How much longer will the downtuned trend go?

[eschoendorff]

Anyone else getting tired of the downtuned so-called Br00talz? It was rather cartoonish to begin with. Now, I find it outright irritating. Anyone else feel like this?

How much longer before the downtuned trend does away?

[Lance]

Any time I find myself wishing I wasn't hearing some type of music I don't care for, a couple of clicks or button strokes and it's gone. Just like that.

[tapeworm]

I hadn't noticed this was a trend.

[BedroomRockStar01]

People are still downtuning guitars? I thought that went out of fashion with Korn and their ilk.

I first picked up a guitar just as the late 90's rap-rock / nu-metal thing was hitting, so I may have been guilty of detuning a few guitars myself (although Deftones continue to be a guilty pleasure).

[therhodeo]

Drive by Truckers down tune. Hardly brewtal. Don Rich downtuned for alot of Buck Owens stuff. Waylon played in Drop D a ton. The tuning isn't what makes the stuff on the radio today crap.

[germs]

it's easier to sing (scream) to, for one.

honestly, i think the up and comers are going to trend away from it and return to standard - just to be "different".

[EricPeterson]

"down tuned" has been around a long time, some of your favorite artists probably have downtuned their guitars at some point. It sounds more that you are just not a fan of the modern rock genres that use down tuning, which is fine, and you are in luck, there are plenty of other options for your music enjoyment. No need to get annoyed when you can change the station.

[Sun Creature]

Would you say downtuning is 'cartoonish' to Tony Iommi?

[Bassomatic]

Once instrumental ranges have been expanded, they have never been known to contract.

Of course these expanded-range instruments can be eschewed in favor of older designs, which can be up-tuned, detuned, and retuned in a variety of ways.

This is not a problem.

[twoheadedboy]

There is nothing inherently special about standard tuning, so why does it bother you that some people prefer to tune lower? No one is forcing you to do it or listen to others who do.

[movingpictures]

Anyone else getting tired of the downtuned so-called Br00talz? It was rather cartoonish to begin with. Now, I find it outright irritating. Anyone else feel like this?

How much longer before the downtuned trend does away?

I guess as long as i have a 7 string?

[zenfreud]

Would you say downtuning is 'cartoonish' to Tony Iommi?

I'm looking forward to an album of Black Sabbath remakes, all in Nashville tuning.

[stevel]

People are still downtuning guitars? I thought that went out of fashion with Korn and their ilk.


Exactly.

There's "Eb" (EVH, SRV, even Segovia) that's been around forever and remains. But the down to C# or C fad has come and gone, just like the baritone guitar (in C or A) came and went.

Steve

[therhodeo]

Exactly.

There's "Eb" (EVH, SRV, even Segovia) that's been around forever and remains. But the down to C# or C fad has come and gone, just like the baritone guitar (in C or A) came and went.

Steve

Which baritone that came and went? The ones on Spaghetti westerns and George Jones songs or the ones in Meshuggah songs?

[PeaElAre]

Thrice used the bari quite effectively on their most recent album.

[smallbutmighty]

Thrice used the bari quite effectively on their most recent album.

Brad Paisley too, all over the place...along with about a million other country artists. (It's called a "Tic tac Guitar" in some Nashville circles, BTW (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baritone_guitar). Check the liner notes on those albums!)


From the Wikipedia article: "Tic-tac bass" is a method of playing, in which a muted baritone guitar doubles the part played by the bass guitar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_guitar) or double bass (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_bass). The method is commonly used in country music (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Country_music)."

[rspencer]

Would you say downtuning is 'cartoonish' to Tony Iommi?

Yeah, Iommi was tuning down 1-1.5 steps beginning in the 70s.


I guess as long as i have a 7 string?

No need. Victor Griffin was tuning down to B way before the "cool kids." :)
On a 6 string.
In 1979.

[therhodeo]

Brad Paisley too. (It's called a "Tack Guitar" in some Nashville circles, BTW)

Tic tac.

[BedroomRockStar01]

Drive by Truckers down tune. Hardly brewtal. Don Rich downtuned for alot of Buck Owens stuff. Waylon played in Drop D a ton. The tuning isn't what makes the stuff on the radio today crap.

< Big DBT fan (although their live show in Memphis this year was a big let down thanks to what can only be explained as the world's worst sound engineer).

I don't think the post has much to do with downtuning itself as it does the chugging, percussive, musicless playing accompanying the vast majority of detuned guitars. When the tuning is so low the strings rattle more than ring, or when the bass becomes indistinguishable from the guitars, I'm out.

