What to choose for metal and lower tuned stuff

[Mr. Air]

I'm no metal player, but I like to fool around with some metal-like riffing, but I haven't really got a guitar that suits the need. Well I might have, but I'm not willing to detune it and slap on thicker gauge strings. So I was pondering what kind of guitar type would best for me. Here's my thoughts

7 string: Pros - Versatile as you don't need to down tune it. Cons - I wider fretboard that probably takes a goos amount of time getting used to.

Baritone: Pros - Only 6 strings and built for low tunings so no intonation problems. Cons - A bit limited as it can only handle low tunings.

Standard down tuned guitar: Pros - Only 6 strings and if I get tired of low tunings it's possible to go back to normal tuning. Cons - Chance of intonation problems.

A fourth sollution could be getting my hands on a drop tune pedal and let that handle my problems.

So what's your advice?  :D

[Toe-Knee]

Something like the ibanez RGD is what i would go for.

its just below baritone at 26.5" so you can use standard tunings without immense tension.

I currently use it in Eb rather than D that it comes in as standard. Also i prefer it for the higher tunings over my 25.5" guitars too. It has a nice snap to the sound.

[JDC]

How low do you actually want to go?

[Twinfan]

^ this.  It'll mahe a big difference in what will suit you best!

[Mr. Air]

How low do you actually want to go?

I actually might not want to go that low. I think the lowest will be B (but I'll probably stay go with C and C# most of the time) and as far as I know 24,75 scale lenght guitars can manage this. Or am I wrong?

[Toe-Knee]

How low do you actually want to go?

I actually might not want to go that low. I think the lowest will be B (but I'll probably stay go with C and C# most of the time) and as far as I know 24,75 scale lenght guitars can manage this. Or am I wrong?

I wouldnt advise it. It is doable but not optimal. At the minimum id use a 25.5 for that.

The RGD that i mentioned has a native tuning of D standard/Drop C so i reckon that will be optimal for you.

I think there are a few schecters with 26.5" scales too

[Mr. Air]

How low do you actually want to go?

I actually might not want to go that low. I think the lowest will be B (but I'll probably stay go with C and C# most of the time) and as far as I know 24,75 scale lenght guitars can manage this. Or am I wrong?

I wouldnt advise it. It is doable but not optimal. At the minimum id use a 25.5 for that.

The RGD that i mentioned has a native tuning of D standard/Drop C so i reckon that will be optimal for you.

I think there are a few schecters with 26.5" scales too

Thing is I'm not to keen on the Ibby design or pointy guitars in usual  :?

Doesn't In Flames use Gibsons in very low tunings?

[Toe-Knee]

How low do you actually want to go?

I actually might not want to go that low. I think the lowest will be B (but I'll probably stay go with C and C# most of the time) and as far as I know 24,75 scale lenght guitars can manage this. Or am I wrong?

I wouldnt advise it. It is doable but not optimal. At the minimum id use a 25.5 for that.

The RGD that i mentioned has a native tuning of D standard/Drop C so i reckon that will be optimal for you.

I think there are a few schecters with 26.5" scales too

Thing is I'm not to keen on the Ibby design or pointy guitars in usual  :?

Doesn't In Flames use Gibsons in very low tunings?

Ahh i can see where that would lead to problems :D

They do but i imagine they also use incredibly thick strings.

with a 26.5" scale you can get a good tension with 10s in D/C

Do you have a particular budget in mind? If you are doing it cheaply vintage may offer something suitable at a good price.

[richardjmorgan]

How low do you actually want to go?

I actually might not want to go that low. I think the lowest will be B (but I'll probably stay go with C and C# most of the time) and as far as I know 24,75 scale lenght guitars can manage this. Or am I wrong?

I wouldnt advise it. It is doable but not optimal. At the minimum id use a 25.5 for that.

The RGD that i mentioned has a native tuning of D standard/Drop C so i reckon that will be optimal for you.

I think there are a few schecters with 26.5" scales too

Thing is I'm not to keen on the Ibby design or pointy guitars in usual  :?

Doesn't In Flames use Gibsons in very low tunings?

I'm rather of the view that if 56s on a Les Paul are good enough for Bill Steer to use on Heartwork, they're theoretically fine for anyone, and the only reason not to do it comes down to personal preference.

I use 12-56s on my Gibson V in my band where I'm tuned down to C# (sometimes drop B) and, since a setup from Jonathan at Feline, it's been absolutely fine for me (seem to remember he had to flip one of the saddles on the bridge round to get it to intonate ok, but that's no biggie as far as I'm concerned). That said, I do like a bit of give in my strings, so if you're used to much higher tension, I can see how it may feel a bit flappy.

[Loomer]

I'd go 7-string if I were you.

[Madsakre]

if you have more than one guitar, then go baritone. They sound alot better in low tunings

[Loomer]

Or have your cake and eat it too, by getting a baritone 7-string :lol:

[Madsakre]

<3


http://www.schecterguitars.com/Products/Guitar/Blackjack-SLS-C-7.aspx

[oncesolemn]

I use a Gibson Les Paul with Elixir 12-68s, tuned to B.  No issues with intonation or action, and provides good tension especially on the lower strings.  Hooking a Holydiver up with that lot sounds immense! 8)

[Mr. Air]

<3


http://www.schecterguitars.com/Products/Guitar/Blackjack-SLS-C-7.aspx

That Schecter looks quite cool. As for 7 strings I had my eyes on an Agile Intrepid in blue that have just been removed form the website.