Question regarding Downtuning

Crossed · 12-21-2009, 10:11 PM

I've been playing guitar for about 2 years now, and i currently own an ESP H-500. Nothing special, but a decent guitar nonetheless. The problem is everytime i tune down,(even just a half step down or to D) the strings are severely loose and go out of tune very quickly. I use 11's, and my guitar does not have a floyd rose or lock in tuners. Anyone know how i can make my strings tighter to where it feels closer to standard tuning? (im pretty new to this shit...)

gravityblast · 12-21-2009, 11:30 PM

11s should be fine for D, so I'm guessing your action is too low. Intonation, truss rod tension, and pickup height are some other possible issues...

The sure thing to do is have it set up in D or whatever you're playing in. It's (almost) always a headache to play in a different tuning that what the guitar is set up for...

Winds Of Creation · 01-05-2010, 01:17 AM

It might not be the strings, but I'll make a string suggestion anyway, because I swear by these strings. D'addario XL Nickel Wound Jazz Light Gauge with a wound G. Perfect for tunings from Standard to Dropped A, stay in tune, feel and play great, and sound clean as fuck.

Defeated215 · 01-05-2010, 02:06 PM

i was gonna grab a set of them yesterday but decided not to. next time il give then a try.

gravityblast · 01-19-2010, 11:10 PM

Seconded. I play those, 12-52 without the wound G. Sound great, feel great, hold up great.

diaolosh · 03-26-2011, 06:43 PM

yes its the action.. 11's definitely work for d tuning.. get your guitar set up by a tech

Brute! · 10-11-2011, 12:02 PM

Do you have a feeler gauge?

DeadForever666 · 06-12-2012, 10:22 AM

You definitely want to have an expert do a setup for you, by no means should you try to do it yourself if you don't know what you're doing or it could end up costing you a lot in the long run. If you want to learn how and have the money to spend, I would suggest buying a cheap guitar to learn how to set up on. Also, the general rule is the lower you want to tune, the heavier gauge strings you'll want to use.

GUITAR SHREDDER · 03-27-2013, 04:16 PM

I got a esp to.i tuned down 1/4 of a step
but it stays in tune,but all i do shred!but sounds awesome!
order and esp 80 form a.m.s.
try soling dude!

12-21-2009, 10:11 PM	#1
Crossed ? Join Date: May 2009 Location: Menzoberranzan, NY Posts: 495 Rep Power: 4	Question regarding Downtuning I've been playing guitar for about 2 years now, and i currently own an ESP H-500. Nothing special, but a decent guitar nonetheless. The problem is everytime i tune down,(even just a half step down or to D) the strings are severely loose and go out of tune very quickly. I use 11's, and my guitar does not have a floyd rose or lock in tuners. Anyone know how i can make my strings tighter to where it feels closer to standard tuning? (im pretty new to this shit...)

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12-21-2009, 11:30 PM	#2
gravityblast Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 106 Rep Power: 7	11s should be fine for D, so I'm guessing your action is too low. Intonation, truss rod tension, and pickup height are some other possible issues... The sure thing to do is have it set up in D or whatever you're playing in. It's (almost) always a headache to play in a different tuning that what the guitar is set up for...

01-05-2010, 01:17 AM	#3
Winds Of Creation Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mansfield, CT Posts: 156 Rep Power: 6	It might not be the strings, but I'll make a string suggestion anyway, because I swear by these strings. D'addario XL Nickel Wound Jazz Light Gauge with a wound G. Perfect for tunings from Standard to Dropped A, stay in tune, feel and play great, and sound clean as fuck.

01-05-2010, 02:06 PM	#4
Defeated215 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: philadelphia Posts: 62 Rep Power: 4	i was gonna grab a set of them yesterday but decided not to. next time il give then a try.

01-19-2010, 11:10 PM	#5
gravityblast Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 106 Rep Power: 7	Seconded. I play those, 12-52 without the wound G. Sound great, feel great, hold up great.

03-26-2011, 06:43 PM	#6
diaolosh Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 16 Rep Power: 0	yes its the action.. 11's definitely work for d tuning.. get your guitar set up by a tech

10-11-2011, 12:02 PM	#7
Brute! Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 18 Rep Power: 0	Do you have a feeler gauge?

06-12-2012, 10:22 AM	#8
DeadForever666 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 9 Rep Power: 0	You definitely want to have an expert do a setup for you, by no means should you try to do it yourself if you don't know what you're doing or it could end up costing you a lot in the long run. If you want to learn how and have the money to spend, I would suggest buying a cheap guitar to learn how to set up on. Also, the general rule is the lower you want to tune, the heavier gauge strings you'll want to use.

03-27-2013, 04:16 PM	#9
GUITAR SHREDDER Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 39 Rep Power: 0	I got a esp to.i tuned down 1/4 of a step but it stays in tune,but all i do shred!but sounds awesome! order and esp 80 form a.m.s. try soling dude!