alternate tunings?

first off merry christmas!! next on my mind, alternate tunings,,, can an acoustic be tuned to C? or is that too low for an acoustic. also, i have a korg chromatic tuner, but all its really good for is getting into standard tuning, or drop D half step down. does this go for all tuners? or is there a better one out there that can identify lower tunings?

C is prolly the lowest practical threshold for standard acoustics with typical strings. Yet if you play that low frequently you might try heavier sets of strings to give em more tension. Floppy strings won't give you as much consistent note frequency, being much more sensitive to fret pressure and picking attack, which may be contributing to your tuner problems. If I'm using a tuner when I tune to open C, I'll just use it for one string (allowing time for stretch), and use that string as the reference for the others. Also, depending on the tuning you're going to, you probably already have reference strings in standard tuning that are "friendly" notes with that key. Like for C, the open G string should be harmonious...if not, the waves of dissonance will be apparent.

And oh yes, tuners can be more versatile for those ranges, but they can get expensive. Maybe just get a tuning fork or 2 for those reference strings mentioned. They're cheap, reliable, don't break, and don't use batteries.

Are you talking about open C or drop C???

Normally if you're playing open tunings you're going to be playing slide or chording with very little soloing.... So I recommend getting some larger string gauges to offset the lack of tension on the neck. Acoustic guitars are a lot more finnicky when it comes to warping. If you leave your neck sitting withough tension for a long time it will start to warp in the direction of the tension.... In the case of low string tension it will be pulled away causing backbow... Then when you do finally put the neck under string tension you run the risk of cracking the neck.... Grab some larger gauge strings to help keep the neck in a proper "Straight" position.....(Remember "Straight" means straight up the neck from the bridge to about the 7th fret... then a little relief, or bend, in the neck to compensate for string vibration...)....

I would recommend the same thing if you're planning on doing a lot of playing in drop C as well.... A larger string gauge will decrese string noise as well.

http://www.guitartricks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21405

im not really sure what the difference between open, and drop c is. i assumed drop C. where the Low E string is tuned all the way to C. i have been using a 54 gauge bass string, but my new guitar has 52 gauge on it on it. thanx for the tips, and im gonna check that link out damaged.

Drop C is where you drop the E string to C and then drop the rest of the strings a few steps down as well....

Open C is where you tune the six strings so that when you play them open they actually make a C chord.... it's a tuning that would normally be used by players that do a lot of barring and slide work...

Something someone metioned promted this question.
When playing regularly is it bet to leave guitar as tuned, lets assume A440?

I not played for period of weeks should you loosen strings completely, leave at A440 or something inbetween?

Thanks,
S

Accoustic and electric or will answer be same?

The general consensus (but opinions vary) is to keep your neck under tension at all times, except for maybe when changing strings. I think the only exception to this is if you ever ship your guitar on a plane for any reason. If it gets put with baggage and cargo, the high altitude temperature/pressure drop (only passenger cabin is pressurized) and subsequent return is quite extreme and quick, and supposedly could crack your neck if strings are left tuned.

In your case, just dropping the strings down a bit wouldn't hurt anything, but I doubt it would really help anything either. But also when you do finally pull it out to play it, you run greater risk in breaking the aging strings tuning it back up.