Detune Tuning From Hell

Music is about expression, that's what I always say. Regardless if you expess it better or worse, the great thing about music is that it's limitless. Improvise and explore because you'll never know, good things are just a couple of frets down and more.

The Standard Tuning E A D G B E is common, mainstream in a way, and boring at times. So I tried everything to stay away from it. First instinct is to go low by a semitone to Eb. It gives you some slack on the strings and thus affecting playbility and tone. I even did go up to F one time. More tension but more precise intonation I think, and a little bit more aggressive. Then there's the famous drop D that I really liked so much I'd even change the low E string to a heavier gauge. Then there's the C# tuning, just tune down 1 and half tones or 3 frets down. Then there's the B tuning and the freaking Ab and A tuning (Korn?), the drop C#, the drop B, the drop Ab and drop A, the seven-string and the eight-string (Meshugah) and my favorite the C tuning (Petrucci). But these are all are still tuned in the "standard" way the same as the E tuning.

So that's when I got bored. I found a new tuning, well at least it's new for me.I don't care if some bloke will write up "oh yeah I know that I did that when I was still an infant" crap, you know what I mean. Anyway, I found a new tuning that brings back the same feeling when I was starting to play the guitar, the excitement ot it all.

First, radical changes. Second, compromises. Third, bang on!

First I did was I combined 2 sets of strings, the 7string set and the regular 9s. The bottom strings are all wound strings and by the way, I chose D'Addario EXL1107 with gauges 59, 46, 36, 26. I put all four bottom strings on my guitar. Then used the a Wound Gauge 22 and then the high E is a gauge 17. That is the key to this tuning. Horrible? Terrifying! What would you do if you find a guitar with all the bottom 5 strings are wound and heavy.

Second is compromise some of the "standards" and convenience. Talk about bending that second string, right? Troubles with playing a Malmsteem riff ei? Can't seem to do a freaking harmonic scream? Explore... So here's the tuning I've been pushing about: C F Bb Eb F Bb

Yes you read it right, C F Bb Eb F Bb

Now let's digest the maggots. The 4 bottom strings are fairly the standard intervals of a standard tuning. But what gets me going is that the low C isn't low enough to sound like all other death metal bands or to sound like Korn in A. I feel that tuning to C can give me more options because if I want to go heavier, I can go to drop Bb. The fifth string which is a gauge 46 is actually the same gauge that most guitarist play or so I think but it would be the regular low E. In my case it is F. So the fifth string is actually like a regular E tuned up a semitone which gives me more power and aggressiveness. Now let's skip to the 3 high strings. The 2nd string is a whole tone up from the 3rd string. That's why I used a wound gauge 22. Then the 1st string is tuned to the fifth of the 3rd string. Gets?

Here. Playing the high 3 stings open gives you an Ebsus2 chord. No I don't even think I named that right but well, you get an Eb, it's 2nd which is F then it's 5th which is Bb. If you say play open 3rd string, 2nd sring on 2nd fret and open 1st string, then you have an Eb, it's major 3rd and it's 5th. Playing the open 3rd and open 1st strings give you a power chord! Move the 1st string up 2 frets and you'll get the 6th another semitone and you'll get the minor 7th. Hell yeah, I suddenly have access to chord voicings that I would not normally have on a standard interval tuning. By the time I'm writing this, I'm still exploring the voicings that I could do on my 3 high strings. No more boring lead playing, the voicings are there at my disposal.

Third and last is bang on! I know people will shove this article back to my ass for some reason that only their EGO and supposed IQ can tell. But I rest my case, I even have my other guitar set up with 60, 50, 40, 30, 26, 22 strings - all wound and tuned to Bb Eb Ab Db Eb Ab

I would nearly have a 7string guitar and I'm planning on putting this setup to it then tune the 7th string to F or drop Eb. Some would say, "just play a bass" but that throws the excitement out of the window, right? With a longer neck scale, the detuning exploration has no limit's for the guitar.

I'll find a way to fix my recorder and then put some samples. Thanks a lot for reading and hope that I scared the hell out of you.

Comments

[AbsoluteBrick]

Nice article, really interesting and I'll definitely have to try that out!

[AfoHot]

This is pretty cool, I think you failed in scaring me, I think I like it instead Please post some samples soon.

