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Constantly retuning

jpmcbride

jpmcbride

Aug 31, 2009
1,031
3,205
Phoenix, AZ
#1
I'm joining a band that tunes down 1/2 step. I've decided to tune down with them to make things easier. Obviously I could just transpose down 1/2 step - no problem. But I think it makes things easier to all be in the same tuning. In any case, the purpose of this thread isn't to debate down-tuning, there are enough threads on TB about that!

I play in two bands now - one in standard and one tuned down 1/2 step. I'd like to play the same bass in both bands. I was wondering if constantly tuning up and down would shorten the life of the strings. I use flats and I like the way they sound when worn in and don't want to be replacing them all the time.
 
#4
I wouldn't worry about the strings. My concern would be whether you can set up the bass so that it plays equally comfortably for you in both tunings. For example, you might have to set the action higher than you like in standard tuning to avoid fret buzz when downtuned. (I'm assuming you don't want to have to do a complete set up every time you go back and forth.) This might not be a problem for you depending on what you find most comfortable, but I don't think I'd be able to do it myself because I like my action super-low and so would have serious buzz issues if I downtuned.
 
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#8
jpmcbride said:
I'm joining a band that tunes down 1/2 step. I've decided to tune down with them to make things easier. Obviously I could just transpose down 1/2 step - no problem. But I think it makes things easier to all be in the same tuning. In any case, the purpose of this thread isn't to debate down-tuning, there are enough threads on TB about that!

I play in two bands now - one in standard and one tuned down 1/2 step. I'd like to play the same bass in both bands. I was wondering if constantly tuning up and down would shorten the life of the strings. I use flats and I like the way they sound when worn in and don't want to be replacing them all the time.
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I would just either play a five string, or keep one bass in Eb, and the other in standard.
 
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#9
jpmcbride said:
Its a P-bass with a rock solid maple neck. I set it up for E with lowish action, and its still good in Eb with no buzz.

But my Mustang bass is another story. Its buzz city when downtuned to Eb.
Click to expand...
It's just a slight turn of the truss rod to compensate for the less tension. Just a scotche
 
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#14
I too play with guys who tune down a half step. I usually play a bb435 and chromes with them and great results. I have also brought my p5 with TI flats and have enjoyed great results.

I really don't think that a half step up or down would make a difference on most basses.
 
#16
The band I'm in used to detune down a half step, for our former singer. For awhile, I did this while playing in another, tuning to standard.

The bass I was using between both was a Highway One Jazz, strung with GHS Pressurewounds.

I don't think it shortened the life of the strings, but got into my head regarding playability... detuned, they were of course less tension. It seemed I had to alter my attack, adapting to them.

I now have some Boomers on it, less tension at standard tuning than the GHS PW's (I believe; sure feels like it), and I must have adjusted somewhere, cause they actually feel pretty good, too.

So many variables, it's hard to keep track of them all.
 
#17
The bass plays just fine in Eb with the original setup in E. Action is low in either tuning with no buzz. The neck is rock solid. I can go back and forth between E and Eb without any issues with the bass. I was just wondering if I might shorten string life.

It sounds like a few people have done this with no string issues. So it appears it wouldn't be a problem.

But ... I saw an ad on CL for a Precision Bass wanting to trade for a Telecaster. It just happens that I have a Tele that hangs on the wall unused. I can trade the Tele for a Precision and tune it to Eb and keep my regular Precision in E. Because of course the right answer on TB is always to buy another bass!

Anyway, the trade is setup for tomorrow morning!
 
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#18
I don't want to get into the whole down-tuning debate, but I'll share my thought if anyone is interested - or not :D I've always had the opinion that there was no need to tune down - that I could just play the song in the actual key wherever it fell on the bass - no problem. But of course that's easy to say when its theoretical. When I actually started playing with someone that down-tuned I realized its much easier to just tune down 1/2 step to match him.

The reason its easier for me to tune to match him is that the guitar is tuned down, but the guy refers to chords and keys as if it wasn't. I could transpose this in my head easy enough, its only 1/2 step, but it can be distracting. If we're figuring out a song, or he's telling me how a chord progression goes, its much easier if we're both talking and thinking the same way. Its all about communication.
 
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#19
I tune down to learn some songs that we play in E but were recorded in Eb. The only issue I notice is more tendency toward fret buzz but since I'm only practicing that way I don't really care much about that. For a performance in that tuning I'd need a little tune up at the bridge.

As for transposing, it's easy enough if you're oriented toward patterns / intervals. I got lazy and learned one of the Eb songs in standard tuning just because it never used an open Eb, so there was no urgency to downtune. BL and I played it in rehearsal - when we were starting out I hit an Eb and he reminded me that it's being performed in E and I just shrugged and moved up a half-step. I'm not a player who thinks a whole lot about the names of notes I'm playing - I know what they are if you ask me, but I play intervals. BL was impressed that I was able to do that.

So transposing is also an option if you can work that way, but you won't have that low Eb and that could be a problem.
 
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#20
With flats...you should be fine. Rounds are a bit more sensitive to string tension changes (in my experience), and can act like a micro file on the nut. As other posts mention, the difference from a half down and standard is negligible.
If I were to still worry about it....I'd probably go ahead and tune 1/2 down then transpose the standard tunings up one fret as opposed to trying to get Eb out of a standard E. The other option is to get 5'er and leave it in standard. You'll find you play a lot between the 5-7th position, which many people find quite comfortable and kind of a sweet spot for even a 4 string bass. I... personally... am a bit more linear, and have never really grown to enjoy a 5'er. Although, it is a viable option for you.
 

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