could altered tunings harm the guitar?

[vasilis]

I was wondering if by switching back and forth from standard to altered tunings could in the long run do any harm on a acoustic guitar.
Among the various altered tunings, I am especially curious about the CCDGAD tuning which is used from one song of Michael Hedges - "Aerial Boundaries", i.e. has the A string tuned to C, i.e. one and a half tone higher, the tuning is CCDGAD - could that tuning mess up the setup or the neck of the guitar in the long run? (of course, I've been using other tunings as well, DADGAD, DGDGAD, etc)

[mutley2209]

if it does there would be no way to distinguish between harm done by higher tunings or the ageing of the guitar and the affects temp and climate will have over the years so i wouldn't be too worried about it, i'd worry more about what playing Michael Hedges will do to the fret's with all that shredding

[vasilis]

on the other hand, let's take for example the CCDGAD which I referred to, before. In this tuning, the 5th string is tuned up from A to C, but the 6th string is tuned down from E to C, the 2nd string is tuned down from B to A and the 1st string is tuned down from E to D.

So, regarding the average tension of all the strings in this tuning, this is reduced (even though the 5th string is tuned up one and a half tone). In other words, the pull on the bridge/top might be less, right? I guess the same might hold for the other alternate tunings that generally consist of some strings being tuned down instead of up, i.e. logically speaking, there shouldn't be any increased pull from the altered tunings, maybe the opposite, i.e. reduced pull. So, maybe the bellying-up of the top might not be due to the tension of the strings, since there is no such increase in the average tension but due to humidity problems. I don't know...just plain logic....

I wish a luthier could have some input in this.

I wonder if my logic is right in this and also what I was worrying about in my initial post, is the variable tension the neck is exposed to (when switching back and forth betweenn tunings), which in a way might harm it...

[JB]

Alternative tunings will always have an effect but in most cases the effect is very small and hardly noticeable.

For example most players who go from standard tuning to DADGAD regularly don't notice any real difference, certainly not enough to warrant a tweak on the truss rod but if you were consistantly using lower or higher tension tunings then having the guitar specially set-up for it is worth considering.

Remember, most guitars can go up or down a gauge of strings without causing any problems and that alone would be higher or lower tensions than a few alternative tunings.

Something else to consider ... if using higer tensions it's even more important to ensure your guitar is kept in the correct humidity levels, levels lower than 40% and higher string tension do not make good company !

JB

[vasilis]

actually, don't most of the alternative tunings exert lower average tension on the guitar? (as I wrote in my previous post). Most altered tunings engage strings tuned lower than their standard tuning and not higher. So, I guess we're not talking about higher tension but lower tension, is that right?

[JB]

That's correct unless you change gauge too to compensate for the 'slack' feel of lower tunings ... it's all about getting a balance for your playing style.

We fit 12-53 gauge strings, some people prefer 13's, they like to drive more energy into the soundboard.

JB

[mutley2209]

Vasilis have you thought about getting a Baritone guitar? they're better suited altered tunings

[vasilis]

actually, I am waiting today to receive a L32 Legacy with custom neck option (46mm nut width), it will be my 1st good acoustic guitar. Up to now I have been playing with an Alvarez 5022 Japan made and up to 2 years ago I have been playing classical guitar....
Of course, I don't play only altered tunings, I play many songs with standard tuning, but generally fingerstyle (been using classical guitar technique)

[philjs]

...it's all about getting a balance for your playing style.

THAT is the key...here's what I do...

1) Download and install the Universal String Tension Calculator from http://www.kennaquhair.com/ustc.htm

2) Using the gauges of YOUR standard strings, calculate the tension, then change to the tuning(s) you're interested and choose string gauges to best match the tunings AND the standard tension.

3) Buy strings. If it works to your liking, buy strings in bulk. QED.

For example, my guitars are all setup for DADGAD (relief, nut, saddle) using a modified medium gauge set (replaces the low D, high A and high D with slightly heavier strings). I currently have a standard scale jumbo setup to tune to CGCFGC (one full step down from DADGAD) using a .070 and a .016 for the outside Cs and use the 6th to 3rd of an extra light set as the 5th to 2nd (yes, a wound 2nd string).

It sounds truly awesome and the tension on the neck/bridge is EXACTLY the same as my DADGAD set. End message: don't be afraid to play with individual string gauges to suit what you want to accomplish. I have little doubt that that's exactly what Hedges did...

Phil

[vasilis]

interesting point, but I only have one guitar to play (besides my 'Miguel Angel' classic guitar), therefore I cannot switch strings from different gauges. I guess this would be nice for someone who has a few guitars, each one for a different tuning. So I have to stick with the standard .12 set of strings.

[philjs]

I cannot switch strings from different gauges. I have to stick with the standard .12 set of strings.

Perhaps I didn't explain as well as I might have but my point was to use the USTC program to "try" different gauges to suit the RANGE of tunings you want to reach.

My DADGAD guitars (using a modified "medium" set: .060, .045, .035, .026, .018, .014) will tune down to various C tunings (even down to a B bass), and can be used for just about anything else -- including up to standard, a modified "A pipe" tuning (DADEAE, a personal favorite of mine) or Orkney (DGDGCD) -- for short periods. It IS important to always return the guitar to its "resting" tuning, for me DADGAD, before putting it back on the stand or in the case.

My point is to optimize the gauges for what YOU want to do...don't just take what string manufacturers give you. How often do you think Hedges changed strings (and what gauges do you think he used)? I'll bet long that he changed them often (individually too) and optimized individual strings for the complete range of tunings that he wanted that string to reach...

At the very least, I think you'll find that if you're going to do a lot of tuning and retuning between pieces then a medium gauge set will last longer...

Phil

[vasilis]

Appreciate your interesting tips. I might give it a try, but first I will get acquainted with my new L32 guitar with it's standard string set and see how it behaves. I only have it for less than a week now and I am happy with it, especially with it's action and it's custom neck.