[dark templar]

Thanks to AbsoluteBrick and AfoHot for reading my article. More power to you guys.

[dark templar]

I'll post some samples. Please check my video "NO PEACE" on my youtube site to hear one example of this tuning. Today I've made another change in my setup. I changed the low C string to a low G which is a .085 gauge bass string now. And goddamn it's wicked! I can still do a low C power chord by just using a different fingering structure so to speak. I'll post samples soon. Thanks to all. Please be patient because I may not have that much time online. More power to all!

[rtfk101]

thats nothing compared to my 8 string guitar, tuned to F#, B, E, A, D, G, B, e

[marco-polo]

ot = of ?
second paragraph, before before last word.

[griffo110]

what is the lowest you can tune a 7 string without the lowest string sounding too slack with quite a thick guage string? is it G-C-F-D-E-G-C?

[Bree!Bree!]

"I found a new tuning that brings back the same feeling when I was starting to play the guitar, the excitement ot it all." True.
I tune my guitar to different tunings quite often, i have as well had 5 wound strings on my guitar, played in G# standard and F standard. But I think I have fond a tuning that Im sticking with, B standard. And another thing alot of people dont know. It is impossible to carry a tone any lower then F/Fb on a standard 6 string guitar, maybe even an 7/8 string, the pick ups just cant 'pick up' the frequency.

[Ticky]

N I C E !
i've been using some weird tuning in the past and most people would go "WTF" or whatever but apparently i'm not THAT insane after all

[CapnKickass]

pretty cool

rtfk101 wrote:

thats nothing compared to my 8 string guitar, tuned to F#, B, E, A, D, G, B, e

lol that's just standard 8 string tuning.

[thedarkblues06]

CapnKickass wrote:

pretty coolrtfk101 wrote:

thats nothing compared to my 8 string guitar, tuned to F#, B, E, A, D, G, B, e lol that's just standard 8 string tuning.

I think he was joking...

You should seriously see my 14 string guitar... F# C G Ab D# Bb a# eb G# E b c F# gb

(inb4 flaming and dumb people who think it's not a joke)

[huevos]

thedarkblues06 wrote:

CapnKickass wrote:

pretty coolrtfk101 wrote:

thats nothing compared to my 8 string guitar, tuned to F#, B, E, A, D, G, B, e lol that's just standard 8 string tuning.

I think he was joking...

You should seriously see my 14 string guitar... F# C G Ab D# Bb a# eb G# E b c F# gb

(inb4 flaming and dumb people who think it's not a joke)

i heda forteen stringer meself.

What of Warr guitars? They go up to 12-strings.
(Various other guitars do as well, but idc about those).
There's also 14 (7 double-strung) acoustics, but idk if that counts.

[Draconey]

This is a kewl article, I am going to have to try that with my guitar.

Thanks!

[JBEADAM]

*head 'splodes*

[brush200400]

yeah and your heavy chord voicings sound like shit, especially on the guitar.

[Ibanezrocker800]

thedarkblues06 wrote:

CapnKickass wrote:

pretty coolrtfk101 wrote:

thats nothing compared to my 8 string guitar, tuned to F#, B, E, A, D, G, B, e lol that's just standard 8 string tuning.

I think he was joking...

You should seriously see my 14 string guitar... F# C G Ab D# Bb a# eb G# E b c F# gb

(inb4 flaming and dumb people who think it's not a joke)

are you saying that 8 string guitars don't exist? if that's the case, then read up chap! if you're saying that only YOU are joking, well then i guess i had a little bit of a chuckle.

[THEguitarGOD789]

this is a great article. my personal favorite tunings are Drop C, C G C F A D (low to high) and A G C F A D (low to high)

[dark templar]

There's no limit to guitar construction. There can be a 100-****ing-string guitar for all I care right. My point here is the INTERVALS between the tuning of each strings, not putting as many strings as you can on a guitar. I will have a 7 and an 8 string soon but I will not follow the standard tuning interval. Even if we detune our strings and still we use the "standard" interval of tuning, then it's just detuning.

[dark templar]

The cool thing about alternate tuning is that you can come up with alternate voicings for chords. The cool thing about detuning is that you can come up with heavier tones.

