[Havoc_XVI]

Hey everyone I need to know what this tuning Is C F Bb Eb G C
and how to get to It. Thanks.

[allthumbs]

Hmmm. Assuming the top and bottom string indicate what the basis for the tuning is, the intervals from bottom to top 1,4,b7,b3,5,1. means it would be a Cm7+4 or a Cm11 though it would be odd to have the 11 in the bass. I can sort of see why it was done that way. If you play this at the 8th fret, the C11 covers all six strings on the same fret.
It would be tricky to tune without a tuner.
Here's how I would do it with just the guitar. A string First fret= Bb. 6 string first fret= F. B string fourth fret= Eb. B string first fret =c( tune 1 string only to C at this point). 6 string third fret=G. Now tune the 6 string to the C on the first string and your done. Tune down not up. Good luck.

[Havoc_XVI]

Thanks alot that helps me out alot.

[Fretsource]

Havoc - I don't know if you're aware that this is just standard tuning, but lowered by a major third (4 frets). All the chord shapes and scale fingerings will be unchanged with this tuning (except they'd all be transposed down).
For example, the simple chord shape on frets: 022000, which is E minor in standard tuning, would become C minor in your tuning.

If you put a capo on at the fourth fret after tuning it to those notes, you'd be right back to normal pitch and tuning: EADGBE.

[allthumbs]

Har. I was assuming it was an open C tuning of some kind. I should have twigged when I saw it at the 8th fret. Doh. I have never tuned down to C before though I know that Hendrix and John Lee Hooker among others were known to play a tune or two in that.

[Fretsource]

I didn't twig immediately either Allthumbs. It was only when I read your description of the chord type (m7+4) that I thought it sounded familiar, and realised it was the same type as the standard tuning open string chord.
Hendrix sometimes played it that low? What's the advantage? extra wide bends? low action? I imagine you'd have to watch out for fretbuzz and other unwanted side effects if you're not careful, right?

[allthumbs]

Originally Posted by Fretsource

I didn't twig immediately either Allthumbs. It was only when I read your description of the chord type (m7+4) that I thought it sounded familiar, and realised it was the same type as the standard tuning open string chord.
Hendrix sometimes played it that low? What's the advantage? extra wide bends? low action? I imagine you'd have to watch out for fretbuzz and other unwanted side effects if you're not careful, right?

He played an acoustic version of Hear My Train Acoming. He did some mean string bends in that tuning. John Lee Hooker did that tuning with Rockin Chair. A very bassy droning kind of tune, raw and powerfull.