Hello all,, I'm looking to buy a second bass to keep in Eb tuning....Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated..On a lower price line budget, but want to have as many options as possible to explore...Thanks!!
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4 string bass for Eb tuning...
- Thread starter MC Bassman
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Any bass will do it.
Pick one in a color you like.
Pick one in a color you like.
Any 4 string bass in the world. You could also ask ‘which 4 string bass for EADG tuning?’ Same answer.
Scale length is a matter of personal preference. Any bass would be fine. If you’re worried about the tightness of the strings, get heavier gauged strings.
This. Literally any bass can go a half step down.
Or, buy The Drop pedal and you can stay in standard
I know you asked specifically for 4 string, and completely respect it, but a heavy rotation of key of Eb (and D) songs is what made me move over to 5s. Just as another data point to serve as food for thought.
You should be just fine. I have a bass that I use with a group, I practice at home in EADG and then play with them a half step down with no issues.
wmhill
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If you play heavier stuff, the F series LTDs are pretty cool as they are 35" scale and feel a bit more right. The look isn't for everything though. The EMG pickup-equipped ones sound pretty great tuned down, and they sure won't break the bank. I think the one I had was the F204.
Ric5
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a cheap p-bass will be perfect for this
You don't *need* a second bass for Eb standard. You could instead purchase a Digitech Drop pedal. Each option comes with pros and cons.
Second bass pros:
* Good to have a backup
* Don't have to monkey with pedals
* If a Drop would be your first pedal, going the second bass route doesn't open a door to a dark, sinister, GASsy path. (The same could be said for not coming in to my house when we're having soup beans for dinner, but that's another matter altogether.)
Digitech Drop Pros
* Cheaper
* Lighter
* Don't have to schlep another bass just for a single alternate tuning
* No change in string tension between tunings
* Easier and faster to stomp it on and off than it is to change out basses
* Many different alternate tunings available
* Built-in octaver
I'm sure there are more pros for each... others are encouraged to chime in!
Second bass pros:
* Good to have a backup
* Don't have to monkey with pedals
* If a Drop would be your first pedal, going the second bass route doesn't open a door to a dark, sinister, GASsy path. (The same could be said for not coming in to my house when we're having soup beans for dinner, but that's another matter altogether.)
Digitech Drop Pros
* Cheaper
* Lighter
* Don't have to schlep another bass just for a single alternate tuning
* No change in string tension between tunings
* Easier and faster to stomp it on and off than it is to change out basses
* Many different alternate tunings available
* Built-in octaver
I'm sure there are more pros for each... others are encouraged to chime in!
I would go back and forth between the 2 tunings with the same bass. No problem at all. One band I was gigging with played 1/2 step down. The others played with an E tuning. You don't need 2 basses for this. Unless you want a second bass. I always say, so many basses, so little time.
I think this has more to do with string tension then type of bass. What style/genre of music will you be playing? If your more into rock/pop/punk stuff, going with a hex core "beefier" guage would do the trick.
I mean, this is what 5 strings are made for.
Also, any bass will work...
Hell just tune yours down a half step when needed. I'm guessing your action is plenty high to accommodate reduced tension.
Also, any bass will work...
Hell just tune yours down a half step when needed. I'm guessing your action is plenty high to accommodate reduced tension.
