Eb tuning songs

[HolmeBass]

If the band is going to play it in Eb, I play in Eb. Not too terribly different than D as I rarely play open D or open G for tonal reasons.

If the band is going to play the Eb song in E (like so many seem to do for Superstition, for example), I use software to transpose the song up to E.

 

[Jeff Hughes]

I don't get a warble, but I do get a little more squish with each step down... and it's just a little. You might try a different bass and with/without other pedals to see if your warble is related to the tone you're feeding the pedal with.

The drop pedal surely loses its integrity as you push it lower. It helps to put it first in the chain and not run it through a lot of pedals. But the warble is something I can live with as a time saver.

 

[ics1974]

Did the OP receive the info needed?

Yes I did. I am leaning towards a second bass but I am interested in the Drop pedal. My worry about the drop pedal is the tone and the tracking.

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

Yes I did. I am leaning towards a second bass but I am interested in the Drop pedal. My worry about the drop pedal is the tone and the tracking.

Second bass is very nice option. I like the ring of open strings at times to punctuate things and overtones it adds.
To me if you do enough tunes detuned, then an Eb tuned instrument, it is a very great option.

BTW I have over a dozen basses, so having one tuned to Eb is a sensible thing for me to do, and even have it set up properly for the Eb tuning.

 

[Kukulkan61]

Yeah, but he had the whole band permanently tuned down a semitone so they were all just playing E-shapes anyway... that’s a specific playing/band choice by SRV & DT. And if you want that authentic sound feel for a play along with the CD there’s no option - you down tune. NEED the low Eb for a signature line is a rarer beast than prefer/could play/happen across the odd Eb tune...

Wasn’t the OP more asking about a general case for the “bedroom player” where the odd flat key tune comes along, anyway?

Yes the whole band is tuned down but the bass line still uses that open E string a lot..

 

[bass.slinger]

That's a bummer... I hadn't yet switched over to the double-shots, and now that I know this I won't be... I personally don't have much use for them (right now) if I can't do Eb and D with the string on E. Thanks for the correction!

I had the same response - I was getting ready to purchase a couple of double stop levers for my jazz basses and luckily read that pdf before ordering. I know JimmyM and others have had luck detuning to C but I find the string too floppy with low action, so D is it for me (even with a 0.110 E string).

 

[retslock]

Anytune Pro+ app. I use this great app constantly. It does a lot but for you, it changes pitch without changing tempo or, it changes tempo without changing pitch. It does much more but for practice, these two features very useful. Hard sections can be slowed way down to help you learn them.

 

[2112]

I had the same response - I was getting ready to purchase a couple of double stop levers for my jazz basses and luckily read that pdf before ordering. I know JimmyM and others have had luck detuning to C but I find the string too floppy with low action, so D is it for me (even with a 0.110 E string).

My E's don't usually get too flabby going down to D, but below that it's not good. Trying to direct-tune to CGCF (System of a Down - Aerials), C#F#BE (A Perfect Circle - Judith), and DbAbDbGb (The Who - Eminence Front) has produced less-than stellar results with .105-.110 strings on my 34" basses. This is where the Drop pedal really shines. As @Jeff Hughes mentioned above... you can't go too low... I haven't gotten fabulous results from the pedal below BEAD with any bass... but that's as low as I've ever had to go anyhow.

 

[GBBSbassist]

The ones that get called back, because they're playing cover songs, and don't stop everything to either de-tune every string, or switch guitars and screw up the sound guy.

How long does it take you to tune four strings down a half step?

 

[2112]

How long does it take you to tune four strings down a half step?

Using the Digitech Drop pedal, it takes me about half a second.

 

[GBBSbassist]

Using the Digitech Drop pedal, it takes me about half a second.

In this hypothetical situation where someone already owns a Digitech Drop pedal and has already set it up, sure. If you don't want to answer a simple question, then don't...

 

[2112]

In this hypothetical situation where someone already owns a Digitech Drop pedal and has already set it up, sure. If you don't want to answer a simple question, then don't...

It take 2 minutes to direct tune assuming one already owns a tuner and has already set it up. Seems to me using the Drop to change the tuning in a half-second is 240 times faster. I used a calculator to determine that. Not because I had to, but because, like the Drop, it's faster, and it works for me.

Later today, I'm going to use a remote control to change some channels on my TV. And... I'll probably use a microwave to warm up some leftovers. I'm sure someone out there will be upset that I didn't use my kids to change the channels or use the stove to reheat my dinner like they do. Doesn't matter, it works for me.

 

[CatOnTheBass]

It take 2 minutes to direct tune

No, it doesn't.

 

[2112]

No, it doesn't.

Maybe not for you. Now you know why I use a Drop pedal.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

How long does it take you to tune four strings down a half step?

I don't man, why don't you film it, and check. Tune it down, on point, play for a second, tune it back, on point, play, then do it again, + x(for more strings on guitars). Thats a decent amount of time for everybody to just be standing there. Going *diiiing diiiing diiiing dindindindindinding.*

 

[basszillla]

for jamming along to various songs in different tunings, just tune to D or Eb & capo the appropriate position to E tuning when applicable

 

[W_R]

Yes I did. I am leaning towards a second bass but I am interested in the Drop pedal. My worry about the drop pedal is the tone and the tracking.

Glad to hear. I have the Whammy DT, has the Drop built in. It’s worth a look and can be useful. To me, having had it a while, it shines as an effect (better with guitar) or to provide a secondary or quick-fix solution for occasional needs (guitar or bass)—a practice or learning situation is when I would least likely choose that over another bass. I hope this helps.

 

[JakobT]

I don't get a warble, but I do get a little more squish with each step down... and it's just a little. You might try a different bass and with/without other pedals to see if your warble is related to the tone you're feeding the pedal with.

I’ve only ever used it with all other pedals off, and at the start of the chain, as recommended by the manufacturer (I have a tuner in front of it, but that’s it). I get more or less the same effect with a P-bass and a Musicman.

 

[ics1974]

Well I ended up buying Amazing Slow Downer to simply change the pitch back to E. It works perfect!
Thanks for everyone’s help

 

[Sursonique]

I am a bedroom bass player (4 string bass only) and just like to learn songs and jam to mp3's. My question is regarding songs in Eb tuning.
What does everyone do when a song is tuned to Eb?
-Have a guitar dedicated just for Eb tuning
-Tune your guitar to Eb for that song then tune it back to regular tuning after
-Use software to change the pitch back to regular E tuning
-something else?

I have a bass for Eb tuning.. I also have another one for Drop D, another one for standard and so on. I'm just lazy and I like to find excuses to buy more basses.