|
It is currently Wed Apr 24, 2024 4:38 pm
|
View unanswered posts | View active topics
Really, any tuning? Supremely Deep Matched Reciprocal?
Author |
Message |
thetimbubb
Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2017 5:33 pm Posts: 3
|
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 |
|
|
john.e
Member
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2008 10:21 am Posts: 91
|
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 |
|
|
thetimbubb
Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2017 5:33 pm Posts: 3
|
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 |
|
|
Skydiver
Site Donor
Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2012 7:20 pm Posts: 817 Location: Dayton, OH
|
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...
_________________ Dean Kobayashi NS/Stick - Prototype #2 Started 11/24/2012
http://www.GreenElephantStudio.com Now Selling - MOD DUO, Tech21, Ebtech, KMI, Earasers, IsoAcoustics
Subscribe to the NS/Stick YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/NSSTICK
|
Fri Jul 07, 2017 12:00 pm |
|
|
BSharp
Master Contributor
Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2023 4:45 am Posts: 1183
|
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 |
|
|
thetimbubb
Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2017 5:33 pm Posts: 3
|
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 |
|
|
The_Afro_Circus
Master Contributor
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2015 1:07 pm Posts: 1113
|
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.
_________________ -Josh
http://www.patreon.com/jgoldbergmusic http://www.facebook.com/jgoldbergmusic http://www.facebook.com/GEPHband http://www.facebook.com/thebodyenglish http://www.facebook.com/theafrocircus
|
Fri Jul 07, 2017 3:35 pm |
|
|
evilgus
Artisan Contributor
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 2:57 am Posts: 507
|
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
_________________ Graphite Grand 10 - PASV-4, Rust Linears, Deep MR Tuning http://www.myspace.com/evilstickplayer
|
Sat Jul 08, 2017 3:51 am |
|
|
Jayesskerr
Elite Contributor
Joined: Sun May 18, 2014 9:43 am Posts: 4039
|
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...
_________________ GUITAR RULES https://www.facebook.com/scottsguitarstuffMy FB Page
|
Sat Jul 08, 2017 7:31 am |
|
|
AnDroiD
Elite Contributor
Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2010 12:42 pm Posts: 2532 Location: Jersey
|
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.
_________________ Peace, Marty "The present day composer refuses to die" -Edgard Varese
|
Sat Jul 08, 2017 3:34 pm |
|
|
|
Who is online |
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 39 guests |
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot post attachments in this forum
|
|