Tuning Idea

distressed_romeo · 12-06-2005, 05:44 AM

I just thought of this tuning last night, and was wondering if anyone's ever tried it...

C F Bflat Eflat G C F

Just C Standard with a high F on the top...use an eight or a nine gauge string for the high F and I don't see any reason why it shouldn't work!
I know the 'extra high string' idea's been around for a while; didn't Wes Borland use unison C#s on the top of his seven? Of course, the infamous Maestro Alex Gregory apparently mananaged to make a High A seven string, but I doubt that's going to be practical on a normal guitar (his had some sort of special arrangement on the headstock to stop the high A being put under too much tension...I also heard he used a 6 gauge string on top!).
Anyone else thought about this concept?

eleven59 · 12-06-2005, 07:29 AM

I've used that tuning (CFBbEbGCF), works nicely if you don't have extremely thick strings (i.e. works nice with a 60 or lower for me, but don't want to try with my 65).

forelander · 12-06-2005, 11:37 AM

if string tension/snapping is a problem, why not tune the other strings down and use a capo?

distressed_romeo · 12-06-2005, 11:41 AM

I've used the capo idea before...for C or D tuning on a six string I often just slap a capo on my baritone guitar (tuned to B flat most of the time). The problem with that idea is that I've never found a capo that fits a seven, and you lose all the high notes...

chronicinsomnia · 12-06-2005, 11:53 AM

Most 12 string capo's fit a 7 string guitar. I have a Kyser version that is 1/2 an inch longer than the regular 6 string version. Works nicely on a 7.

Laren · 12-06-2005, 12:40 PM

my normal run of a mill capo fits on the 12th fret of my rg7260

Leon · 12-06-2005, 01:38 PM

my Kyser capo fits my RG7621 beautifully, as if it were made for it!

tongueofcolicab · 12-06-2005, 03:33 PM

wes borland tuned his seven strings to C# F# B E G# C# C#...i personally love the tuning. yeah if you're gonna go with the high F, i'd get thicker strings than a 65.

Karl Hungus · 12-07-2005, 01:47 AM

Yeah, I believe that Doctor J has his LTD 7 String tuned that way, don't think he had any problems.

bostjan · 12-07-2005, 06:25 AM

i have a samick seven string that i keep tuned standard plus high g (e. a. d g b e' g') using an .008" g.

this tuning facilitates some more piano-like voicing on the treble side of things, while leaving familiar ground everywhere else.

but if you want to tune down, i wouldn't expect any snappage tuning to f.

keep in mind that a steel guitar has a longer scale length and uses an .011" for a g#.

eleven59 · 12-07-2005, 01:40 PM

When I tuned it like that (the C tuning with high-F) I was using 10-52s with a 60 for the low string.

Metal Ken · 12-07-2005, 01:51 PM

well, yeah, you're really only tuning the high stirng a 1/2 step sharp, so a 9 or 10 would be fine.

Digital Black · 12-07-2005, 10:42 PM

I've been toying with the idea of having a high A. I'm going to have to find the lightest gauge of stings to try this though..

distressed_romeo · 12-08-2005, 06:49 AM

I heard D'Addario still make a 0.007 gauge string that you can order. Not sure if that's true as I couldn't find any mention of it on the website.

dpm · 12-08-2005, 06:52 AM

I use a high F because I tune all fourths (BEADGCF), as does Gojira. A .009 at F feels similar to a .010 at E. Hope that helps!

12-06-2005, 05:44 AM	#1
distressed_romeo Melnibonean Metal! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Melnibone (duh!) Posts: 10,625 Thanked: 230	Tuning Idea I just thought of this tuning last night, and was wondering if anyone's ever tried it... C F Bflat Eflat G C F Just C Standard with a high F on the top...use an eight or a nine gauge string for the high F and I don't see any reason why it shouldn't work! I know the 'extra high string' idea's been around for a while; didn't Wes Borland use unison C#s on the top of his seven? Of course, the infamous Maestro Alex Gregory apparently mananaged to make a High A seven string, but I doubt that's going to be practical on a normal guitar (his had some sort of special arrangement on the headstock to stop the high A being put under too much tension...I also heard he used a 6 gauge string on top!). Anyone else thought about this concept?

