Tuned 916 down half step

[TaylorDude]

G'day all,

I find the 916 with mediums on it and in standard tuning pretty harsh on the fingers so I did an experiment and tuned down half a step.

Wow, what a diff. Now I absolutely love playing it. Still a great sound, no need to adjust the neck and it's so much easier to play.

If I want standard tuning I just put the capo on the first fret!

Enjoy!

[ctkarslake]

That's a good, common trick with 12 string guitars.  Glad it works so well for you on your 916.  Curious the brand and how heavy the mediums you are using are.

[Satsuki]

Are there chord charts for dropped tuning?

[michaelw]

that's interesting, as i've found that nearly  all the Taylor models i've tried
that had a bone nut & saddle installed from the factory seemed to have
lower action & 'easier' playability overall, closer to the set-ups i've found
on 01-02 models when they were new & the original 100/200s (03-06)

perhaps, the action at the nut & neck relief may need to be checked or considering
going to a set of medium light/bluegrass strings (.012 - .056) may improve playability

i think that there are a good number of artists whose standard tuning is a
half step down (Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Bb, eb), along with some shops as well

congrats on the 916, TD
good to see you here
WELCOME !

[Satsuki]

So am I correct that in order to play chords I would move them up a fret?

[TaylorDude]

That's a good, common trick with 12 string guitars.  Glad it works so well for you on your 916.  Curious the brand and how heavy the mediums you are using are.

It's a 6 string and I'm using Elixir 80/20s mediums (13s)

[TaylorDude]

So am I correct that in order to play chords I would move them up a fret?

Correct, same chords but you would need a capo on the first fret to make it sounds like a standard tuned guitar.

[TaylorDude]

that's interesting, as i've found that nearly  all the Taylor models i've tried
that had a bone nut & saddle installed from the factory seemed to have
lower action & 'easier' playability overall, closer to the set-ups i've found
on 01-02 models when they were new & the original 100/200s (03-06)

perhaps, the action at the nut & neck relief may need to be checked or considering
going to a set of medium light/bluegrass strings (.012 - .056) may improve playability

i think that there are a good number of artists whose standard tuning is a half step down
(Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Bb, eb), but without a capo ... along with some shops as well

congrats on the 916, TD
good to see you here
WELCOME !

The action is good but as I play a 914 with lights more often, my fingers really feel it when I play the 916 with mediums.