Tuning up a full step



I got a free set of Infinity Bronze strings this weekend, and they sound fucking fantastic. I also tried out this cloth called Gorgomyte, a fingerboard and fret cleaner. It was invented by Rush's guitar tech. It's amazing. My fretboard was apparently the filthiest fucking thing on the face of the earth. Tons of black shit came off it. You're fretboard is probably just as disgusting, you sweaty pig.

The point of my story was that I tried a new kind of string that I like, but the gauge was wrong. They were 11's, and I usually use 12's. I've had my Taylor (510) for about ten years and recently had it set up with a crazy machine that very finely adjusted it for 12's. So now it rattles. The solution? Tune it up a full step.

I have to say, I really like it. I've been in a bit of a funk with songwriting lately, and this has really opened up my palette. I'm sort of tired of tuning down... (don't get mad, Dan-Dan Noodle) I've been doing it a long time, and I'm bored with it. That's not to say that I'm not still dropping my bottom string a step (so now it's E-B-E-A-C#-F#), but the voicings are so different that it's changed the way I think about writing melody. It also forces me to sing a little higher and strain my voice more, which is just SO indie rock.

My prescription for the doldrums?

*Clean your fucking fretboard.
*Put a new set of strings you've never tried before on it.
*Make sure they're a gauge or two too light.
*Tune it up until the tension feels right, between 1/2 to 1 1/2 steps up.
*Stop eating flour tortillas. Switch to corn, but steam them in the microwave for 30 seconds by putting them on a plate with another plate on top. They're my new fave and we're never buying flour again.
- posted by Mason @ 7:25 PM