r/metalguitar • u/Marcojolo • 9d ago

4ths tuning

Why don’t metal guitarists use 4ths tuning. Seems like it would simplify everything as far as learning the fingerboard. Seems like it is tailor made for metal especially.

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u/CockSweatExtreme 8d ago

I use 4ths tuning and play an instrument. Ive found it much easier to memorize chords and scales and make them more modular on the guitar while only sacrificing barre chords. It does make some chords more complicated but as a stylistic choice I almost always omitted the 5th before I switched anyway.

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u/Marcojolo 8d ago

If you get a multiscale guitar with the perpendicular fret at around the 12th fret or higher you can easily play barre chords and keep those open G shapes…..I don’t think multiscale guitars are uncommon in metal circles.

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u/CockSweatExtreme 8d ago

I play a strandberg, barre chords across frets are not something I would personally do. I've found it more fun to find different voicings for chords that fit my needs.

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u/Marcojolo 8d ago

I’m the same…..but Barre chords and open chords seem to be a deal breaker for a lot of players as far as switching to 4ths.

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u/CockSweatExtreme 8d ago

Yeah, I realized how rarely I actually use them and how much easier it is to move around the neck and it was a no brainer for me. It also makes switching back and forth between my 6 string bass more seamless

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u/Marcojolo 8d ago

Fretboard navigation is SOOOOO much easier……at least that’s been my experience.