While there's always examples to contradict op's point, baritone tunings have become synonymous with bad metal music.

[tsar nicholas]

I resisted deviating from standard tuning for many years, mainly because I have a hard enough time keeping track of what note I'm playing in standard tuning, let alone having to transpose a step or more. But once I started playing doom metal, it became apparent that the only way to get that massive, animal-like roar required for the genre is to tune way down, like to B or A. Currently, I favor A for doom.


I still play normal rock 'n' roll and funk in standard.

[shane88]

i like bass (and even some bass players) so i prefer they don't be interfered with - anyhoo if it works it works - not crazy about mud or 75 guitars on a track either :|

[shg]

Anyone else getting tired of the downtuned so-called Br00talz? It was rather cartoonish to begin with. Now, I find it outright irritating. Anyone else feel like this?

How much longer before the downtuned trend does away?

That's like saying "how much longer before people stop trying to nail the intro to 'Unchained'?"

[s2y]

While there's always examples to contradict op's point, baritone tunings have become synonymous with bad metal music.

The lower register can sound great if you get it right. When done poorly, it sounds especially icky. Mid-scooping definitely doesn't help with the cause.

[tsar nicholas]

^ yeah, to work, you gotta have like a pure, "cranked tube amp" sound -- the scooped death metal processed tone just sounds vague

Check out clips from the sadly-defunct doom band Salome to see what I think a downtuned guitar should sound like

[eschoendorff]

< Big DBT fan (although their live show in Memphis this year was a big let down thanks to what can only be explained as the world's worst sound engineer).

I don't think the post has much to do with downtuning itself as it does the chugging, percussive, musicless playing accompanying the vast majority of detuned guitars. When the tuning is so low the strings rattle more than ring, or when the bass becomes indistinguishable from the guitars, I'm out.

While there's always examples to contradict op's point, baritone tunings have become synonymous with bad metal music.

BRS is correct. In hindsight, I was not specific enough with my initial post. There are plenty of situations where tuning down is a perfectly musical thing to do.

My annoyance is directed at the goofy detuned riffing that permeates most modern metal (and all of its derivatives). I love older metal and I'd really like to be able to love new metal. But that detuned "br00talz" crap has gotta go.

[tnvol]

BRS is correct. In hindsight, I was not specific enough with my initial post. There are plenty of situations where tuning down is a perfectly musical thing to do.

My annoyance is directed at the goofy detuned riffing that permeates most modern metal (and all of its derivatives). I love older metal and I'd really like to be able to love new metal. But that detuned "br00talz" crap has gotta go.

WTF is br00talz????

[eschoendorff]

WTF is br00talz????

Click here (http://lmgtfy.com/?q=br00talz).

[tnvol]

Click here (http://lmgtfy.com/?q=br00talz).

Gotcha. It's a shame that it bothers you that much. lol :rotflmao

[SteveO]

Would you say downtuning is 'cartoonish' to Tony Iommi?

Yeah, Iommi was tuning down 1-1.5 steps beginning in the 70s.


Iommi did it out of necessity due to his injured fingers, the lower string tension made it less painful for him to play. Happy accident, as it invariably helped create that "heavy" sound that Sabbath pioneered and so many bands since then have utilized.

[Hand of Doom]

It's not going anywhere, It is what it is, just like "old" metal was in standard.

If you want new Metal without the low tuning check out Vektor, the tune UP a half step!

fD2knf9nXNU

[Braunzo]

It's not going anywhere, It is what it is, just like "old" metal was in standard.

If you want new Metal without the low tuning check out Vektor, the tune UP a half step!

fD2knf9nXNU

This started out so cool... Almost like a really dark Smiths song... Then it turned into Slayer... But I still kind of dug it... Then the screaming. Sigh. I used to love metal so much. Now it just tires me. I guess this is what happens when you get old.

*Goes and listens to more Smiths records.*

[tnvol]

This started out so cool... Almost like a really dark Smiths song... Then it turned into Slayer... But I still kind of dug it... Then the screaming. Sigh. I used to love metal so much. Now it just tires me. I guess this is what happens when you get old.

*Goes and listens to more Smiths records.*

Pansy

[BedroomRockStar01]

*Goes and listens to more Smiths records.*

Better be Meat is Murder. Amazing album. :D

Get the live bootleg titled Thank You, I believe. That's another favorite.

