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I agree with all those reasons...very good. But many groups just do it because their lead singer can not hit the notes with standard tuning. A perfect example would be Van Halen. With Roth, they tuned down a half (and sometimes a whole) step because his range was different than Sammy's (where most of the time they tuned standard). While this is only one reason alternate tuning is used, there are many more. That lower, deeper sound is one. Then look at Alice in Chains...their tuning (like on Man in the Box) is Drop-D (both E strings) and an F in there too. Alternate tunings make for some awesome sound...and an easier time for a lead singer...
Rock on!
Even though my first love is the electric...I love playing an acoustic guitar. Just like many others have stated...it's up to you what you like. Even the most expensive and quality acoustic guitar may have issues and may not be perfect. Just go to your guitar store, play several and get the one that you love. Personally, I like Breedloves and Takamines (since I have those), but I have played many and many are good (Martins, Taylors, Gibsons and Epis). It's up to you! I would try a Breedlove though. They are extremely good and play amazingly. Rock on!
Just putting on new strings, tuning them up and being done isn't enough. When you put them on (with enough wrap to secure them on the tuner shafts), you still need to stretch them. As bootlegger stated...tug on them!! Tune them up a little (almost to pitch). When you're done, "fret" the top string on the second fret, place your finger (picking hand) under it over the body (pick ups or sound hole) and tug it upwards two or three times. Do the same with every string you have just put on. Re-tune. Then...do the same thing, "fretting" the tugged string on the 10th or 12th fret. Re-tune again. By now...you should be able to tune them up and stay in tune. If not...stretch the heck out of 'em again and start over. Eventually, you will not have any issues. Rock on!
I have my junk plastered on my signature below...but I'll write 'em down again here, because it's so fun...
Gibson Les Paul Studio (black): Customized - Removed the Hum-cancellers off the pick-ups, removed gold hardware and replaced with black chrome (bridge, tail-piece). Replaced bridge pup with a Dimarzio Super Distortion, custom pick guard(s), custom set-up.
Schecter C1 Hellraiser (black cherry) - (no Floyd Rose).
Breedlove Atlas series 6-string acoustic.
Takamine G-series 12-string acoustic/electric.
As stated already...the pick is a personal preference. I like to think of a pick as I think of the style of music I'm playing. A hard pick for hard stuff and a soft pick for soft stuff. I use a Gator Grip (.96mm), which is hard, for most of my ROCK playing on my electrics. I like a Tortex .50 or .60 (flexible) for my acoustic stuff and also use an EB3 pik (about like a Tortex .50mm). The lower the number, the more flexible it is. A .96mm is stiff. A .50mm is nice and flexible. You can find your favorite at your local shop. Thing is too....picks are fairly cheap, so you can buy several different kinds and find the one you like best. Rock on!
Hey bobhoops. Wow...there are so many really good replies here and many are right on the money. I would add that I started out with a dirt-cheap electric and crappy amp. I learned a lot on those bad boys and then moved up a little every so often. I'm still not all that good, but I have good equipment and good friends to play with, although I started out with really low-end stuff for many years. And I know people that have really cheap, crappy stuff, that I've heard a really awesome player make sound like the most expensive amp/guitar in the world. It does make a difference to have top-notch equipment, but it will not make you a good player overnight. Poor stuff can always sound good with a great player and great stuff will sound just like you sound on the stuff you have now. You can learn on a mediocre set-up and then, when you get better, you can buy yourself a great set-up...and you will know more stuff so trying it out will be better too. Not knowing what you like to play, there are too many things out there to suggest something just for you. I think you should keep playing and when the time is right...go to your nearest guitar place and start playing (also start making a lasting friendship) and find the guitar of your dreams. Rock on!
I agree with Bootlegger about the intonation and the strings, but dead/old strings can be confusing...at least with some. Personally, I change my strings out when they sound flat. Weird as it is, I prefer older, worn-in strings to new strings. Not that new strings are bad, but I like the tone I get from older strings. This is only to some extent though. When they get too old, they become flat and don't really sound "in tune". Depends on your playing and your ear. Change them when they don't seem to tune up right and they sound kinda dead (different compared to week-old strings that you have stretched and broken in good) or when they are nasty or corroded and will not clean good. With playing and practice, you will develop your own method for changing strings and you will know when to do it. It's all part of the journey. Rock on!
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