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GMC Forum _ GEAR & PRODUCTION _ Drop Tuning (a#?) (newbie)

Posted by: AJRAD Jun 3 2008, 08:32 PM

Right I've never drop tuned my guitar before.
I want to play some In Flames songs, and I saw that they're in a weird tuning:
A# F A# D# G C from thickest to thinnest

I have a few questions

1) Is this A# tuning?

2) Could it damage my guitar in any way?

3) I don't know what gauge strings I have, how do I find out?

btw I have an ESP LTD AX-50 if that changes anything

Posted by: Nick325 Jun 3 2008, 08:40 PM

1) im not so great at tunings i really only play in E and sometimes Drop D so let someone else answer it

2) no it cant damage your guitar

3) do you still have the package of the strings? or is it still the first set that came with guitar?

Note: if you have light string gauge your strings will be floppy when you downtune

Posted by: rockztar Jun 3 2008, 08:40 PM

1.Thinks its drop A# (WOW THats low)

2. if its set up right it should´t

3.would use a very heavy string gauge

hope im to help=)

Posted by: Moon Boots Jun 3 2008, 08:41 PM

Assuming you don't have a floating bridge it should be fine, but your strings will be seriously loose if the guitars tuned that low.

Posted by: AJRAD Jun 3 2008, 08:43 PM

Yes they are the strings that came with the guitar and I don't know where to find out what gauge they are.

"If its set up right it shouldnt"... how do I know if it is? I've not messed with anything like truss rods.

I suppose I could see if they are the right sort of gauge by seeing if they're floppy when I downtune but I'm just scared of hurting my guitar :\

Oh and floating bridge I'm not sure.. what else could it be and how do I tell?

Posted by: skennington Jun 3 2008, 08:46 PM

As others have said, yes Drop A tuning. You are basically on the bass stave at this point with a tuning that low. I recently went to Drop C for a few things and found with a .009 set of strings, they were pretty loose, still playable but I'd imagine at that tunning you would need to go to a heavier gauge.

Posted by: rockztar Jun 3 2008, 08:49 PM

QUOTE (AJRAD @ Jun 3 2008, 09:43 PM)

I mean if for example you had a floating bridge, or something like that, you should adjust it to the tuning

EDIT spelling

Posted by: Nick325 Jun 3 2008, 08:49 PM

if you got another set with your guitar you can check on the packages it should say 9, 10, 11 etc

Posted by: ZakkWylde Jun 3 2008, 08:53 PM

This tuning is called drop A#. In Flames play mostly in C-standard tuning: C F A# D# G C. Sometimes they drop the low C another full step to A# (like from E standard to drop D). It can not damage your guitar but you may need to ajust the truss rod because there will be less tension for your strings. Gauges: 10-52 if you want to solo, 11-54 if you play rythm only.

Advice: The ldt -50 series have pretty weak humbuckers that can not deal with these low tunings very well, it might sound a bit fuzzy with your stock pickups.

Posted by: AJRAD Jun 3 2008, 09:20 PM

QUOTE (ZakkWylde @ Jun 3 2008, 08:53 PM)

This tuning is called drop A#. In Flames play mostly in C-standard tuning: C F A# D# G C.

Most of the tabs I've found have been in drop A#. But hang on C standard tuning looks the same as drop A# except with a C instead of A#.
Anyway I don't think I'm going that low just yet and I don't really want to touch the scary truss rod, maybe when I next get strings I'll get some thick gauge ones (any disadvantages of that?)

Anyway thanks for your help everyone.
Gonna go look for In Flames songs in a normal-ish tuning now

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jun 3 2008, 09:24 PM

Dropped A# - recommend even thicker strings, like maybe 11-57 or even 60 set.