Changing tunings during a gig

Sounds like a reason to buy a new guitar and keep it in the alternative tuning! 8)

Or get tuning machine that allows quick de-tuning:
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guitar,_solid_peghead_tuners/Hipshot_Guitar_Extender_Keys.html

Look at where they are in your set list. If you can put the altered tunes at the end of sets without breaking your flow, just go with it - drop D or even double drop D is easy to get into, and you can get back to standard during the break.

But if they're in the middle of the set, or if it's a tuning that will take more than half a minute to tune to, like an open E tuning, I bring another guitar for it. If you go that route, think it through - you need extra stands, you need to think through how you'll handle changing the inputs for the electric ones so it looks smooth, and very important - you'll need to plan out where the extra guitars are on the stage so nobody knocks them over during the show!

if you can't get to the new tuning with a capo and if you can't have another guitar on hand and if you can't re tune without telling a story to the audience then you should change the set list.

I think the ONLY solution is a 2nd guitar.
That's it... 'nuff said.
The wife will just have to understand. Time to hop on Craigslist/Kijiji.

Just FYI... I keep my steel string (Ovation) at drop D most of the time, and my classical in standard tuning. Works for me.
The other option would be borrowing a 2nd guitar for the gig (if you know anyone). I just got my Ovation back after 2 weeks lent to a friend of mine who wanted to have a 2nd guitar on hand (in case of string breakage) during a big performance his band was having.

Thanks guys! Another guitar it is!! LOL.

Well, I've got two guitars for two different tones of fingerstyle, and there are 3-4 songs that are drop d.

One is going to be at the end of the first half, so I can tune during the break no big deal. But the rest are kind of in the middle, I need to figure out how many I have I think it's 3.

I'm not done finalizing it, so it can all be worked in and out I think.

Joe, just think how many more guitars you'll be able to justify buying when you start experimenting with DADGAD and open tunings ... :wink:

LOL, you know I've seriously thought about buying that Ibanez AF75 Hollow body....I've got the cash....but it SHOULD be put to a credit card.....oh what the hell, the debt'll still be there when I get back :D :D j/k

Joe, just think how many more guitars you'll be able to justify buying when you start experimenting with DADGAD and open tunings ... :wink:

when I went multiple tunings I ended up with eleven instruments. :roll:

I think a dedicated guitar to the tuning is a good idea. I was gonna suggest telling a story while you tune but DogBite said that bites. :lol: I thought, yeah, it does. There is a grizzled vetran that I like to watch play acoustic guitar when I go to St. Augustine on vacation and he has a wonderful old Gibson Hummingbird but he uses a capo and seems to have to retune everytime he clamps or unclamps it. It is annoying watching him tune as he makes small talk.

Thanks guys for all the help!

I've only got a few songs that are in drop D, so I'm thinking that if I keep my acoustic tuned to drop D, and drop my classical to Drop D before switching to the acoustic, play the acoustic in Drop D before going to the break, then play tune that up during the break, play the next song in drop d on the classical and tune that, I only have to tune twice while people are listening.

Does that make sense? It barely does to me LOL.

I'm only really going to be background music anyway....at least I think...and kind of hope a little bit.