[rickc]

I like to tune all of the strings on my acoustic down by one semitone, because I tend to sing a little flat and it seems to suit my voice better. I have read though, that guitars are designed to be kept at concert pitch in order to maintain the correct string tension and avoid neck distortion.

I only play solo, so having my tuning slightly flat does not really matter, but I would rather keep it tuned to the way I like it, rather than keeping it at concert pitch and having to tune down every time I play.

Will it harm the guitar to do this ?. I play a mid range acoustic that I don't really mind risking too much, but in a couple of weeks I will be in a position to buy my dream guitar ( Gibson J45 ), and I do not want to risk causing any problems with that one. I like to use light guage strings, does this make any difference. Advice would be most welcome.

[dadfad]

I'm almost always tuned down to Eb when I do a solo acoustic gig in front of an audience, and sometimes even a whole-step down. I've been doing it for... almost as long as I've been playing. Like you, my voice works better (a little bit anyway!) down a little lower, and I like the feel of the strings better too. It's never hurt any of my guitars. (Including a J-45 I've had tuned down since I bought it over thirty years ago.) For playing with others or teaching, etc I'm usually to standard on the guitar I'm using, but that's just a matter of convenience and courtesy to the ones I'm playing with. When playing for myself or when I want to be at my optimum, like for a performance, I tune down.

[okiejohn]

I keep my 12 string tuned down a half step, so every time someone would come over and we'd get to pickin', I'd have to tune my six string down....well I'm a bit on the lazy side, decided that was a waste of time, so I started tunin' my six string down a half step too.

Now I ain't been at it since the stone age like ol' Dad has, but it sure looks like it doesn't hurt a thing.

[dadfad]

I keep my 12 string tuned down a half step, so every time someone would come over and we'd get to pickin', I'd have to tune my six string down....well I'm a bit on the lazy side, decided that was a waste of time, so I started tunin' my six string down a half step too.

Now I ain't been at it since the stone age like ol' Dad has, but it sure looks like it doesn't hurt a thing.

Stone age...?



(Bronze age maybe.... )