Question:
A lot of the songs I like are in alternate tunings. Will I
damage my guitar if I use different tunings? I've read that
the intonation is compromised. I've also read that the neck
and bridge will have problems from changing tunings a lot.
What do you suggest?
Thanks,
Lou
Answer:
Alternate tunings are ok if they require tuning lower.
Intonation will usually be compromised a little.
Tuning up too high though could hurt the guitar and also break
strings. If
you need to do a higher alternate tuning, you can lower all the tunings
instead and use a capo say on the 2nd or 3rd fret to make it sound like
a higher tuning
when actually your highest tuned string is really tuned up to
pitch. See my
Tip 119 for an example of
this.
Doing lower tunings won't hurt your guitar and will only wear out your
string's life a little. The intonation won't be as good on
those
lowered strings because the scale length will change. That's
why bass
guitars have such long necks. I've found that if a guitar's
intonation
is set up really well for standard pitch and the action is high enough,
lower tunings aren't a problem. Use my toothpick trick if the
intonation is compromised.