For those who tune a half step down,Eb, did you find yourself having to change string guages to compensate for the less pressure on the neck to keep the same feel you had when tuned to standard. Thanks
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Eb Tuning
- Thread starter zipnla
- Start date
No, Daddario XL nickel 45-125(or 130). Redid the setup though. Would have needed larger gage for full step or lower.
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Me neither, but that also depends on your string choice and playing style. I played in bands for many years that were tuned down 1/2 step, but at the time I was also playing 4 string basses with higher tension steel strings. YMMV
No…however, when I tune from Eb down to Drop C# it can get a little floppy so that’s where the string gauge drop helped.
Nope. I’ll play the same bass in both tunings with no issues.
My band regularly tunes to drop C# and I have find that it's better to stick your your current gauge. Trying different brands is better than trying to adjust to a heavier gauge. Floppy strings are easier to play than strings being too taut to play. If you play nickel-plated strings, try DR Lo-Rider and GHS Boomers of the same guage as they have a larger core and feels more taut.
Not so much for Eb! I have basses tuned in E, Eb, D, and C#. When it gets down to D (and lower) that was where I noticed that string guages made a difference for me. I also only have 35" scale basses so that may be a variable as well. But...that's just me
This is a Fender Jazz, 34" of course. Thanks for the replyNot so much for Eb! I have basses tuned in E, Eb, D, and C#. When it gets down to D (and lower) that was where I noticed that string guages made a difference for me. I also only have 35" scale basses so that may be a variable as well. But...that's just me
I personally do not need to change string gauges to play in Eb, but someone technically would need to change string gauges if they were highly concerned about keeping the "same feel." Going up or down in tuning with the same strings is going to change the tension and therefore the feel to one degree or another. Personally I tend to prefer a little lower than average tension most of the time anyway so I'm not much concerned with the change in going down a half step with the same set of strings.
20 plus year ago I only had my Ibanez ATK 5 string and was in a couple bands. One was classic rock in Eb standard and the other was standard tuning and Drop D and A and sometimes we were in standard dropped A. DR SS Lo Riders or D’Addario ProSteels (the only strings I used for a decade) never felt floppy to me in any of those tunings. Nor did I ever touch the truss rod.
I actually prefer the feel tuned down a half step. I use a Fender Jazz with some pals who tune down so I get kinda used to that and then it feels weird if I tune it back up!
Back in my college days, I played a StingRay 5 in a band that tuned down a half step as well, I thought it felt and sounded awesome
Back in my college days, I played a StingRay 5 in a band that tuned down a half step as well, I thought it felt and sounded awesome
For the most part, I use lower tensions strings (DR round core, Thomastik flats, etc) and I have zero issuses going from E standard to half step down. In fact, I probably would not tolerate a bass that even needed a setup change between the two.
No, and I find it takes about the same time to switch basses and check tuning mid set as it does to down tune half a step.
Using a couple of basses (4 strings) in Eb for the last few weeks. Had to adjust truss rod and saddles a little but so far so good. All of them are strung with high tension strings (Lo Riders).
We tuned down a 1/2 step for the Country band. This was a few years back but, it was helpful and the biggest adjustment was tonally. It felt off at first but, both singers were able to perform better and we didn't have to change the way we were playing things.
I was using a Dimension Deluxe 5 and Precision V and didn't have to make any truss rod or saddle adjustments.
No I have not. I play .40-.100 on a short scale so it’s even less tension and have no issues.
Me too. During the same set, in fact. For context, I've done this on a few different basses (a P bass, a J bass, and an Ibby RS800), each strung with 45-105 Rotosounds.
Nah, no change. Maybe a slight tweak to the trussrod but not sure if that was even necessary.
I do not.
Pressurewounds on a 5 string jazz bass. String feel difference is not noticeable (to me).
Pressurewounds on a 5 string jazz bass. String feel difference is not noticeable (to me).
