• Devan
  • Devan
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  • From: Darwin, Australia
  • Registered: 2010-04-13
  • Posts: 1,304

Topic: Tuning on 'John Henry'

Hi all, new fan of JB here.

I have been enjoying the 'Albert Hall' DVD, and was wondering if anyone knew what tuning Joe used on 'Ballad of John Henry'.  Was it simply dropped 'D' or perhaps a dropped 'C' tuning, as the guitar had a really low growl to it.

Also, was it the Petrucci signature Music Man that he played on that track?

Thanks,
Devan

JBLP Gold Top #129 - redubbed "#1 in Oz"

2 Reply by Voodoo Blues (edited by Voodoo Blues 2010-04-14 05:51:52)

  • Registered: 2009-03-07
  • Posts: 74

Re: Tuning on 'John Henry'

There are much more knowlegable people here but as far as I know he used a baritone guitar. There has been some debate about how accurate the available tabs are on sites like Ultimate Guitar.  Personally I use standard tuning and just transpose the notes played on the tuned down E to the open E and B on the A string. The tab shows the low E tuned down to B and the rest of the strings in standard tuning. I don't know how accurate it actually is though but it sounds good enough for me.

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Tuning on 'John Henry'

It depends on the version you listen to.  The recording of the BOJH album is in the key of "B" if I'm not mistaken.  Live I'm pretty sure it's in "A".  Just tune your low E string to either key and then bring the others down to standard pitch.  It really helps to have a baritone guitar for this because your strings will feel like spagetti noodles!  Big strings + baritone scale + drop tuning = BOJH.  I tried it on my Strat and, though it was fun, it didn't work too well!  lol

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  • Devan
  • Devan
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  • From: Darwin, Australia
  • Registered: 2010-04-13
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Re: Tuning on 'John Henry'

Thanks Voodo Blues and stratpaulguy86 for the replies.  smile

Yes, a baritone guitar makes sense, because it sounded so LOW and mean on the live DVD.  I wonder if this song was covered by someone who didnt have a baritone guitar, whether dropping the entire guitar down to 'D' would be enough to replicate the feel of the song?!?  stratpaulguy is right - if I tried to drop my guitar all the way down to even "B" tuning I would end up with a warbly, floppy mess...  big_smile

JBLP Gold Top #129 - redubbed "#1 in Oz"
  • Registered: 2009-04-15
  • Posts: 36

Re: Tuning on 'John Henry'

I think the album version is in B standard. My favourite version is this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUXX5HnBjx4 which I believe is in C standard tuning.

  • From: Harrison, Arkansas
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 3,155

Re: Tuning on 'John Henry'

Joe gives you a bit of it on the interview on the RAH dvd in standard tuning. It's how I figured it out for standard tuning.

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