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Topic: Can I downtune a set of C6 strings to B6 for Fender 400? |
Kristen Bruno
From:
Orlando, Florida, USA
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Posted 26 Mar 2013 8:03 am |
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I have an old Fender 400 long scale "Stringbreaker".
Gonna once again try the Sneaky Pete B6 tuning for use with 4 pedals (and mayby a knee lever if i can build one)
To avoid breakage, can i just downtune a set of C6 strings 1/2 step to B6 or should I special order individual strings?
Thanks
K
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"Technology has given us the ability to repeat all the mistakes we have learned from history, but much faster, deadlier and with much greater accuracy" - KAB |
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Gene Jones
From:
Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
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Posted 26 Mar 2013 8:34 am
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i have downtuned the C6 to B6 for 60 years, and I use the standard C6 strings.
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"FROM THEN TIL' NOW" |
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Bob Knight
From:
Bowling Green KY
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Posted 26 Mar 2013 11:47 am
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I like Gene, have also tuned to B6 for years with standard C6 set.  |
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Kristen Bruno
From:
Orlando, Florida, USA
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Posted 26 Mar 2013 3:30 pm
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Thanks.
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"Technology has given us the ability to repeat all the mistakes we have learned from history, but much faster, deadlier and with much greater accuracy" - KAB |
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Dave Zirbel
From:
Sebastopol, CA USA
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Posted 26 Mar 2013 4:12 pm
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Works for me too!
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Dave Zirbel-
Sierra S-10 (Built by Ross Shafer),ZB, Fender 400 guitars, various tube and SS amps |
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Jack Bowman
From:
Washington, USA
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Posted 26 Mar 2013 7:45 pm Re: Can I downtune a set of C6 strings to B6 for Fender 400?
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| Kristen Bruno wrote: |
I have an old Fender 400 long scale "Stringbreaker".
Gonna once again try the Sneaky Pete B6 tuning for use with 4 pedals (and mayby a knee lever if i can build one)
To avoid breakage, can i just downtune a set of C6 strings 1/2 step to B6 or should I special order individual strings?
Thanks
K |
I have a Fender 400 with a knee that raises the third string. I had it tuned to B6 but the first string was so tight that it hardly picked-up so I lowered it all to an A6. Fender 400's came out with the A6 tuning or very close to it. The pedal is an easy addition. I used an oak 2"x8" x 1'4" stick of wood and some safety wire. It's kinda like a Rube Goldberg invention but I'm not going to show it at the County Fair.
There is an original free download of a user's manual on the net for the Fender 400. Check out the tuning on that manual.
Good Luck!
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5220 Gretsch
Godin A-6
Godan 5th Ave.
Fender 400 PSG 4+2
buncha amps |
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Chris Lucker
From:
Los Angeles, California USA
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Posted 26 Mar 2013 8:24 pm
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| Gene Jones wrote: |
| i have downtuned the C6 to B6 for 60 years, and I use the standard C6 strings. |
I think this is why the guitar is not called the Fender 440.
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Chris Lucker
Red Bellies, Bigsbys and a lot of other guitars. |
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David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
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Posted 27 Mar 2013 5:42 am
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| On 24" and longer scales, I often tune to Bb with the standard sets specifically for the tonal reasons. It's not any har... well, if it's any harder it's the kind of harder that's good for you. |
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Paul Redmond
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 16 Apr 2013 10:39 pm
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I've got a silver-frame 400 that has a short Uni E9th minus the two chromatics. I used all standard gages on it, but tuned everything to Eb rather than E. I also use the original solid bridge and solid nut. I made longer hog rings for it which in effect shortens each string a bit. I have not broken any strings, and I need only remember to merely play up one fret from the standard E9th positions.
PRR |
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