Do you detune your acoustic?

[Jethro Rocker]

Normally, a 12 string acoustic should be tuned down a full step. Then use a capo to be up to pitch playing with others. At least that is was I was always told that the folkies were doing with 12 string guitars back in the fifties, sixties, and seventies.

Yeah I had done that then tuned up to concert pitch just to play then detuned again. I did use it a couple years ago in studio and not sure if I detuned again. I had better check that.
Tomorrow.
Beers tonight.

 

[StrumerJoe]

If I were to play mine I might tune down a half step for ease of playing.

 

[Sp8ctre]

Take a look at this from a respected luthier of acoustic guitars. Watch the whole video...

 

[Thatbastarddon]

Take a look at this from a respected luthier of acoustic guitars. Watch the whole video...

I agree with this very much…living in a boreal swamp, I have to deal with steady summer humidity…
All of my adult years have taught me- here, in the climate I have to deal with, the greatest enemy to my instruments is…..the actual swing in humidity….fast changes from winter to spring make for the “havoc”…the longer I live here, the more I realize that the prevention of exposure to sudden humidity change is paramount in the health of my wooden instruments. Trying to fend off the winter lows in humidity is an exercise in futility…as is the fight to maintain a moderate level in summer. The key to survival here is to prevent ”sudden” change.

 

[Sp8ctre]

Humidity here in the High Desert where I live is consistent if nothing else. Summer and winter alike, humidity averages around 20%.

I do not humidify my guitars. Even when I had a very expensive Martin, I saw no real need to humidify it. The constant change from
40% to 50% in the case to the 20% in the house when I played it seemed more detrimental to me.

As for the detuning when not playing, I've never done it and I don't think I'll start. I use super light strings so that should help a little.

I have a 3/4 size acoustic that has been tuned to pitch for well over 10 years with no ill effects.

 

[smitty_p]

Well, I just began playing my acoustic detuned a full step. While this does mean I need to capo at the second fret if I want to play in concert pitch, I do like the way the guitar plays and sounds.

Of course, there is less string tension, so there is less strain on the bridge and sound board, just as a matter of course. But, when it comes to storage, I will loosen the strings up if I think it may be a while before I play it again. If I’m only anticipating a few days interval, I’ll generally leave it.

 

[smitty_p]

I think the HALF step detune to E flat (see what I did there?) helps a lot. I am going to switch to 11s, or maybe 12s on the GS Mini to reduce tension. FYI @Thatbastarddon , I think the GS comes with 13s

I use 11-52 Elixirs on my full-size Taylor. I would definitely consider going lighter than 13s on a Mini.

 

[iblive]

I use 11-52 Elixirs on my full-size Taylor. I would definitely consider going lighter than 13s on a Mini.

12-53s on my Ovation. Used to use 13s till my youngest strung it up with 12s. Never went back to the 13s.

 

[smitty_p]

12-53s on my Ovation. Used to use 13s till my youngest strung it up with 12s. Never went back to the 13s.

Yeah, I think I used to use something like that on my Ovation, too. Acoustic guitars are more sensitive to differing string types and gauges (which, to me, is one of the things that makes them fun). You do have to experiment a bit to find the best match for your individual instrument.

 

[RVA]

Take a look at this from a respected luthier of acoustic guitars. Watch the whole video...

So if this is correct, and wood is not likely to dry past about 12% naturally and will only increase from a kiln dried 8% (summarizing for those who didn't watch), where does fret sprout come from? From my understanding, fret sprout occurs because the wood shrinks around he metal. Is this wrong?

My first experience with fret sprout was with a Tom Anderson guitar. It was an exceedingly dry winter. I didn't know what it was and posted about it on the Tom Anderson forum. Tom himself offered to fix it and said that they go through great lengths to make their wood dry and stable. I know from factory tour videos that they have their own kiln. I say this in case the someone thinks the sprout was caused by improperly dried wood. It happens on well constructed guitars too.

 

[Don O]

My 77 Takamine 6 and the 78 Takamine 12 have been at standard pitch since new except for string changes. No issues and I think our CA near constant humidity helps with that.