12-06-2005, 07:29 AM	#2
eleven59 Free Agent Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,739 Thanked: 149	I've used that tuning (CFBbEbGCF), works nicely if you don't have extremely thick strings (i.e. works nice with a 60 or lower for me, but don't want to try with my 65). __________________ Aaron VanDuynhoven on Myspace Aaron VanDuynhoven on Facebook Your Extended Network

12-06-2005, 11:53 AM	#5
chronicinsomnia ss.org Regular Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 25 Thanked: 0	Most 12 string capo's fit a 7 string guitar. I have a Kyser version that is 1/2 an inch longer than the regular 6 string version. Works nicely on a 7. __________________ www.chronicinsomnia.com

12-06-2005, 12:40 PM	#6
Laren Symphonic Black Metal! Join Date: May 2005 Location: England Posts: 288 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	my normal run of a mill capo fits on the 12th fret of my rg7260 __________________ If they mass produce dinos 8 string, i'm getting one for sure!

12-06-2005, 01:38 PM	#7
Leon {##[====:::. • Super Moderator • Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Nebula, Ohio Posts: 12,262 Thanked: 81	my Kyser capo fits my RG7621 beautifully, as if it were made for it! __________________

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12-06-2005, 11:37 AM	#3
forelander you fail me Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 1,225 Thanked: 12	if string tension/snapping is a problem, why not tune the other strings down and use a capo?

12-06-2005, 11:41 AM	#4
distressed_romeo Melnibonean Metal! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Melnibone (duh!) Posts: 10,625 Thanked: 230	I've used the capo idea before...for C or D tuning on a six string I often just slap a capo on my baritone guitar (tuned to B flat most of the time). The problem with that idea is that I've never found a capo that fits a seven, and you lose all the high notes...

12-06-2005, 03:33 PM	#8
tongueofcolicab kali is the sweethog Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: new jersey Posts: 56 Thanked: 0	wes borland tuned his seven strings to C# F# B E G# C# C#...i personally love the tuning. yeah if you're gonna go with the high F, i'd get thicker strings than a 65.

12-07-2005, 01:47 AM	#9
Karl Hungus I'm your huckleberry Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ireland Posts: 4,153 Thanked: 217	Yeah, I believe that Doctor J has his LTD 7 String tuned that way, don't think he had any problems. __________________ "Does the brain control you or are you controlling the brain? I don't know if I'm in charge of mine." - Karl Pilkington

12-07-2005, 06:25 AM	#10
bostjan Spastic Kitchen! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 6,096 Thanked: 8	i have a samick seven string that i keep tuned standard plus high g (e. a. d g b e' g') using an .008" g. this tuning facilitates some more piano-like voicing on the treble side of things, while leaving familiar ground everywhere else. but if you want to tune down, i wouldn't expect any snappage tuning to f. keep in mind that a steel guitar has a longer scale length and uses an .011" for a g#.

12-07-2005, 01:40 PM	#11
eleven59 Free Agent Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,739 Thanked: 149	When I tuned it like that (the C tuning with high-F) I was using 10-52s with a 60 for the low string. __________________ Aaron VanDuynhoven on Myspace Aaron VanDuynhoven on Facebook Your Extended Network

12-07-2005, 01:51 PM	#12
Metal Ken Hates the Air • Super Moderator • Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 17,673 Thanked: 81	well, yeah, you're really only tuning the high stirng a 1/2 step sharp, so a 9 or 10 would be fine. __________________ Since the Bible and the church are obviously mistaken in telling us where we came from, how can we trust them to tell us where we are going? Didn't you say... Jesus was coming?

12-07-2005, 10:42 PM	#13
Digital Black Divinitus Infallibilis Join Date: May 2004 Location: Cleveland , Ohio Posts: 5,323 Thanked: 20	I've been toying with the idea of having a high A. I'm going to have to find the lightest gauge of stings to try this though.. __________________ Born of Fire//--\\ Consumed by it Divinitus Infallibilis

12-08-2005, 06:49 AM	#14
distressed_romeo Melnibonean Metal! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Melnibone (duh!) Posts: 10,625 Thanked: 230	I heard D'Addario still make a 0.007 gauge string that you can order. Not sure if that's true as I couldn't find any mention of it on the website.

12-08-2005, 06:52 AM	#15
dpm Oni Guitars Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Posts: 3,165 Thanked: 21	I use a high F because I tune all fourths (BEADGCF), as does Gojira. A .009 at F feels similar to a .010 at E. Hope that helps!

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Tuning Idea