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 Really, any tuning? Supremely Deep Matched Reciprocal? 
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Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2017 5:33 pm
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Post Really, any tuning? Supremely Deep Matched Reciprocal?
Hello! I'm on the fence and extremely close to purchasing my first Stick ... likely a plum Railboard. I've done a good amount of research, but as I've never actually played a Stick, I figured I would pose the question here ... can a Stick really support any tuning, as purported on the SE site?

I see that Deep Matched Reciprocal gives me a low B on the bass side, but I'd really like that to go down all the way to an A (lots of friends are playing metal in drop A on their 7 and 8 string guitars, and I'd like to groove with them!). Is that unreasonable, or otherwise a really bad idea to attempt on a Railboard?

Also, I'm assuming I'd want the heavy gauge strings? Any suggestions/feedback is very much appreciated!


Fri Jul 07, 2017 8:25 am
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Post Re: Really, any tuning? Supremely Deep Matched Reciprocal?
I tried a low A tuning for a while many years ago. Low A is really muddy and floppy, even with heavy gauges. The rest of the strings that low aren't so practical for most playing either. You end up having to tap high up on the board instead of in the sweet spots. Even DMR is pushing it, IMO. I prefer Matched Reciprocal for balanced tone and flexibility. If you want a low B, you might consider a 36" wood Stick with Dual Bass Reciprocal.


Fri Jul 07, 2017 11:09 am
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Post Re: Really, any tuning? Supremely Deep Matched Reciprocal?
john.e wrote:
... Low A is really muddy and floppy, even with heavy gauges.


I was worried about that ... blargh! I really appreciate your insights.


Fri Jul 07, 2017 11:52 am
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Post Re: Really, any tuning? Supremely Deep Matched Reciprocal?
My NS/Stick is tuned down to B-flat. It taps great! It does feel softer than other Sticks I have tapped but I like it better...
I haven't tried A yet...

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Fri Jul 07, 2017 12:00 pm
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Post Re: Really, any tuning? Supremely Deep Matched Reciprocal?
Very low A will work, but is down at the bottom of the hearing range as with lowest A on piano where you barely hear the fundamental (just more of the thundering overtones). On Stick and bass guitar, that same low A will put you in the heavy metal register and still retain the drive of a vibrating bass string. IMO, they'll love it.

Still, there are times when you get more for less. I came up with RMR, that is, Matched Reciprocal raised a whole step from the standard Stick low bass C. So, at my first tapped "Rail" fret, I have a lowest bass D with a highest melody D. You'd think I'd have lost valuable bass territory but I found my left hand (and both hands) drifting down in pitch toward the nut and headstock (levitating for depth).

The strings are correspondingly thinner for this raised bass tuning (still medium or heavy gauges), and the action is lower and faster, more like all the other strings. I think RMR makes for a better instrument with a more rewarding and resonating bass register.

There, I've given you two opposing answers and you'll never know for sure until you have your hands on the strings. Rest assured, you can always re-tune, detune and reconfigure The Stick, or we can help.


Fri Jul 07, 2017 12:39 pm
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Post Re: Really, any tuning? Supremely Deep Matched Reciprocal?
Awesome! Very good to know you think the low A could still serve a purpose. That does make sense that the fundamental would get lost ...

I guess I'll just have to see! Hopefully will be purchasing a Stick very soon :)


Fri Jul 07, 2017 2:31 pm
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Post Re: Really, any tuning? Supremely Deep Matched Reciprocal?
Hey Tim, I'm a big fan of Matched Reciprocal. The lowest A in that tuning will be equivalent to the low A on a drop-tuned 7 string. I personally think this tuning gets plenty heavy, but that's me.

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Fri Jul 07, 2017 3:35 pm
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Post Re: Really, any tuning? Supremely Deep Matched Reciprocal?
I'm running DMR on a graphite Stick and really love it! Spend a lot of time around low C, but quite often use B and Bb, without any loss of tone. Never played a Railboard, so can't comment on their tone in the same range.

Cheers,

EG

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Sat Jul 08, 2017 3:51 am
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Post Re: Really, any tuning? Supremely Deep Matched Reciprocal?
Yeah, Stick has a huge range (plus pickups matched specifically for that range). I had a 9 string guitar, and that lowest string could not even begin to compare to the badass heaviness of the Low 'C' on the Stick. So yeah, it's just my opinion, but I feel like the Stick can roll with any musical situation and accommodate any player once you get used to it. Totally brilliantly designed instrument...

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Sat Jul 08, 2017 7:31 am
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Post Re: Really, any tuning? Supremely Deep Matched Reciprocal?
OK so I was a DBR for YEARS, tuned down half a step. Yes, the open low A. I now am playing DMR, but...with med. strings on the Melody and med. DBR on the bass, (the strings tuned half-step down, but it's DMR). I didn't like the med. DMR bass strings. The lowest string was like a bridge cable. Oh, by the way, itsa 12-string Grand Bamboo with PASV and ACTV interchangeable p.u.'s.

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Sat Jul 08, 2017 3:34 pm
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