 

[Sp8ctre]

So if this is correct, and wood is not likely to dry past about 12% naturally and will only increase from a kiln dried 8% (summarizing for those who didn't watch), where does fret sprout come from? From my understanding, fret sprout occurs because the wood shrinks around he metal. Is this wrong?

My first experience with fret sprout was with a Tom Anderson guitar. It was an exceedingly dry winter. I didn't know what it was and posted about it on the Tom Anderson forum. Tom himself offered to fix it and said that they go through great lengths to make their wood dry and stable. I know from factory tour videos that they have their own kiln. I say this in case the someone thinks the sprout was caused by improperly dried wood. It happens on well constructed guitars too.

My guess would be that the wood was not as dry as it could get. That coupled with some rise in humidity and then another fall caused the wood to dry just a little further resulting in fret sprout.

I don't think it takes and significant shrinking of the fretboard for fret sprout to be quite noticeable to the fingers.

The guy said some people may think him crazy. It's one man's opinion, but I tend to agree that people put way too much thought into some of these issues.

 

[smitty_p]

So if this is correct, and wood is not likely to dry past about 12% naturally and will only increase from a kiln dried 8% (summarizing for those who didn't watch), where does fret sprout come from? From my understanding, fret sprout occurs because the wood shrinks around he metal. Is this wrong?

My first experience with fret sprout was with a Tom Anderson guitar. It was an exceedingly dry winter. I didn't know what it was and posted about it on the Tom Anderson forum. Tom himself offered to fix it and said that they go through great lengths to make their wood dry and stable. I know from factory tour videos that they have their own kiln. I say this in case the someone thinks the sprout was caused by improperly dried wood. It happens on well constructed guitars too.

I have a theory. I think the video was likely referring to body woods. His references to conditions inside the body lead me to think that’s what he had in mind. That is also what people generally have in mind when they think about humidifying, hence the humidifiers that suspend between the strings into the sound hole.

Just a thought…

 

[mcblink]

Oh man. Another Eb tunung thread??

Not to worry...I shall leave this one be lol

 

[Sp8ctre]

Not to worry...I shall leave this one be lol

I think the rest of us can handle it. We understand when something is all in good fun.

 

[mcblink]

My acoustic, as I mentioned the other day, is usually in the closet. Never usually bother with tuning it to anything when it does come out, other than itself, but now I'm wondering if having downtuned it before and leaving it has contributed to it's playability or lack thereof. I get terrible buzz when tuned to standard E, but when dropped about a whole step, it doesn't buzz quite so bad. Also, the bridge has a crack between all the pins and there are electric strings on it right now lol
I was once going to toss it in a campfire, only for a friend to save it. Still have the damn thing, should probably look into getting a nice one someday

 

[mcblink]

I think the rest of us can handle it. We understand when something is all in good fun.

Well sure.....admittedly, I was kinda trolling in that other one, but only because of the reactions

I almost never actually intend to be a jerk...but sometimes, it happens lol

 

[RVA]

My guess would be that the wood was not as dry as it could get. That coupled with some rise in humidity and then another fall caused the wood to dry just a little further resulting in fret sprout.

I don't think it takes and significant shrinking of the fretboard for fret sprout to be quite noticeable to the fingers.

The guy said some people may think him crazy. It's one man's opinion, but I tend to agree that people put way too much thought into some of these issues.

Tom Anderson does wood right. This guy said there is no way moisture leaves wood under 12%, and any reputable builder would not work with 12%. They usually work with 8%. As Tom Anderson owns a kiln and has an impeccable reputation (and my build time was 10 months), I think the wood was appropriately dried

 

[Sp8ctre]

Tom Anderson does wood right. This guy said there is no way moisture leaves wood under 12%, and any reputable builder would not work with 12%. They usually work with 8%. As Tom Anderson owns a kiln and has an impeccable reputation (and my build time was 10 months), I think the wood was appropriately dried

I'm sure that's true. I got nothing other than maybe the guitar was over humidified at some point? Also what Smitty-p said.

 

[RVA]

I am now back to being undecided on detuning. I will continue to look into this.

FY - apparently, the GS mini was built with the idea of using 13s to accommodate for the shorter scale and smaller body. I have read that dropping to 11s may have a significantly detrimental effect on tone by failing to vibrate the top sufficiently. We shall see