|
|
Post by andy on Jan 5, 2009 14:47:47 GMT -5
For a long while I have been sure I had the memory of a rule-of-thumb for adjusting string gauge to up or down tuning for alternate or baritone tunings. It was something like a gauge per tone, i.e. dropping the pitch by one tone was enough to warrant raising the string gauge by one standard increment, so high E down to D would take you from a 0.10 to a 0.11 to retain a similar tension, and vice versa for raising pitch.
Or was it a gauge per tone? That must be a bit much. Or was it something else? Is there any regular correlation between the two? Man, I can't remember- I might even have dreamed it!
Has anyone got a rough way of keeping tension when odd-tuning?
|
|
|
|
Post by cynical1 on Jan 5, 2009 16:31:05 GMT -5
The prevailing wisdom, as I recall, would be a string gauge for every semi-tone you drop. This, like cigars, is a topic widely open to debate... IE: E = .010 Eb = .011 D = 0.12 Db = .013 ...etc...etc... I did find this clever little on-line calculator which will calc the string tension on any given tuning. It works in metric/kg and inches/lbs. Happy Trails Cynical One |
|
|
|
Post by andy on Jan 6, 2009 15:50:36 GMT -5
Thanks for that! Now I've seen it I think it may have come up somewhere else on here in the past. I can't find where, but either way, that will come in handy for working things out. I might just get my first guitar out of the loft and tune it to baritone tuning for a bit of fun. I would prefer a Duane Eddy sort of a sound, but as it is a (stuffy old!) Les Paul with a basswood body and some recent Epiphone pickups in it, it might be more 'machine gun' than 'Peter Gunn'.  |
|
|
|
Post by cynical1 on Jan 6, 2009 19:09:17 GMT -5
Andy - You're entirely welcome. Too bad the little app doesn't go past a .056 string...would be nice to calc a bass out too... Oh yeah, one more thing...  Happy Trails Cynical One |
|
|
|
Post by andy on Jan 7, 2009 14:03:39 GMT -5
;D ;D Alright then, Les. Enough is enough, I take it all back! Seriously though, in some ways it is almost a shame that his name is so associated with one of the defining electric guitars of all time, as it overshadows his other innovations in tape looping and overdubs, and some truly outstanding playing. He even seems like a lovely, entertaining fellow, even in his 90s, although I'm just basing that observation on video clips! Got to take your hat off to the guy. Have you seen this? In case you don't dig the style or the old-school showbiz stuff, the solo starts at about 1 minute in. uk.youtube.com/watch?v=7iGXP_UBog4 |
|
|
|
Post by andy on Jan 9, 2009 20:06:35 GMT -5
As coincedence would have it, there was a documentary on tonight about Les Paul. Sounds like he really had a huge influence on the whole world of recording, as profoundly as that he had on guitars and the music they could produce. The music industry would be a very different place had he not been around.
|
|
|
|
Post by cynical1 on Jan 10, 2009 10:55:01 GMT -5
Andy - I doubt you folks saw this in the UK, but I thought you'd like this old Coor's commercial. Happy Trails Cynical One |
|
|
|
Post by cynical1 on Jan 10, 2009 16:29:26 GMT -5
...and just one more...for all those that think Les Paul can't rock... This is an one with Les and Jeff Beck together. The video is a bit fuzzy, the audio ain't great, but to see the two of them play and clown around is worth it. Happy Trails Cynical One |
|
|
|
Post by andy on Jan 10, 2009 20:14:02 GMT -5
Nice couple of videos! Coors has only really been common here for a little while- we usually drink our beer a lot warmer and flatter than that! We've been digging cool, fizzy guitar for years though. |
|
