Picked by tuning

Gear for low tunings

Strings, picks, guitars, amps and software for Drop and low standard tunings. Pick your tuning and the gear changes with it.

Tuning

The essentials for Drop C

Links to the shops · Learn more

Strings.011–.054

Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky 11-54Gauge with the right tension so the low string doesn't lose definition.Budget pick:D'Addario EXL117 11-56Also consider:.056 single stringNut filesView strings

Picks1.0 mm

Dunlop Jazz III XLGauge matched to your set: the lower the tuning, the stiffer the pick needs to be to keep attack on the low string.Budget pick:Dunlop Tortex 1.0 mmView picks

TuningPeterson StroboStomp HDOn very low notes, regular tuners wobble. A strobe reads tenths of a cent, so the low string stays in tune and chords ring clean.Budget pick:TC Electronic PolyTune 3Other options:Boss TU-3Korg Pitchblack XD'Addario NS MicroView tuners

Guitar & pickups

Made for low tunings: a longer scale, more strings and pickups with a tight low end.

InstrumentGuitars for this tuningReference models by string count (6, 7, 8). The featured model rotates between brands; the budget pick is on the line below.

6 stringsPRS SE Mark HolcombBudget pick:Jackson JS22 Dinky

7 stringsJackson Pro Series Soloist SL7Budget pick:Jackson JS22-7 Dinky HT

8 stringsJackson X Series Soloist SLAT8 Multi-ScaleBudget pick:Jackson JS32-8 Dinky HT

View guitars

PickupsLundgren M6Thicker strings move more air: a pickup with tight low-end response avoids mud and keeps notes separated.Budget pick:EMG 81/85Other options:Fishman Fluence ModernFluence Tosin Abasi SignatureSeymour Duncan Nazgûl & SentientBare Knuckle JuggernautDiMarzio TitanView pickups

Analog rig Amp · cab · pedals

The classic path: pedals in front of a real amp and cabinet.

AmpMesa Boogie Badlander 100The low-tuned metal benchmark: tight lows and gain that keeps thick strings from turning to mud, without losing the low-string definition.Budget pick:Peavey 6505 MHOther options:Orange Rockerverb 50 MKIIIVictory VX KrakenENGL Fireball 100Revv Generator 120Diezel VH4EVH 5150III 50W 6L6View amplifiers

CabinetEVH 5150III 4x12Completes the head's tone. A closed-back 4x12 delivers the punch and low-end response that drop tunings demand.Budget pick:Harley Benton 4x12Other options:Diezel 4x12ENGL E412 ProMesa Boogie Rectifier Standard 4x12Marshall 1960BOrange PPC412See guitar cabinets

OverdriveJHS Morning GloryThe #1 trick in metal: tightens lows and cleans up articulation on thick strings, in front of a high-gain amp.Budget pick:Ibanez TS MiniOther options:MXR TimmyKeeley Blues Driver ModFortin Zuul+ GrindMaxon OD808Horizon Devices Precision DriveView overdrives

Noise gateFortin Zuul+The #1 pedal for low tunings: kills high-gain hum and keeps palm mutes tight and defined.Budget pick:Boss NS-2Other options:MXR Smart GateTC Electronic SentryBoss NS-1XISP Decimator IIView noise gates

Pitch shifterBoss XS-1 Poly ShifterDrops your tuning inside the pedal: play in Drop B or Drop A without touching the tuners or changing strings. Handy for rehearsing songs in different tunings.Budget pick:Mooer Pitch BoxOther options:DigiTech Whammy VTC Electronic Sub 'N' UpDigiTech DropElectro-Harmonix Pitch Fork+View pitch shifters

Digital rig Modeler · software · IR's

Amps and cabinets modelled in a single unit or on your computer, heard through a flat-response speaker.

ModelerNeural DSP Quad CortexThe go-to modeler in modern metal: high-gain amps, captures and IRs ready for stage and studio, no head or cab needed.Budget pick:Valeton GP-5Other options:Fractal Audio FM9Neural DSP Nano CortexIK Multimedia Tonex OneBoss GX-100Kemper Profiler PlayerLine 6 HX StompHeadrush PrimeIK Multimedia Tonex PedalView modelers

FRFR CabinetHeadrush FRFR-112Full Range Flat Response: faithfully reproduces what your modeler or plugin sends, without colouring the signal. The natural partner for digital rigs.Budget pick:Headrush FRFR-108Other options:Line 6 Powercab 112 PlusQSC K12.2Alto TS410Laney IRT-XMission Engineering Gemini 2See FRFR cabinets

PluginsAmp softwareEverything a hardware modeler does, inside your computer. Ideal for home recording, with no amp or cab needed.

Neural DSPArchetype Gojira Neural DSPArchetype Nolly Neural DSPFortin Nameless BogrenAmpknob BDH III BogrenAmpknob RevC STL TonesToneHub ML Sound LabAmped Roots MercuriallSpark MercuriallU530 NembriniMesa IIC+NAMNeural Amp ModelerFree TONE3000NAM PluginFree Ignite AmpsEmissaryFree Ignite AmpsNRR-1Free ML Sound LabAmped Roots FreeFree Nick Crow8505 LeadFree AudifiedAmpLion FreeFree

Browse on Plugin Boutique

CapturesAmp capturesSnapshots of a real amp’s tone, ready to load into NAM, Kemper or Tonex — the same captures powering Lowforge’s own Practice rig.

ChoptonesMetal Modern vol1 (NAM)ML Sound LabEssentials Capture Pack amalgam audioPremium captures Six String LabNAM captures STL TonesDan Korneff Kemper Pack STL TonesKemper/Tonex Packs Tone JunkieToneX Capture Packs ChoptonesRock Pack Vol.2 (NAM)Deathblossom AudioAs used on LowforgeFree BlackstarOfficial captures (TONE3000)Free TONE3000Capture LibraryFree Six String LabFree amp packsFree GuitarMLToneLibraryFree Fractal AudioAxe-ChangeFree KemperRig ExchangeFree

Impulse responsesIR'sCaptures of real cabinets: they shape the final tone on top of a modeler or plugin.

CelestionMesa/Boogie Collection CelestionCelestion Plus OwnhammerModern IR Packs York AudioIR Collections ML Sound LabMikko IR Loader Seacow CabsMetal IR Packs Three SigmaGuitar IR Packs ChoptonesMetal Modern Vol.2 STL TonesCab Pack Mesa/BoogieCab IRsFree God's CabIR Loader + PacksFree Ignite AmpsNadIR LoaderFree CelestionIR SamplesFree York AudioIR SamplesFree OwnhammerIR SamplesFree

Maintenance

Changing tuning or string gauge changes the tension on the neck: the truss rod, the action and the nut slots usually need adjusting.

SetupAction adjustment kitTuning down lowers tension: it usually calls for a truss rod and action adjustment.View tools

CleaningGuitar cleaning kitFretboard oil, body polish and a microfibre cloth: the essentials to keep your guitar in shape between string changes.View cleaning kits

Courses to keep learning

Technique and setup courses for your instrument.

PlayAdvanced TechniqueLessons to take your technique beyond the basics: speed, fluency and repertoire.View course

Guitar setupPro Guitar Setup · Guitar Tech CoursesLearn to adjust action, truss rod and intonation yourself — handy every time you change tuning.View course

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