There is another way to look at this: it is a different instrument. I tune mine to D and play the song. I am fortunate enough to play with some guys who are able to put up with my lunacy and it all works out. Leo Kottke says he uses heavy gauge strings when he tunes to C#. I have been doing this stuff since I first saw Bob Gibson in 1961. He played a Vega which he constantly had to tune. He called it bad names. Anyway Rick Neely says he used D'Addario mediums. I have a Gibson j185 12 currently as well as a Banzer. The latter has a redwood top and will not stand even medium gauge strings. I use Elixir light gauge strings on the Gibson.I use a Fishman rare earth magnetic pickup. That helps me tune. I tend to use harmonics to tune. Electric tuners are great but they tend to erase my ear. In a pinch, fine. I use a shubb capo when necessary. No, it is not perfect but life is full of things I don't like. Thanks, Terry