is tuning down a 1/2 step bad for my neck?

[pasta4lnch]

started doing some gigs where the singer wants to tune down a 1/2 step. i would normally just play the tunes down, but they are tunes I've been playing a while and I'd rather not use my brain unless I have to

I am just concerned what the lack of tension will do to the neck. not to mention if the "B" will even be playable . . . (this is the ultimate in laziness. probably took more time to write this thread than to just try it out. I just HATE alternate tunings.)

[Stingray_EB]

lol i dont think tuning down is going to do your neck any harm tbh, it is advised when you tune down a more than few notes (CGCF eg.) that you do it in steps instead of going straight down there as that is a sudden jolt to the neck.

[twangchief]

Aside from having a 'floppier' B string, all that you may have to do is loosen the truss rod a pinch.

It won't harm the bass neck.

[Jools4001]

You know, in the days before electronic tuners, I used to tune my bass to the keyboards at gigs. When I was at home practising, I only ever used to tune the bass relative to itself and often it was easily a half tone in either direction and I never bothered, nor cared. No damage at all to the necks of any of my basses due to slighter taughter or slacker strings in over 20 years...they're a lot tougher than people credit

[lburton2]

Im one of my cover bands I play everything a half step down and in a jazz group and another rock group i play in standard.... And I play a 5-string.. So your situation sounds VERY similar to mine.. If this is the only band you're in.. why not just calibrate/set-up your bass to a half step down so you get a decent tone and less floppiness.. better action etc... it makes things a lot better.. a lot better tone on your B if you set it up to a half step down too.. And if you have to play other songs in standard than use another bass.. Or just play everything half step down with that band. That's how I roll.

[pasta4lnch]

thanks! I only have one fiver, would be great if I had a dedicated one. . . I;m just being a wuss - I hate alternate tunings.

[QU!CK]

I've been tuning down a half-stsep for years and never had any issues with the neck from it. ALOT of gospel players tune this way for ease in playing. Personally, I prefer it now but that's just my POV.


-J

[phoenix742]

I tune my 5 down a whole step and don't have any problems at all. Just set it up a bit (it doesn't take much) and I really enjoy less string tension.

[blubolt]

I am having a MAJOR time with my Geddy getting the action set tuned a half step down. Anyone have any tips on setup?

[beelzelboss]

well, my entire band plays in dropped C standard (CGCF)... When i first started I used really low tension lights and had terrible sound. For my birthday my friend got me DR loRider heavies. Since its thicker and a different make, they are much higher string tension. I'm not saying they are almost normal, but they are much better. If i were you, and your only going down 1/2 step, i would just get like a littl ebig of thicker strings. like for me i went from 40/100 up to 50/120 and it made a difference.
I think standard for 5 string is 45/130(?) just go up 5, 50/135 or w/e the next highest up is...
Oh and btw all the numbers are .000 like 40 = .040 get it?

[blubolt]

got it. Thanks. I'll give it a try

[Solarmist]

Originally Posted by twangchief

Aside from having a 'floppier' B string, all that you may have to do is loosen the truss rod a pinch.

It won't harm the bass neck.

+1 - Exactly

You may want to use a 130/135 gauge string for B flat

[atheos]

I tuned my Ibanez GSR200 a few years ago to BEAD and I did it straight from EADG without changing the strings. I kept it that way for months, no problem at all. I had to adjust the truss rod a bit but I did that as well just once (like 3-4 whole turns) and the bass is still kicking, no damage of any kind to the neck.

So yeah, they are harder to crack than what people generally believe. I'm not saying that you shouldn't be careful but just don't lose your sleep because of it 1/2 step down tune is no big deal and there's no way to break a healthy neck by doing so.

[ihateusernames]

EBMM recommends going up one 'size' in string gauge when tuning 1/2 step down to maintain the same tension.