Ever wonder how metal artists get those heavy metal grinds on their guitars? Well, basically, we got the distortion going on, heavy as usual, but it is actually all about the tuning and the strings. If you really want to obtain a heavy sound, try the following:
- Tune down – try tuning down your guitar a whole step down (whole step means to semitones or two frets) so instead of the standard E, A, D, G, B, and E, we have the standard D tuning; D G C F A D.
- Heavier Gauge Strings – if you are tuning down, you should first use a thicker set of strings or heavy gauge strings. Tuning down with late gauges could cause it to loosen, which results to murky sound and uber sofa string action. That is why, string with thicker gauges are better when doing tune downs.
- Distortion – try using a heavier – sounding distortion. I like the heavy sound of the BOSS MetalCore pedal. Simple control, thick and massive tone. Perfect for punchy heaviness that we are trying to accomplish.
- Guitars – not all guitars are suitable for this kind of playing. It’s ok to use Stratocasters and Les Pauls but if you really want a heavier metal sound, use guitars that have active pickups, like EMG’s.
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