How to effectively of use a lower tuned guitar
I'm experimenting with the Open C tuning (CGCGCE) in my guitar and I'm facing some problems, namely that the strings don't stay in tune for too long and the sound is "weird". I then realized that maybe I'd have to make some adjustments in the guitar or choose different strings as to minimize the problems and make it sound better. At the moment I'm using D'Addario Nickel Wound .010 strings.
I'd like to understand better how the tension of the strings affects the overall sound and interacts with other parts of the guitar and what needs to be done to effectively use these lower tunings.
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It shouldn't go out of tune even at low pitches as long as you have enough wraps on the post and you always tune up into a note (to lock the gears in the tuner).
But thicker strings will be less flabby. If the string guage is too small for the pitch, the act of striking the strings will noticeably change the tension, thus changing the pitch. So a note won't stay in tune with itself.
There may also be issues with the intonation. I tried to turn a Tele into a baritone, and I could not get the saddle for the low string back far enough.
The lower you tune your guitar, the thicker you will want the strings. 10's are probably not going to cut it for going that low.
From what I heard at the music shop the other day, you want to go up a gauge for every whole step you go down, which by this formula, would mean you want 12's. Maybe 'Even Better Than Slinkys', which come ready packaged for downtuners.
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