This may be a stupid question, but I was wondering, is it bad for your guitar (or the strings) if you regularly tune it down half a step and then tune it back up to standard tuning?

I just wondered if it stretched out the strings or anything...

Thanks for your help!

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1/2 step either way will not do any harm at all,however I wouldn't try an octave lol.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

It will wear them out prematurely and won't allow your neck to settle in; your intonation will be affected too.

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You dig?

I was going by my own experience ,I used to play at home tuned to E flat and when I gigged or jammed I'd go to normal pitch and never had any problems but as has been said many times on this forum YMMV.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Although I do agree with Martian, do what ya gotta do. Strings are cheap! The most important part about being in tune however is having your guitar setup properly. My opinion anyhow.

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-Kirk

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