What kind of guitar/strings for low tunings

[EADGBE]

I've been thiknking about getting an another acoustic to be played in LOW tuning, something like C or C# to accompany singing some songs that won't go with a capo. Slack strings do not bother me, I currently play with a Thomastik Plectrum 10 - 41 silk&steel style set in Eb tuning so in terms of feel a 12 or 13 set should be fine in C. What kind of body style and strings would most likely yield a balanced tone? My intuition says that a parlor style guitar might have a more controlled output in low tunings. What about materials? Spruce, cedar or mahogany top? I've read somewhere that Nick Drake's mahogany parlor Guild was tuned really low for some songs. What about strings? Bright or mellow?

 

I've got one Gibson Acoustic but this one would most likely be a bit cheaper guitar that might not sound so refined but hopefully still nice enough.

[Jinder]

Hi EADG,

First off, let me bust a myth-the Guild M20 that Nick Drake is pictured with on the sleeve of Bryter Layter wasn't his-it belonged to his photographer, who supplied it for the shoot.

 

ND largely used Martins, specifically a D28 for the Pink Moon album, and a 000-28 for the Black Eyed Dog sessions at the very end.

 

Gibson wise, the Advanced Jumbo is superb for dropped and altered tunings, as is the SJ200. My advice would be to go with something that has plenty of inherent volume, as when a guitar is detuned, the lessened string tension drives the top less hard and, as a result, the guitar is quieter.

 

A Dove wouldn't be a bad choice either-crisp, deep tone with plenty of headroom.

 

If you're not dead set on a Gibson, try a Lowden-they're amazing guitars and are just about the best thing out there for altered/dropped tunings. I believe that if Drake was alive today, he'd be a Lowden player.

[drathbun]

To avoid FSS (Floppy String Syndrome) in low tunings like going down to C or open C, I would use a set of heavy gauge strings to keep the tension up or give your guitar some Viagra a half hour before your gig.

[MusicbyFirelight]

Endorsement here for the AJ comment: I keep my AJ a full step down for the same reason you posted your query. Need something 12s or heavier unless fingerpicking though.

 

Hope this helps...

[Guth]

For open/dropped tuning I prefer guitars with a longer scale length. More often than not, a larger body size also seems to benefit the overall sound as well. I've often found that shapes with a narrower waist work well for this type of use. Beyond that, I like a guitar that has "fat trebles" to begin with so that they still hold up well in the mix when dropped down low. "Articulate" bass strings also help greatly if you're going to be fingerpicking on those dropped tunings.

 

There are no hard, fast rules when it comes to guitars however, if you look long enough you might find a guitar that runs contrary to all of the characteristics I've identified that works extremely well for dropped tunings. Keep an open mind and an open ear, and good luck in the search.

 

All the best,

Guth