I'm thinking about picking up a guitar that I can just keep in Nashville tuning. I've got a couple that usually stay in alternative tunings and it's just easier that way.

Anyway, does anybody have any hands-on experience with how this tuning sounds in different body types? I would think you'd need a decently large body size (and probably not a bright-toned back) to keep things from sounding overly thin, but I haven't experimented enough to have formed a solid opinion.

Thanks
Mike

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mwilkins,

I like Nashville tuning. All of my guitars have been Nashvilled at one point or another.

I'd be inclined to pick up a cedar-topped mini-jumbo. I think those sweet trebles and the solid rhythm wash would sit well in a mix. Maybe a Tacoma or even a Garrison would do the job well for very little outlay.

Or are you considering a Collings for the job? If so... well, wow. I think literally any Collings would be stellar.

Maybe off topic: I've occasionally wondered about getting some work done on a less expensive guitar to improve the intonation for Nashville, but in a way that's reversible. Maybe filling the saddle slot - at least for the bottom four strings – and making individual removeable saddles with the break-point at one end, so they can be rotated 180 degrees.

Just an idea.

No clue about the maker at this point. But at a minimum, I'm not intending to get a Braz SJ or anything like that for this ...

I'd thought about a cedar top, as I'd probably use it fingerstyle as much as strumming (just to give a different flair to things). But I think I'd want a back that is pretty rich / round too, to keep things from being too thin sounding. I do think body size could possibly matter even more than the tonewoods for something like this. I just don't know. But of course that's what makes it fun.

Interesting thought on the saddle.

Thanks

I've heard the term "Nashville Tuning" but don't really know what it is. Could anyone explain it to me?

Tres

Tuning higher up to mimic the sound of a twelve string.

Well, to be exact, it's tuning strings E, A, D and G an octave higher.

If you take a set of strings for 12-string guitar and remove half – the 'regular' six-string set – you're left with a set for Nashville tuning.

Exactamundo!

So I did this on one of my dreads recently, thinking it would provide a nice alternative texture for recording.

However, after having it that way for a couple of weeks, I reached the conclusion that I'd rather buy a dedicated 12-string than sacrifice one of my existing guitars for any extended priod of time.

Maybe if I had more guitars ... hey, that's pretty slick rationale, huh?