Re: stairway, standard tuning or alternate?

[Nestor Tytla <tytlane@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Eddie has got it right.....the difference in "tunings" that you perceive is
indeed due to the inferiority of the equipment used to boot or duplicate the
shows. I have several versions of the same shows that depending on the media
(tape, vinyl or most recently CD) vary by over a half step.I've actually
corrected some of these by playing with the pitch control on my 4trak as I
found Percy's sharp or flat voice "off" as well. The only songs I'm aware of
where Page did differ his tunings from the studio version were the 70's
"accoustic sets" where he played TTW is "regular" tuning as opposed the the
half step down in the studio. I put regular in quotes as it's really an open
G tuning. During the live sets he kept it true to key so's that it made it
easier to segway right into either GTC or BCW. He also varies the tuning
used for TSRTS & RS for studio vs. live in the studio DGCGCD live EADADE.

Nowadays though with his TransPerformance fitted Gibson Lord knows what
tuning he's cruising in....who cares...God Bless him!

Nech

Eddie Edwards wrote:

> Pat Riley wrote:
>
> >I've heard the difference between the studio version and live
> >recordings too, and I think the difference in tuning is actually less
> >than a half step.
>
> There is *no* difference in tuning.
>
> >In the studio version, all tracks are perfectly in the key of C.
>
> Well, A minor actually, which is almost the same thing (no flats or
> sharps in the key signature).
>
> >I just listened to a couple of live versions, and they both seem to be
> >just a little sharp.
>
> You don't say what live versions you're referring to, but if they are
> boot versions then the tapes / CDs are probably playing at the wrong
> speed.  Not many boots have the speed precisely right, and some are way
> off.  If I trusted the good folk at the Mad Dogs label, I would believe
> that everything was tuned two semitones sharp at Berkeley, September 13
> 1971, and that the boys were in a hell of a hurry to commence the after-
> show activities.
>
> If you are referring to the official TSRTS and BBC versions, then your
> perception is wrong.  The tuning on live versions is the same as on the
> studio version.
>
> >I guess Jimmy just tuned all his strings about a half step sharp.  I've
> >noticed this in other songs, too, so maybe he just had a thing for
> >tighter guitar strings.
>
> What about the bass and keyboards?  Were they tuned sharp as well?  It's
> not physically impossible, but it is a somewhat ridiculous suggestion.
>
> Look, I'm sorry to be picky and to revisit ground recently covered by
> myself and others, but it bothers me that strange rumours like this
> might be taken seriously.  Zep's instruments were all tuned to normal
> concert pitch at live shows (with the notable exception of the
> mellotron, which was tuned to whatever pitch it felt like on the night).
>
> >As for the finger positions, I believe he always played it the same
> >way.  The only live video I have is TSRTS, but I am certain he plays it
> >the same way in this as in the studio version.
>
> The left hand fretting is the same, but he picks different patterns with
> the fingers of the right hand.
>
> --
> Eddie