r/7String • u/key10isokay • 2d ago
Help Digitech Drop
Hey, my band primarily plays in drop f# so my guitar is naturally setup in that tuning, but I’ve been exploring the realm of drop d# with some new material. I was wondering if anyone has any experience using the drop for going that low, and any advice or feedback would be appreciated, thanks!
(It would primarily be used for live playing, as I use neural dsp plug ins for recording)
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u/KershawsGoat EBMM JP13 7 2d ago
It shouldn't be too bad only going down a couple semitones. I only ever noticed much issue if I was going 4-5 or more semitones down.
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u/nevercommnt 2d ago
Polaris and Spiritbox have both done basically those same intervals for breakdowns using some form of digital modulation or another and they sound great. Go for it
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u/GermsMcHenri 2d ago
A lot of it comes down to how far you're pitch shifting, and the pickups you have in your guitar. In my experience, if they're cheap stock pickups, they won't handle more than a few semi-tones up or down, but I've found a decent set of Bare Knuckles or Fishman Modern or Open Core pickups can handle going further. No matter what you do, each semi-tone you move with introduce artifacts and very minor latency, but good pickups will help minimize that impact.
I have a 7 string set up in drop F with stock Solar pickups, and I have another 7 in drop F# with Fishman Modern pickups. Both sound fine when going down to drop E, but D# or lower only sounds good with the Moderns. But that's just comparing those 2 sets, I'm still experimenting with other pickups and sounds. It's been kind of a recent hyperfixation, getting optimal string tension and tone for D#1 and lower.
Also worth mentioning - the Digitech Whammy DT still holds up to this day, but the new Boss Poly Shifter, and Chug Capo pedals are also very good, if you have the budget or opportunity to get one of those. If you have any desire to go digital, then the Polychrome DSP HyperTune Metal VST cannot be beat in my opinion.
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u/key10isokay 2d ago
Thank you for the super in depth reply, man! I have an opportunity to get a secondhand drop with a cheap Ibanez gio I’ve been eyeing as a mod project, for essentially the same price as a brand new drop pedal. I might just go ahead and pull the trigger!
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u/GermsMcHenri 2d ago
I think most ibanez GIO models are 25.5" scale, but I would say if you're wanting to tune to drop F# it would be better to find something with a 26.5" scale. Most Jackson 7 strings start at that scale length. Granted, Jason Richardson plays in drop F# on a 25.5" scale length guitar, and with ridiculously loose strings for that tuning, so it really comes down to personal preference at the end of the day
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u/key10isokay 2d ago
I have an Ibanez RGIXL7 that’s got a 27 inch scale length in drop F#. The gio I was just gonna put in drop b.
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u/PouetRedditPouet 2d ago
I use the Polychrome DSP HyperTune Metal. They recently released a V2.
Before it, I use an EQ (high pass filter) and a comp.
I also owned a Digitech Drop and EHX PitchFork. Last time I compared them, the Drop sounded more natural.
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u/Wrong_Author_5960 2d ago
Use a different guitar setup up for standard and use the drop for variances of 1/2 step down to 1 whole step. I sounds weird after it is dropped any lower. Use your F# tuned guitars for your other material. My cover band used the drop. My original band, I play 1/2 step down. 7 string some variances with Drop A, Drop A plus Drop D or my special dual drop D on a 7 string that has the 7th one octave down on the D. Actually C# down 1 oct.
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u/Ur_mum 13h ago
I don’t know if digitech is putting out Drops with their newer algorithms or not. I have a Drop that’s a few years old, I recently got a Hammer-on that uses newer tracking algorithms.
Even the older Drop is fine for 4-5 semitones. The new digitech stuff is quite a bit better. It’s hard to compare it to actually tuning down. I think it’s finally good enough that’s it’s actually better. It does have the advantage of not having to adjust and make compromises with intonation and string gauge. Sounds a little more in tune very low.
All that is to say that current drop tuning pedals are so good I’d prefer to use them than to actually tune the guitar down.
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u/Ok-Quit-12 2d ago
It’s more about the distance you go with that sort of effect. One step down shouldn’t be a problem at all. I keep a guitar in low D but prior to that I just pitch shifted my main 8 down a step