar and bass one step down, on D, i love this tuning, i use and hybrid set of ernie balls, 11 for the 3 heavier strings, and 10 for the thinner ones.

i love the open D chord, and i love the open D on the bass too.

But specially i love the tension of the strings, that's why we get down there

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Dec 20 2009, 03:55 AM

For dropped Db you can try Daddario EXL116 11-52 set.