the "dropped-C tuning thing"

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magpie
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the "dropped-C tuning thing"

Post: # 20817Post magpie »

in the state of mind article, brad makes mention of his "dropped-C tuning thing'... anyone know what that is? is it just the low E dropped to C, or is it a full alternate tuning?
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hoby
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Post: # 20819Post hoby »

Maybe he's referring to the "Poor Boy" tuning?

I had that written down somewhere, but I can't find it now.
Caleb
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Post: # 20821Post Caleb »

CGCGCE

or some variation of....
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bear
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Post: # 20823Post bear »

yeah, i think you're right caleb. I think he uses it on "Hello I'm a Monster" as well...
"if there's one thing I know to be true, let what you love be what you do"

http://www.talkingaboutcommas.com
http://www.liesanddreams.blogspot.com
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magpie
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Post: # 20824Post magpie »

ahh... cool
thanks!!
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Caleb
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Post: # 20825Post Caleb »

Im not techie, but if you have a steel string, won't messing with the tuning often eff up your truss rod/neck/guitar?
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johnhk4
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CGCGCE

Post: # 20827Post johnhk4 »

It really depends. I think brad has been using a steel string with a slotted head, the tuners looking like a nylon string guitar. these guitars apparently do better with open and alternate tunings. If you're super nervous about bridge/top damage i.e. pulling, warping of top, do the tuning two or four whole steps lower and capo the 2nd or 4th fret.

you might need higher gauge, heavier strings for this. These DO put more stress on your axe. if the gauge is too low, the strings will kind of just flop around and be very sensitive to buzzing and 'wapping' and quiet.

it is definatley CGCGCe. "Song", "portrait of a scientist" (capo 4th), "heart shaped box", "cut from the cloth", "predicting the rain", "reddish moon", "poorboy", tons of it... "sarah through the wall"... etc etc etc

at one of brad's first solo shows that never was released, he opened with landlord, then the rest of the set until the last few songs was mostly in that tuning with his nylon string. i think that was in 2003. it was right around if not the same night they had that gear stolen.

550000 (low to high) is like an F

x24000 is like Am

x002400 is like G

the middle part of portrait goes (something) like this in the alternate tuning...

--------------------------------------
-2---2----2--------------------------
-0------------------4---2----0-------
-5---5---5--5-4---------------------
-3------------------------------------
-----3---0----------4---2---0-------

that's not perfect, don't kill me, i think i mightve posted a better version awhile back.

anyway, its a great tuning, although it can be limiting.

- john
John from CT / wheaton college, MA
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magpie
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Post: # 20828Post magpie »

thanks for the info, john!

i love alternate tunings myself (big fan of joni mitchell).
my most recent song was written using F# F# C# C# F# C# (just made it up after changing my guitar strings).

now i want to play around with this one...
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magpie
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Post: # 20829Post magpie »

would you happen to know the fingering/chord structure for monster, then? anyone? that's one of my very favorites of brads...

(this thread perhaps should be in the lyrics/tab section, eh? relevance...)
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