[Hand of Doom]

This started out so cool... Almost like a really dark Smiths song... Then it turned into Slayer... But I still kind of dug it... Then the screaming. Sigh. I used to love metal so much. Now it just tires me. I guess this is what happens when you get old.

*Goes and listens to more Smiths records.*

lol go lay down

More non de-tuned Metal, there is a lot out there....


BJwkrTVONaM

[Catoogie]

I don't listen to that kind of music so it doesn't bother me.

[rspencer]

Iommi did it out of necessity due to his injured fingers, the lower string tension made it less painful for him to play. Happy accident, as it invariably helped create that "heavy" sound that Sabbath pioneered and so many bands since then have utilized.


That's a common misconception.

He lost the fingertips before they were Sabbath.
He didn't start tuning down until the 3rd album. And not even consistently then. Ranged from standard to 1.5 steps down throughout the years,

I think it was mainly a stylistic thing. Made certain things easier. Those wicked fast trills he loves to do are much easier on downtuned light gauge strings, and near impossible on the standard-tuned Strat he walked into the 1st album sessions with (before the pickup crapped out & he switched to the SG).

[silentbob]

BRS is correct. In hindsight, I was not specific enough with my initial post. There are plenty of situations where tuning down is a perfectly musical thing to do.

My annoyance is directed at the goofy detuned riffing that permeates most modern metal (and all of its derivatives). I love older metal and I'd really like to be able to love new metal. But that detuned "br00talz" crap has gotta go.

I've never been a fan of the stuff that turns guitars into drums. Then again, I like melody, what do I know.

[GovernorSilver]

Funny, I've been thinking about getting a baritone. More likely a Danelectro though, and probably not for metal.

[Bezzy]

It has its place. I like to listen to it if it sounds good. I hate playing in anything but standard tuning for myself personally, mostly because I do not have the right gear and technique to make it sound they way it should. Modern metal does sound great tuned down. Guys like Andy Sneaps are the masters of making it sound great. I think its awesome they way players like Jeff Loomis are playing seven strings and getting the deep sick riffing but are still able to do the classic lead work that I love to hear.

[tnvol]

It has its place. I like to listen to it if it sounds good. I hate playing in anything but standard tuning for myself personally, mostly because I do not have the right gear and technique to make it sound they way it should. Modern metal does sound great tuned down. Guys like Andy Sneaps are the masters of making it sound great. I think its awesome they way players like Jeff Loomis are playing seven strings and getting the deep sick riffing but are still able to do the classic lead work that I love to hear.

He is a freaking beast.

[seajay]

Keep yellin' at them clouds, old man! Downtuning isn't going anywhere.

[reo73]

This reminds me of that one thread around 1975 where some guy asked "how much longer will this heavy distortion trend last?" I mean how much more can there really be?

[silentbob]

This reminds me of that one thread around 1975 where some guy asked "how much longer will this heavy distortion trend last?" I mean how much more can there really be?

More gain and tuning lower are like death and taxes

[Sid]

On another note, some great music thats 'downtuned'

http://youtu.be/7E_QByAZVbY
the ending reminds me of chris cornell somehow

http://youtu.be/uBW5iDvkMHU

[DonaldDemon]

Hendrix -Machine Gun BOG 1970 & Paul McCartney - Yesterday = Whole step down

Just sayin

[BedroomRockStar01]

This reminds me of that one thread around 1975 where some guy asked "how much longer will this heavy distortion trend last?" I mean how much more can there really be?

Point taken.

[Bankston]

Bands have been "downtuning" since at least Sabbath.

They've been "uptuning" with capo's even longer.

[taez555]

Other than a few half or whole steps, 7 strings (which don't count) or common alternate tunings, I thought the downtuning "trend" ended back in the early 90's after Soundgarden.

[NorCal_Val]

Having my old Ibanez Universe down-tuned a whole step
makes it a completely different animal. I enjoy that growl
it produces in the lowered tuning.
I don't play in the lowered tuning all the time, but it is a nice
option to have.

[Melodyman]

Keep yellin' at them clouds, old man! Downtuning isn't going anywhere.

The downtuner's already ARE (or soon will be) the old men yelling at clouds. At least the ones that spawned the current younger crop.

[buzzp]

Just want to clarify we arent talking about playing in Eb are we?

[BedroomRockStar01]

Other than a few half or whole steps, 7 strings (which don't count) or common alternate tunings, I thought the downtuning "trend" ended back in the early 90's after Soundgarden.

