Hi, I have mostly played stuff in standard tuning, but I would like to try C#, as it interests me very much. I know there is another thread on the page concerning tunings, but it seemed a little different to me, so I decided to make a new thread. Basically, I want to know what types of strings are ideal for this tuning. I also read in the other thread that guitar adjustments need to be made for tunings like B, like adjusting the truss rod, so I'm wondering if there are changes like this that need to be made as well for C#. Thanks!

You should be ok for tuning down to that, i've never had a problem and i've never adjust the truss rod on that guitar. As for strings, i tend to use heavy top skinny bottom style gauges, and again have had no issues

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What gauge strings do you use?

i agree with sqol...its not too low...and use a little higher gauge for your string though

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Truss rod adjustments only need to be done when you're changing tension (like changing string gauges but keeping the same tuning). If you play in E with 9-42s, 11-49s should suit you fine in C#, and you won't need a truss change.

Uh that's still actually a decrease in tension, pretty big actually, even if the string gauge is heavier it's still not the same as it is in E with that other set. There is no defined string you should use for whatever tuning. All you need to do is if you go to a verry tight gauge in whatever tuning that you tighten the truss slightly enough so the neck doesn't bow forward and when going from big tension to little tension you need to untighten the truss a bit so the neck gets more relief.


For C# I really like GHS Lo-Tune 58-11's. Dean markley 54-12's are also good for it.

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Dean Markley's look like they're held in quite high regards, I think I'll get my first pair.

I use 10-46 for C# standard.

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I use 10's for C sharp tuning. I advise you go learn lots of decapitated.

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Im not sure what the size strings are on my guitar.

but the strings i'm using are the smallest d'addario strings you can buy, and they work perfectly fine in C without ANY buzz or fret slapping, so I assume they would also work fine in C#

Um...Decapitated are in D arn't they?

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That's crazy! I use 11's for D. I'm assuming the smallest would be 9's, so that's two guages smaller, and tuning a step lower! WOW

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Is your action like half an inch high?

It seems to me he wouldn't even have action. The strings would be sagging off the neck!

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on the early albums, yes.. but i'm pretty sure the last two have been C#

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If you wanna learn some challenging Decapitated learn the stuff in D.

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Yeah, stuff like Human's Dust. Bloody brilliant.

The last two albums were in C#. The earlier two in D.

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D'Addario actually makes 8's, so im just assuming that that guy dosent know what hes talking about.

I like 12's for anything in the C range.

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So I DO have to adjust the truss rod? :/

I never adjust my truss rods, on any guitar. And I'm perfectly fine. But I've also played in the same tuning for a long, long time. I hope that isn't bad...

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is there a good songs from decapitated in C# who isn't to growly

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Oh, no, believe me, I mean this as a permanent tuning as well.

Probably not.

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ok if I were you, I'd just get some 12's string em up and not worry about it. If you get some neck issues or start worrying obsessively take it to a guitar shop and they will adjust it for like 5 bucks in like 10 seconds.

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Yeah, I went with DM's 12-54. You think those are ok for tuning to C or drop B as well?

Probably. Ibanez uses 54 as a B for the 7 strings.

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they might not be 8's.

but they're very small strings.

and no, my action is VERY close to the frets,

i can tune to A with them but no lower, the buzzing in a is... ehh, somewhat minimal, it's hard to tell the buzzing when palmuted though, it just rings out alot longer.

Don't worry about the small details, you'll adapt to a changed instrument, and if not use trail and error until it feels comfortable.

I've had my axe in C# for going on four years or so now.

An easier decapitated song to learn would be 'The Negation' - A great illustration of the role of a diminished fifth interval in DM music

If you're new to C# however, dive into whatever Dying Fetus you can get your mits on, the majority of the songs are pure riffage, usually with a fucking monster of a riff at some point. that'll soon give you the feeling of what C# has to offer.

On another note, try playiung some typical neoclassical shite (i.e. a cliché of practice in what is now F# harmonic minor) - you'll notice the instrument is a minor third from standard tuning, giving the key a 'molified' and dampened tonality compared to a piece that would be in A Harmonic minor. It comes from more than just the tuning though, because the tone varies slightly as different tunings occur etc, which is one of the great defences for musical exploration across lower tunings specific to a guitar.

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Ok, I'd like to change tunings soon... like, today. Besides restringing it, are there any adjustments that need to be made to the action or truss rod?