Eb Tuning

[bigtone23]

I usually have the same 45-105 on the Eb as I use on the E tuning. It's close enough. I tried 50-110 Eb and it was a little more stiff than 45-105 E.

 

[pb9717]

My basses choke out when i tune down, so a 1/2 turn loosening on the rod fixes it. But as my action is pretty low in standard, if I don't loosen the rod, the bass becomes a buzz monster.

 

[Nedmundo]

One of my bands tunes down a half step, and I haven't changed string gauges. I normally use DR round core strings, which are flexible, and it's been fine. But my Sandberg handles this better than my G&L M-2500, which sometimes gets a little buzzy. This generally doesn't come through the amp, and after a slight loosening of the truss rod, it sounded great at rehearsal last week. (I think the neck needed a little more relief anyway.) I've ordered some DR DDT strings out of curiosity, but I love the tone with the Dean Markley SR2000 set on there now.

 

[michael_t]

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

What specific brand/type/gauges do you normally use for the standard EADG tuning. I ask because it all depends on the strings as to whether or not they can be tuned down half a step without affecting the overall feel.

Here's just an example of how I deal with down-tuning... (I have one J bass tuned to EADG and another one tuned to DGCF.)

GHS Pressurewounds 40-54-76-96 in EADG = 147.2 lbs. in total tension.
GHS Pressurewounds 44-62-84-106 in DGCF = 148.5 lbs. in total tension.

I don't play in Eb standard, but if I did, I would use the GHS Pressurewounds 44-58-80-102, which weighs in at 150.8 lbs.

 

[SC Bassboy]

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

In short, no. Though I never paid much attention to it, I really like the lower string tension. After doing some math I figured out that playing .5 step down is essentially the same as going down one gauge (.105 to .100). I play .100 so the tension is about the same as a set of .095 strings. It's easier to fret, bend notes and the strings vibrate a little more, sounding more musical to my ears. All my basses are .5 down though so I've never bothered stringing a set with .095 to play in standard. I should though. Might be fun.

 

[Savage_Dreams]

A half step doesn't change much of anything, Unless youre using some already crazy light string gauge. If your action was super duper low to begin with you may need a slight adjustment.

 

[JoeyFab]

No.

 

[RGerhart]

No, but I also use hex-core strings, which tend to be a little stiffer. I have a P bass that is tuned do Eb, along with having a detuner (going down to Db), and I use the D'Addario NYXL 45 - 105 set, and it's just fine.

 

[Mtheory]

Nope. Sounds like that story The Princess and the Pea.