7 String Tuning question

[7seven7]

Hello' everyone - I am new to 7 string playing. I've played metal on a six string since the late 80's - I've just purchased a nice Schecter Blackjack 7 and I was wondering about tuning.

Is it acceptable to tune the top string such as you would if tuning a 6 string in drop D?

Or do I tune it to B?

What about tuning stability problems? I want something that'll stay in tune fairly well - I'm using 56 - 10 strings, should string guages be a concern?

email me at: stonezeroband@yahoo.com -or- just reply to this post.

You're help is very appreciated.

 

[Chris]

Hey there, welcome.

Standard seven tuning is BEADGBE. 10-56 shouldn't be a problem at all.

 

[7seven7]

Thanks Chris - your expertise is greatly appreciated

 

[Dylan7620]

B works great. and if you drop it down to A it work great as well.

 

[NewArmyGuitar]

I play in drop A with Ernie Ball 10-56 with no problems.

 

[7seven7]

I've only been joined to this forum for less than 24 hours and everyone has been great. Thanks for all of the help - I'll try both B and drop A tunings and let everyone know how it is going.

 

[Regor]

Is it acceptable to tune the top string such as you would if tuning a 6 string in drop D?

Acceptable? Shit dude, it's your guitar. Tune it however the hell you want. Look at Mike Mushok from Staind. He's got the most F'd-up tuning I've ever heard of, and he's in a hugely successful band. Do what you want is what I say.

Speaking of which, I wonder how tuning ADADGBE would work.

 

[Roland777]

What exactly does Mushok tune to...?

And welcome.

 

[Metal Ken]

ADADGB
(AKA The "All my lessons from Tony MacAlpine were lost in the sands of time" tuning ;p )

 

[Kagami]

I love "drop-a" because it's the ultimate lazy-man setup, you can play dropped and standard songs on the same guitar! haha...

 

[The Dark Wolf]

ADADGB
(AKA The "All my lessons from Tony MacAlpine were lost in the sands of time" tuning ;p )

No doubt.

But! The tuning thing... well, the MM sig Ibby comes with THIS little tuning...

A#-F-C#-G#-D#-A#

And Mike says in an interview he generally uses the same thing you posted, HB, but down a half-step (so all flatted).

 

[Metal Ken]

No doubt.

But! The tuning thing... well, the MM sig Ibby comes with THIS little tuning...

A#-F-C#-G#-D#-A#

And Mike says in an interview he generally uses the same thing you posted, HB, but down a half-step (so all flatted).

i coulda swore they came ADADGB tuning? Thats what the catalog said, i think... i'll check tomorrow.

 

[The Dark Wolf]

i coulda swore they came ADADGB tuning? Thats what the catalog said, i think... i'll check tomorrow.

You can check if you like, but here's this handy little ditty...
Mike Mushok Signature Model Ibanez

 

[tonewhore]

Acceptable? Shit dude, it's your guitar. Tune it however the hell you want. Look at Mike Mushok from Staind. He's got the most F'd-up tuning I've ever heard of, and he's in a hugely successful band. Do what you want is what I say.

Speaking of which, I wonder how tuning ADADGBE would work.

Works fine. Sound damn good actually.

 

[metalfiend666]

Acceptable? Shit dude, it's your guitar. Tune it however the hell you want.

As Regor said, tuning as down to personal taste. Try all the "traditional" tunings, but try adding extra strings lower OR higher. Try whatever you want. George Lynch tuned EADBGEA on his 7's.

As for strings, I use standard BEADGBE tuning with Ernie Ball 9-42's or 10-46's, but I always use a 56 for the low B. It just has a bit more tension than a 52 or 54 and helps with note clarity. Ernie Ball sell various gauge 7 string sets, and I think D'Addario do as well.

Oh, welcome aboard btw!

 

[Naren]

I play BEADGBE because standard = the best.

Sometimes I play in drop A - AEADGBE.

 

[Drew]

ADADGB
(AKA The "All my lessons from Tony MacAlpine were lost in the sands of time" tuning ;p )

Lost in the tears of the sahara, you mean.

Apparentl the guy can still play like a fuckin' machine, but just doesn't. I don't know if that's better or worse than not being able to play in the first place, lol.

 

[Roland777]

Apparentl the guy can still play like a fuckin' machine, but just doesn't. I don't know if that's better or worse than not being able to play in the first place, lol.

There is one greater waste of talent - Tom Morello. Say what you want about him in general, the RATM-solo in "Take the power back" is fuckin' badass beyond recognition.

 

[Naren]

There is one greater waste of talent - Tom Morello. Say what you want about him in general, the RATM-solo in "Take the power back" is fuckin' badass beyond recognition.

I happen to really like Rage Against The Machine very much.

 

[Roland777]

I'm just saying, instead of him making his (lately very) annoying effect solos, he would be better off writing traditional solos, since he's shown that he has talent.