[dark templar]

rtfk101 wrote:

thats nothing compared to my 8 string guitar, tuned to F#, B, E, A, D, G, B, e

That's cool! I'm trying to come up with an alternate tuning for an 8-string, but I have to get myself one first. What's the make of your guitar?

[dark templar]

griffo110 wrote:

what is the lowest you can tune a 7 string without the lowest string sounding too slack with quite a thick guage string? is it G-C-F-D-E-G-C?

using a 24 3/4 scale: a .090 bass string can go as low as G
using a 25 1/2 scale: a .090 bass string can go as low as F#
using a 27 scale: a .090 bass string can go as low as F

Because shorter scales have less tension so lower tunings can sound more slack so to speak. The longer scales have higher tensions so there's more room to go down.

BUT I'M NOT AN EXPERT DUDE, I got this from experimenting. But that's how the pros do it right? Explore my brother and who knows what marvels you can turn up with.

[dark templar]

and btw, I prefer more tension because it allows me to hit the strings harder. and THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG in using bass strings on a regular guitar.

[\m/(-_-)\m/]

Sounds interesting. Can't wait to hear some samples. Meshuggah is one of my favorite bands.

[dark templar]

Bree!Bree! wrote:

"I found a new tuning that brings back the same feeling when I was starting to play the guitar, the excitement ot it all." True.
I tune my guitar to different tunings quite often, i have as well had 5 wound strings on my guitar, played in G# standard and F standard. But I think I have fond a tuning that Im sticking with, B standard. And another thing alot of people dont know. It is impossible to carry a tone any lower then F/Fb on a standard 6 string guitar, maybe even an 7/8 string, the pick ups just cant 'pick up' the frequency.

Yup that's true but I found a way to work around it. Since guitar pickups can't pickup the low freqs, then I routed one of my guitar before and used a BASS PICKUP install diagonally, adjusting for the strings spacing. It worked. But I have to ditch the setup because I got new and better guitar pickups. My point is experiment is the key. Not just because the guitar is made in a "standard" way means we cannot make our own, right? Nothing's wrong going out of the box. Yes, even with a pricey guitar, I will not hesitate to put a router bit to it to get the sound that I want, and more.

[dark templar]

Ticky wrote:

N I C E !
i've been using some weird tuning in the past and most people would go "WTF" or whatever but apparently i'm not THAT insane after all

Yes man. The only thing insane in this world is when we think that something is PERFECT, because nothing is perfect. Nothing good would have turned out if people did not experimented and discovered stuff, right?

More power and share some of your tunings, please.

[dark templar]

Draconey wrote:

This is a kewl article, I am going to have to try that with my guitar.

Thanks!

You're welcome, please let me know how you fair with it.

[dark templar]

brush200400 wrote:

yeah and your heavy chord voicings sound like shit, especially on the guitar.

there's more to voicings than just the tuning, and it's a matter of taste and likes...

[dark templar]

For a sample of the C F Bb Eb F Bb please listen to No Peace on my youtube.com/otep114410 site

[dark templar]

I have a new one, G(.085gauge) F Bb Eb F Ab please check "Listening to Ryyo" and "Remedy from Toogad" and "Feed them your Soul" at my youtube.com/otep114410 site.

[dark templar]

Thanks to all who dropped by and read my article. More power to all.

[dark templar]

I'm saving up resources so I can put up video to back up this article and show you more. Please standby for it. Thanks again.

[dark templar]

\m/(-_\m/ wrote:

Sounds interesting. Can't wait to hear some samples. Meshuggah is one of my favorite bands.

I can't play Meshuggah songs but I can make riffs that may sound like Meshuggah or close to it. I'm not a cover playing type of guy, LOL!

[dark templar]

THEguitarGOD789 wrote:

this is a great article. my personal favorite tunings are Drop C, C G C F A D (low to high) and A G C F A D (low to high)

Thanks for reading and more power.

[DrButterfunk]

I'm inspired to experiment. Thank you.

[sammo_boi]

i have start doing this sorta stuff.

If you lengthen your strings can you go to lower tunings without the strings being too slack?

[07bevanm]

just make sure to adjust your neck to stop the wood from warping

[sammo_boi]

07bevanm wrote:

just make sure to adjust your neck to stop the wood from warping

adjust your neck how?

[Toms' anominous]

I tune in fourths!!! how crazy is that!!!

