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Sorry not sure if this topic belongs in the off topic section, but since it involves guitars I thought I'd post it here...

Anyway which tuning do you guys prefer for metal? Drop D or Drop C?

Neither. I prefer 7 string standard B, or C# standard.

Drop D or standard, now-a-days I'm only playing in standard. I'm trying to master this tuning better before I do a lot of messing around with other tunings.

Rock On ~ Kac

7 string standard, standard, and sometimes drop-d.


Originally Posted by Kac

I'm trying to master this tuning better before I do a lot of messing around with other tunings.

youll be at it forever


Originally Posted by ex-250youll be at it forever

Sounds good to me.


Originally Posted by krankguitarist7 string standard, standard, and sometimes drop-d.

Same here, though I really only use Drop-D with any regularity on my acoustic.

I'm getting some serious GAS for a 7 now

I agree with mastering standard tuning first, but no matter what alternate tuning you choose, don't forget to tweak the trussrod and re-intonate, because downtuning scrambles the intonation, making some chord voicings sour. Also, if you go up a string gauge, or two, the nut slots need to be re-cut, otherwise your strings won't sit right in the slots, and will probably bind, creating bad tuning issues.


Originally Posted by GearjoneserI agree with mastering standard tuning first, but no matter what alternate tuning you choose, don't forget to tweak the trussrod and re-intonate, because downtuning scrambles the intonation, making some chord voicings sour. Also, if you go up a string gauge, or two, the nut slots need to be re-cut, otherwise your strings won't sit right in the slots, and will probably bind, creating bad tuning issues.

Hehe this is why 7 strings own all. Not only do you get a thickass neck (I have huge hands and love it), but you get all the versatility of B and E tunings, without having to change strings, or adjust anything.

Plus, EMG's best pickup is for 7 strings. The 707 is an 85 and 81 mixed, and got the good partsof both. They need to make one for 6 strings.

Neither. I play in standard E. If I had to choose from those two, I'd take the drop C one, though I'd rather play all D or all C to either of dropped tunings. I can't get good chords out of dropped tunings, they just don't work for my playing style.

Standard, and Dropped D mostly, although I do mess around in D and C tuning.

I played in only standard for so long then in Seraphim all the stuff suddenly was written in drop D which for a very long time threw me off but I got used to it. I HATE going in any other tuning other than drop D and going to drop C just makes it sound like mush which I hate.

Pardon the completely ignorant question, but by drop C are you referring to tuning the guitar down one entire step, then dropping the D to C, or are you referring to what Zakk Wylde often does, which is leaving all strings standard except for the 6th string, which gets tuned down to C? I can see why the latter might take a little time to adjust to, but there isn’t any difference in terms of mastering the fret board if the former is true.

Anyway, I’m typically only in standard or down ½, but there are times that I’ll go drop D from any standard tuning. I’ve dabbled in my first example of drop C tuning with my Ibanez, and got a pretty sweet vibe out of it, but it was a pretty far departure for me.

I play a lot of metal and I prefer standard tuning. The drop tunings have a certain tone to them and are definately heavy as heck. But I think they should be used sparinginly, on a song or two, for effect and not as the norm. They loose their appeal to me when they're used all the time. I only really play in those tunings when the song I'm jamming to demands it.

That being said Drop D is probably easiest on your guitar and easiest to go back to standard with. You're just dropping you're low E to D and leaving everything else the same. Drop C will involve you dropping your whole guitar a whole step, then the low E another step to C. Which will involve some major re-configuring as Gearjoneser said.

I as a black metal player i use mainly standard tuning(no need for downtuning) but for the heavier more death-influenced tracks i use c standard tuning(2 steps down)

I normally just use standard but I also like tuning to D. Anything below that really doesn't do it for me. I like more punch and cut and less low grunt in my guitar tones.

Neither. It's standard tuning or E-flat (1/2 step down from standard). Sometimes I'll drop the low E to D for a song or two but that's it. Never the whole guitar.

I generally tune to Eb 90% of the time and sometimes drop it down to a drop D (which would actually be a C# drop). Anything lower than C# just isn't that appealing to my ears.


Originally Posted by DeadSkinSlayer3Neither. I prefer 7 string standard B, or C# standard.

hahaha you bastage i prefer standard... though dropC through standard is fun to play

I play standard mostly, with about 20% in dropped D. For a while, I used Eb, and hence sometimes dropped Db, but the harmonics sound that bit less sweet, which put me off. I really welcomed the change though.