• mrjay
  • Senior Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2007-04-19
  • Posts: 174

Topic: Changing Guitar tunings

Hi Chordians,

I hope this is the right place to post this lol. Apologies if it isn't.

Questions:

I've recently been practicing instrumental pieces on my guitar that are in open D tuning. However, most of the music I play is in standard tuning.

First of all, I imagine that constantly switching tunings on your guitar will take its toll on the strings eventually. But how much exactly? I normally change my strings every 2 months, so can I expect to change them more often than that?

Secondly, and more importantly, if I leave my guitar in open D tuning while I'm not playing it, does it have any effect? I ask this because I generally play in standard tuning, and I'm wondering if keeping it for a while in open D will make it sound different when I switch back to Standard. Also, does this physically affect the guitar's body or tuning mechanism in any way? Or is it just the strings?

Thanks for your help,

J.

  • From: Orpington London
  • Registered: 2006-10-22
  • Posts: 390

Re: Changing Guitar tunings

mrjay

no idea

but wild guess

if you add tension to a string to raise the note then the string will sound a little flat when detuned

however i strongly suspect that the effect is marginal if you change strings regularly

of course if you had two guitars..........

johncross21's Website

  • From: A black hole in deep space
  • Registered: 2007-10-28
  • Posts: 7,865

Re: Changing Guitar tunings

mrjay if you leave your guitar in open d tuning or any tuning, slide guitar is generaly tuned to a major or minor chord in the open posistion.almost all guitars can handle at least 60lbs of pressure or more before the string snap or the neck cracks so leave your guitar in any tuning you want,chances are you will have to tune up before you play but you do that anyway. johncross21 says if you had two guitars... yes it would simplifie things that is if you can afford another guitar if not tune it anyway you like and leave it till you want to change to standard tuning your guitar is designed to take it so live and play.

"Growing old is not for sissies"

Russell_Harding's Website

  • From: BELGIUM
  • Registered: 2007-01-27
  • Posts: 3,403

Re: Changing Guitar tunings

Russell There is on thing I like to know, your age, what guitar you use and music you like.
I have collections, PRS GIBSON MARTIN

[color=blue]- GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: TO CONQUER DEAD, YOU HAVE TO DIE[/color]   AND [color=blue] we are born to die[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]

gitaardocphil's Website

  • From: Starkville, Mississippi USA
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 2,069

Re: Changing Guitar tunings

Hi mrjay,
One of my all-time favorite artists plays exclusively in the Open D tuning.

Richie Haven's unconventional playing technique is both bold and subtle - it is the perfect  backing for his incredible voice and dramatic delivery.

Check these sites for Open D tips

"How I Play" on Richie Haven's site:
http://www.richiehavens.com/HM3365.htm
"Wonder Child" video that clearly shows both hands:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdCx-1afCgM

"That darn Pythagorean Comma thing keeps messing me up!"
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagorean_comma[/url]

James McCormick's Website

  • mrjay
  • Senior Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2007-04-19
  • Posts: 174

Re: Changing Guitar tunings

Thanks guys. I appreciate the replies.

My real worry was that the difference of tension in the strings would warp the body or neck somehow. The good thing about open-D is that you tune down certain strings instead of adding tension to them. This tuning is a lot of fun by the way tongue.

As johncross and Russel mentioned, it would probably be best to have two guitars so that I don't have to re-tune constantly. I've been meaning to buy one, and looked at some very interesting models. But now, I'm really getting into finger-style with tapping, slapping, and harmonics (think Andy Mckee, Kotaro Oshio), so I'm re-assessing the qualities of the guitar that I'm searching for. Any recommendations for this type of playing style?

James, I had heard of Richie Haven but never took the time to check him out. What a voice! Thank you for the links, fantastic music and advice.

  • From: A black hole in deep space
  • Registered: 2007-10-28
  • Posts: 7,865

Re: Changing Guitar tunings

gitardocphil i am 66 i have  STRAD.HOHNER ELECTRIC DOBRO,HOUND DOG ELECTRIC AND A 100 YEAR OLD GIBSON MANDOLIN opps i had the caps on sorry i like my own music best but i listen to neil young, harry chapin,gordon lightfoot,bonnie raait,thin lizzy,old less paul and mary ford songs and blugrass i could go on i love all kinds from mozart,willy nelson,gospel songs the list seems endless but as long as im kickin i'll keep on a pickin.

"Growing old is not for sissies"

Russell_Harding's Website

  • From: BELGIUM
  • Registered: 2007-01-27
  • Posts: 3,403

Re: Changing Guitar tunings

A 100 years old GIBSON MANDOLIN??!!! This must be worth a fortune.
I have some "money makers" like a Fender Stratocaster 1964, a couple of PRS EG guitars, manufactured from 1990-1992, a Fender Telecaster, custom made, reissue 1952, only a limited quantity ONLY for Europe.
And a bunch acoustics, doubled in price in 2 years

[color=blue]- GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: TO CONQUER DEAD, YOU HAVE TO DIE[/color]   AND [color=blue] we are born to die[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]

gitaardocphil's Website