It did, but you know the internet. Everyone has to point out some exception to the general rule just to prove the other guy wrong. Yes, there will always be bands that downtune (and I'm talking about the A / B tunings, not the guys in D or Eb), but no, it will not be a prevailing sound in popular music anytime in the near future (hopefully).

[eschoendorff]

Just want to clarify we arent talking about playing in Eb are we?

Not at all. See post # 25.

[s2y]

Just want to clarify we arent talking about playing in Eb are we?

Funny you should mention that. When I started playing guitar in the 90's, I remember bands who thought they were additionally cool for tuning to 1/2 step. Then it was dropped D. Then it was full step. Then it was C# and dropped C#. Then it was C and dropped C, etc. I typically use a floating Floyd Rose, so the constant changes got annoying.

I had switched to bass and had a 5, which simply allowed me to use the low B string without having to change tunings. Then every @#^%#$^ band started playing in C, which meant I was hopping on the low B 1st and 4th fret all damn day, which was too much of a stretch. A 1/2 step up or down would have made my life easy, but not a single band would compromise on the issue. Never understood that if lower is better why most bands stick to C.

[therhodeo]

I had switched to bass and had a 5, which simply allowed me to use the low B string without having to change tunings. Then every @#^%#$^ band started playing in C, which meant I was hopping on the low B 1st and 4th fret all damn day, which was too much of a stretch. A 1/2 step up or down would have made my life easy, but not a single band would compromise on the issue. Never understood that if lower is better why most bands stick to C.

Is that really that much harder?

[s2y]

Is that really that much harder?

Harder sounding or harder to change setups? :p

No, I didn't find them to be harder sounding, but sure did. When I set up my regular guitar and 1/2 step guitar, I wanted the 1/2 step guitar to basically sound like the normal guitar tonally. Lots of bands, especially the bassists were using standard strings, which made everything sound muddy.

As for changing a guitar I've already set up, I'm a hard worker that abhors rework.

[liquidswords]

qIuX-8g5hMs

Take it TGP won't like that then?

[tnvol]

Good call!

qIuX-8g5hMs

Take it TGP won't like that then?

[DonaldDemon]

It did, but you know the internet. Everyone has to point out some exception to the general rule just to prove the other guy wrong. Yes, there will always be bands that downtune (and I'm talking about the A / B tunings, not the guys in D or Eb), but no, it will not be a prevailing sound in popular music anytime in the near future (hopefully).

Um, that's just misinformed, sorry. It IS a prevailing sound in rock music and most likely will remain so for quite a while longer. If you say it died in the 90's then you must have stopped paying attention around that time. If anything there is a resurgence with drop tuning lately with the rising popularity of stoner/doom/post-rock bands. I dig it, we tune down a whole step.

[therhodeo]

Harder sounding or harder to change setups? :p

No, I didn't find them to be harder sounding, but sure did. When I set up my regular guitar and 1/2 step guitar, I wanted the 1/2 step guitar to basically sound like the normal guitar tonally. Lots of bands, especially the bassists were using standard strings, which made everything sound muddy.

As for changing a guitar I've already set up, I'm a hard worker that abhors rework.

I meant playing at the 1st fret.

[thornie]

It' not a trend it's indicative to a style of music, much in the same way heavy distortion or compressed clean tones are.

6XdEztcfg5A

[s2y]

I meant playing at the 1st fret.

On a 35" scale 6 string for an entire night basically playing the 1st and 4th fret. Yes.

[Dark Helmet]

I would think that at a place called "the GEAR page" we would embrace EVERY tuning option possible since it offers great motive for GAS...

since everyone KNOWS you need a different guitar for every alternate tuning you play! :D

[s2y]

I would think that at a place called "the GEAR page" we would embrace EVERY tuning option possible since it offers great motive for GAS...

since everyone KNOWS you need a different guitar for every alternate tuning you play! :D

Then you'd also need a backup in case you break a string.

[taez555]

Um, that's just misinformed, sorry. It IS a prevailing sound in rock music and most likely will remain so for quite a while longer. If you say it died in the 90's then you must have stopped paying attention around that time. If anything there is a resurgence with drop tuning lately with the rising popularity of stoner/doom/post-rock bands. I dig it, we tune down a whole step.

I agree, by being the common and prevailing sound of many genre's and styles it ceased to be a trend/fad. Which is why the trendiness of it died in the 90's after it became the norm. Now it's just called tuning to style.

:-)