6-, 7-, 8-, and 9-strings (or more) cover tunings :D

[tsr96pithaya]

This is a question I've been thinking about.......is it possible to play a 8-string song (for example drop E) on a 7-string guitar, without using heavier/lighter strings?

I'm trying to transfer a 8-string song to a 7-string song.
The song is called ''Goon Squad'' from Deftones' 2012 album Koi No Yokan.

And the majority of all the songs on that album is played on a 8-str. guitar in drop E. I don't have heavier/lighter string gauge than .010 - .059 for a standard 7-string guitar. But I tried tuning my 7 string in drop E (7th string tuned 7 semitones down, and the rest of the guitar is tuned 5 semitones down)

Of course you'd need heavier strings, but is it possible to play drop E, without heavier/lighter strings?

 

[Dommak89]

How would that be possible? You tune your low B down, so you decrease the tension to a level, where a .59 doesn't even make a sound any more but flubbers all around.

I don't see a way to go around the new, heavier string. I mean you could play it an octave up, which would mean you either use only 6 strings of your seven and tune all strings but the low e up or you tune the 7th string to a 6 string standard with an additional higher string. But then you would need lighter strings. And I imagine it to sound weird.

 

[DjentDjentlalala]

It's just impossible for single notes.For chords,you can put an octave lower 5th.

 

[DarkWolfXV]

Of course you'd need heavier strings, but is it possible to play drop E, without heavier/lighter strings?

Yes, but you'd need a longer scale length. Like 30".

 

[InfinityCollision]

You'd need a much longer scale length than 30" to get a decently playable E1 with a .059.

 

[Mprinsje]

you can, but prepare for flubz

 

[rockskate4x]

If you can't use different strings, then I think that the best thing that you can do here is just tune to b standard and play the song with gojira style power chords. If you really need the low e string, then let the bass player take care of it. The other option is, of course, to transpose the song higher and arrange it for drop A or even drop G.

 

[tsr96pithaya]

If look around, you'll realize that you can use a capo

 

[tsr96pithaya]

How would that be possible? You tune your low B down, so you decrease the tension to a level, where a .59 doesn't even make a sound any more but flubbers all around.

I don't see a way to go around the new, heavier string. I mean you could play it an octave up, which would mean you either use only 6 strings of your seven and tune all strings but the low e up or you tune the 7th string to a 6 string standard with an additional higher string. But then you would need lighter strings. And I imagine it to sound weird.

The scale length of my LTD EX-307 7-str. is 25''

 

[WaffleTheEpic]

Iirc, Koi No Yokan is actually in standard 8 string tuning... (I've learned Entombed, Leathers, and parts of Tempest, working on Gauze right now lol)

And of course you can tune that low, it just won't have any note definition at all. As stated before, teh flubz.

 

[Nats]

I really can't see dropped E on a standard length 7 with a .59 string working at all. I tuned my lowest 2 strings down to standard 8 string tuning F# and B with the same spec'd guitar scale and string gauge you're using for shits and giggles and it works, but just barely. Thankfully it also made me realize jumping on the 8 string fad wagon is a bad idea for me.

 

[tsr96pithaya]

Anyone who have tried to play a 7-str. cover of ''One Step Closer'' by Linkin Park?

I tried to tune my 7-str. 4 semitones up with the 7th string being 2 semitones lower than the rest. The resulting tuning was: 7C# 6G# 5C# 4F# 3B 2D# 1G# (the lightest string broke around G# or A with string gauge .010)

 

[Adrian-XI]

I'm sorry, but at what stage did tuning up 4 semitones seem like a good idea?

 

[BIG ND SWEATY]

why wouldnt you just detune the bottom 6 slightly if you wanted to play it?

 

[Insightibanez]

I had the same problem, some songs worked playing on a 7 string. But in the end, I ended up buying an 8 stringer.

 

[Yo_Wattup]

Anyone who have tried to play a 7-str. cover of ''One Step Closer'' by Linkin Park?

I tried to tune my 7-str. 4 semitones up with the 7th string being 2 semitones lower than the rest. The resulting tuning was: 7C# 6G# 5C# 4F# 3B 2D# 1G# (the lightest string broke around G# or A with string gauge .010)

 

[tsr96pithaya]

How many tried playing Goon Squad by Deftones with a standard tuned 7-str?

I tried, and it works well if you can focus on the 6th string during verses

 

[Mike]

Just about anything is possible with the proper setup, granted a longer scale will definitely make it easier. People usually don't play drop e on 7's because it forces you to make a lot of drastic changes to the setup. Then if you want to go back to a common 7 tuning, its a pain. Easier to just get an 8 and call it a day