(joke to anyone who plays violin)

seriously though its a good point you try and make in this article.

[Raider76]

man ive been doing this tuning since i was an infant!!

haha jk...nice article

[TheClincher]

Meh, I thought this was gonna be something different. My 6 string Ibanez RG321 with .11s is tuned to A# F A# D# G C most of the times. Quite a few bands I like use this tuning regularly, such as: Chevelle, Breaking Benjamin, and Red, to name a few.

[dark_rider92]

damn, this is far out there, dude...
props to ya for trying something different! if i ever grow enough balls to try this (for fear of snapping the neck in two), it sounds like it's gonna be heavy as hell...

[decayingdave]

I think I'd like to try something like this when I'm a lot more educated AND when I do have the brains to do it... I think I'll try it on someone else's guitar, seeing as I like my neck as it is!

Good article, you make some decent points.

[TheeMoppyCopter]

HELL YEAH!!
man im gonna hafta try this. im always looking to get a heavier sound outta my guitar but so far the best i can do with it is drop A it :/
i hav fairly shit gear aswell, just a strat (which i swear is invincible) with single coil pickups and a line 6 spider III... im knocking the guitar there not the amp lol...
but anyway, i dig the tone i get out of it most of the time, but im getting shit bored of the standard intervals... this has reaal helped me out man! and you're making a good point in this article too =]

btw... im 13 years old xD

[RedFez64]

Well if you are looking for interesting intervals im shocked no-one has looked up new standard tuning invented by robert fripp.

Or talked about slide tunings like open D etc which while not heavy do give some nice sounds

[Robert I.]

Whats the difference between an 8-string guitar and a mandolin, and what are they usually tuned to?

[Robbbbb]

Robert I. wrote:

Whats the difference between an 8-string guitar and a mandolin, and what are they usually tuned to?

you won't see mike oldfield with an 8-string.

[linus.d]

Robert I. wrote:

Whats the difference between an 8-string guitar and a mandolin, and what are they usually tuned to?

mandolins are tuned as Violins, with double strings on each tone.

Anywho; I usually have my 6 string at B F# B G B e
Three lowest in drop B and three top strings in standard E. It's a quite versatile tuning; I prefer this over a seven string actually

[antisaint182]

I have one of my guitars tuned to G B D G B E dunno if that tuning has a name or anything but usin it ya get the advantages of the lowish powerchords for rhythm playing and the higher notes for some soloing
good article

[dark templar]

DrButterfunk wrote:

I'm inspired to experiment. Thank you.

cool! great! it's more than enough to know that I did something good in my own way

keep it up!

[dark templar]

sammo_boi wrote:

i have start doing this sorta stuff.

If you lengthen your strings can you go to lower tunings without the strings being too slack?

yup that's true, I'm trying to find a way to use the full length of the strings...no success yet but getting there, I think I have to relocate my tailpiece i'm using a tune o matic bridge) and I'm thinking of using a tuning system that will be installed on the body...hope I get the money soon...

[dark templar]

Toms' anominous wrote:

I tune in fourths!!! how crazy is that!!!

(joke to anyone who plays violin)

thanks...i tried tuning in minor 3rds before with an acoustic, haha, it was awesome, all my strings are wound strings

seriously though its a good point you try and make in this article.

[dark templar]

Raider76 wrote:

man ive been doing this tuning since i was an infant!!

haha jk...nice article

thanks man...you must have been one heavy rocking baby then...LOL! more power

[dark templar]

TheClincher wrote:

Meh, I thought this was gonna be something different. My 6 string Ibanez RG321 with .11s is tuned to A# F A# D# G C most of the times. Quite a few bands I like use this tuning regularly, such as: Chevelle, Breaking Benjamin, and Red, to name a few.

try my new one F# E A D E G the bottom string is a .090 bass string
and another one F Db Ab Db Eb F
and this one F C E A G D - .090 .080 .050 .040 all bass strings then the G and D are regular guitar wounds .032 & .022

there's a lot more tunings for a six string guitar

thanks

[dark templar]

dark_rider92 wrote:

damn, this is far out there, dude...
props to ya for trying something different! if i ever grow enough balls to try this (for fear of snapping the neck in two), it sounds like it's gonna be heavy as hell...

you just have to TRUST the TRUSS ROD (oh did I spell that right?) hahaha

break a leg, hmm, break a neck, err, break whatever, i mean ahh forget it : )

let me know how it came out, thanks!

