Best guitars for drop tuning???

ZarK · 2010-04-15T19:51:54+00:00

Hi Guys Thanks to a few factors including my new guitars, karma and the inspiration I've received through Guitar Forum and it's members, it looks like I'm i...

Best guitars for drop tuning???

ZarK

I haven't yet. I'll take your word that they're good! I'd like to spend as little as possible as these guitars will only be used for certain songs with alternate tuning. I'll check out the less expensive RGA's, though. These guitars won't replace my main guitars, they just need to have half decent tone, good playability and most importantly: tuning stability. I'll probably go for a fixed bridge as all my electrics have floyed rose's...

AlanRatcliffe

Fixed bridge is a good idea. Through neck is nice for downtuning too - the lowest notes always seem to hang together better without flubbing out. ESP maybe? I've seen some of their models that fit the bill and quite attractively priced.

ZarK

Thanks again for the input. I'm going to check out some ESP LTD's and PRS SE's out tomorrow when I pick up a few packs of 12 gauge... I'll also see what else is available...

ZarK

So far the PRS SE Mark Tremonti and Paul Allender have most of my attention. Solid Guitars at low prices....

Any other suggestions are welcomed! ?

Een

ZarK wrote: So far the PRS SE Mark Tremonti and Paul Allender have most of my attention. Solid Guitars at low prices....

The Allender is nice, but I thought you didnt want another Flawed Rose guitar? ?
I suppose if you keep it tuned in the same key it wouldn't be a problem though.

ZarK

Een wrote:
ZarK wrote: So far the PRS SE Mark Tremonti and Paul Allender have most of my attention. Solid Guitars at low prices....
The Allender is nice, but I thought you didnt want another Flawed Rose guitar? ?
I suppose if you keep it tuned in the same key it wouldn't be a problem though.

I went and played the PRS's again today. The Tremonti is solid but instead of getting two of those, I just might get one and an Allender as well... I played the old Allender today, which came with a normal tremolo, and it rocks! The neck is super fast. The new one has floyd and EMG's... I'd prefer to go fixed bridge, though... Gotta sell one of my guitars first to buy them though...

BMU

My opinion, you don't need anything special to downtune. Use what you have unless of course you *want* to buy something new. ?

Thicker strings, re-balance the trem and adjust the truss rod if necessary. Or even better imo, shove a piece of wood behind the tremblock to eliminate the need for a trem re-balance.

Malkav

just my 2 cents ? IBANEZ RGD to dominate all drop tuning ?

but seriously I rate seven strings are always a great call cause they let you play lower without F***ing up your harmonic alignment ?

and just out of interest you can always go to a bothners and ask for a cort NZS-1 they're the Neil Zaza signature, fixed bridge - seymour duncan pickups (59 & Custom Custom) - Ebony Fretboard - sperzel locking machineheads - 16mm quilted maple cap - american basswood body. This thing would kick ass at drop tuning owing to the rigidity of construction and because of all the brightness the ebony on maple creates (this is important cause most S.A bands that drop tune don't realise how important clarity is and tend to have pretty shite guitar tone), and because the pickups are medium output which will probably yield much fuller rhythm sounds with more dynamics. Harmonics practically bet to come out of this guitar and instead of paying R 7500 for it you can generally pick em up new for around R 3500 cause bothners can't seem to get rid of them ? cause they've got a silly fretmarker, if you can ignore that though it's a great axe ? and it comes with a bag ?

ZarK

Chad Adam Browne wrote: just my 2 cents ? IBANEZ RGD to dominate all drop tuning ?

but seriously I rate seven strings are always a great call cause they let you play lower without F***ing up your harmonic alignment ?

and just out of interest you can always go to a bothners and ask for a cort NZS-1 they're the Neil Zaza signature, fixed bridge - seymour duncan pickups (59 & Custom Custom) - Ebony Fretboard - sperzel locking machineheads - 16mm quilted maple cap - american basswood body. This thing would kick ass at drop tuning owing to the rigidity of construction and because of all the brightness the ebony on maple creates (this is important cause most S.A bands that drop tune don't realise how important clarity is and tend to have pretty shite guitar tone), and because the pickups are medium output which will probably yield much fuller rhythm sounds with more dynamics. Harmonics practically bet to come out of this guitar and instead of paying R 7500 for it you can generally pick em up new for around R 3500 cause bothners can't seem to get rid of them ? cause they've got a silly fretmarker, if you can ignore that though it's a great axe ? and it comes with a bag ?

AT R3500 with those specs and pups, I definately have to check one out asap... Thanx!

Malkav

The Ibanez RGD320 is also a cool idea, with their extended scale length etc, they retail for R4 999 ?

blackie

Any reputable brand with a reputation for good build quality and stable woods will do the job, with one proviso: Pick the simplest fixed bridge structure possible (ala PRS hardtail bridges).