I like playing around with new tunings so when I read about Frank Gambale's alternate tuning I decided to set up my Korean Spirit Steinberger that has been sitting in it's case for most of the last year or two for this tuning. Mr Gambale's tuning works like this:
ADGC EA(E and A are down an octave)
A thru C(6-3) are the usual 5-2 from a set of 10s
E and A are D(4) and G(3) from a 09 set. I used whatever spares I had around just to check it out.
6th string = A (usually the 5th string)
5th string = D (usually the 4th string)
4th string = G (usually the 3rd string)
3rd string = C (usually the 2nd string but up a half step)
2nd string = E (same pitch as 2nd fret on a D string on a regularly tuned guitar) I used a .24 or .26
1st string = A (same pitch as 2nd fret on a G string on a regularly tuned guitar) I used a .17
So just lose the low E and everything is basically moved over to next lower string location. The lowest 4 strings are now up a fourth from the usual and the top 2 strings are an octave lower than usual. The note relationships haven't really changed, just the range of the instrument and the actual pitches. This tuning makes it so you can easily play close interval chords with the familiar grips you already know. I think of it as a form of an Alto tuning without the low bass on the bottom like Joe Beck had come up with.
I recorded some simple major 7 chords and then jammed on top of it.. The lead is dominant on the track but I think it shows how easy I was able to do a rhythm track with familiar chord grips that sounds so different than if I had used a conventionally tuned guitar and the same grips for the same rhythm guitar part.
Arpeggiated passages seem like an interesting area to investigate too, as a familiar picking pattern will readily take you to a new sonic space. I am definitely going to explore this alot more!