[dark templar]

decayingdave wrote:

I think I'd like to try something like this when I'm a lot more educated AND when I do have the brains to do it... I think I'll try it on someone else's guitar, seeing as I like my neck as it is!

Good article, you make some decent points.

Thanks man. More power.

[dark templar]

TheeMoppyCopter wrote:

HELL YEAH!!
man im gonna hafta try this. im always looking to get a heavier sound outta my guitar but so far the best i can do with it is drop A it :/
i hav fairly shit gear aswell, just a strat (which i swear is invincible) with single coil pickups and a line 6 spider III... im knocking the guitar there not the amp lol...
but anyway, i dig the tone i get out of it most of the time, but im getting shit bored of the standard intervals... this has reaal helped me out man! and you're making a good point in this article too =]

btw... im 13 years old xD

Great! You are absolutely cool dude! 13 was I when I learned how to play an acoustic man. Keep it up and more power.

[dark templar]

RedFez64 wrote:

Well if you are looking for interesting intervals im shocked no-one has looked up new standard tuning invented by robert fripp.

Or talked about slide tunings like open D etc which while not heavy do give some nice sounds

Thanks for the info. I was frustrated not being able to find good stuff on the net but now I have a window opened for Robert Fripp...thanks man

[dark templar]

antisaint182 wrote:

I have one of my guitars tuned to G B D G B E dunno if that tuning has a name or anything but usin it ya get the advantages of the lowish powerchords for rhythm playing and the higher notes for some soloing
good article

I'm gonna try your tuning when I'm done here, thanks, looks cool and bet it would sound great.

[dark templar]

TO EVERYONE,

Thanks for reading my article and hopefully listening to some of my riffs and all the utter nonsense in between my music.

If the world would only allow six strings on a guitar, then how will you tune it to get the sound that will kill you? That's my thought when I wrote this. Having a 7 or 8 string guitar tuned to standard intervals just gives you, well, an added string, up or down. But even if I would have a 7 or 8 string, I will not tune standard, and many more. Fanned frets? Varied scale? A different neck structure? A different string setup? Lots more...not enough life to explore it all.

Kudos and more power to all. Keep the rock hot and the metal burning! There ain't no music like HEAVY MUSIC!

[420ismybday]

wow...the thing i does is experiment with strings like a twelve string guitar(acoutical with amp) and use acoustic string mixed in with electric gives it a really good sound when using detuning methods like this one... and it really helps you find tuning variations and helps with solo's.

[dark templar]

420ismybday wrote:

wow...the thing i does is experiment with strings like a twelve string guitar(acoutical with amp) and use acoustic string mixed in with electric gives it a really good sound when using detuning methods like this one... and it really helps you find tuning variations and helps with solo's.

great idea, how did you set it up?

[FireBirdKing]

rtfk101 wrote:

thats nothing compared to my 8 string guitar, tuned to F#, B, E, A, D, G, B, e

thats standard..8 string...

[dark templar]

FireBirdKing wrote:

rtfk101 wrote:

thats nothing compared to my 8 string guitar, tuned to F#, B, E, A, D, G, B, e

thats standard..8 string...

hell yeah, that's standard rtfk101, I can have that tuning hanging on any given guitar store, that tuning is what I'm trying to work around with, the regular intervals, the standard E A D G B e is still there. try this one, i'm serious, A B C D E F...A B C are wound strings, it will have that 7-string low end, then the D E F are plain. Think about how a Bm chord can sound from that.

BTW, thanks FireBirdKing

[DanielGibbons]

next time i buy strings im trying this cool article

[Kill'emall 83]

rtfk101 wrote:

thats nothing compared to my 8 string guitar, tuned to F#, B, E, A, D, G, B, e

Is there such thing?

[dark templar]

Kill'emall 83 wrote:

rtfk101 wrote:

thats nothing compared to my 8 string guitar, tuned to F#, B, E, A, D, G, B, e

Is there such thing?

yes there is. check out Ibanez.

[new_age_reject]

One of my favourites is Open Dsus4... at least I think it's that.
It's the one Andy Mckee uses in Drifting anyway.