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My Band is Going Eb - So I'm Changing Strings

#41
I am quite amazed at how many bass players tune to Eb. I never realized it was so popular. After singing all our songs in Eb (it was a little weird at first), I don't think we will ever go back.

The F# string sounds exactly as it sound. Much fuller with less rasp. I like my setup low so I can get the rasp when I want it, but can ease up a bit to remove it when the song calls for that. When I practice without the band, I love playing Rush. Geddy is my mentor from afar.

I am super satisfied with the results so far. I can't wait to play them with the band to hear how it sits in the mix.
 
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#42
Rod Barchetta said:
So, I got my strings today. First, the sets I play normally are the Hybrids, so they were actually 45-65-86-105. When I went to 55-75-90-110 and tuned to Eb, the truss rod relief was 0,08", right on target. After breaking them in a bit and making sure I had the setup correct, I played The Boys Are Back In Town and Flying High Again by Ozzy. Both require really fast picking, especially the Ozzy tune.

Wow, was I impressed. The tension is almost identical to my previous set tuned to to E. And it is so much easier to pick quickly cleanly with the heavier strings.


I sing the high part in American Band as well. It was right on the edge of my range tuned to E. In Eb I can nail it. It is amazing the difference a 1/2 step makes.
Click to expand...

I sing lead on American Band, no way I could do the high part.
 
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#43
Rod Barchetta said:
I am quite amazed at how many bass players tune to Eb. I never realized it was so popular. After singing all our songs in Eb (it was a little weird at first), I don't think we will ever go back.

The F# string sounds exactly as it sound. Much fuller with less rasp. I like my setup low so I can get the rasp when I want it, but can ease up a bit to remove it when the song calls for that. When I practice without the band, I love playing Rush. Geddy is my mentor from afar.

I am super satisfied with the results so far. I can't wait to play them with the band to hear how it sits in the mix.
Click to expand...

Thru the years I've used all sorts of different tunings. Eb, DGCF, BEAD, DEADG..... and sometimes even EADG :D

I've got a few Basses tuned up to those different tunings, I just have to make sure I grab the right one on the way to the gig.
 
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#45
Rod Barchetta said:
So, I got my strings today. First, the sets I play normally are the Hybrids, so they were actually 45-65-86-105. When I went to 55-75-90-110 and tuned to Eb, the truss rod relief was 0,08", right on target. After breaking them in a bit and making sure I had the setup correct, I played The Boys Are Back In Town and Flying High Again by Ozzy. Both require really fast picking, especially the Ozzy tune.

Wow, was I impressed. The tension is almost identical to my previous set tuned to to E. And it is so much easier to pick quickly cleanly with the heavier strings.


I sing the high part in American Band as well. It was right on the edge of my range tuned to E. In Eb I can nail it. It is amazing the difference a 1/2 step makes.
Click to expand...
Just so I know which specific strings you're using, you got a set of the .110-gauge Ernie Ball Cobalt flats, or am I mistaken?
 
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#48
Rod Barchetta said:
My band has started to play a few songs that require Eb tuning. Rather than carrying around two instruments each, we decided to just play everything in Eb. This has been a godsend for me. I sing all the harmonies for the band and lead on a few songs. It is so much easier on my throat, especially now that I'm getting older (62).

I've decided to try thicker strings on my Eb bass. I have all my bass guitars set up with really low action. I had to raise it just to eliminate fret buzz. The strings are also a little too floppy for my tastes. To that end, I've got a set of much thicker strings coming in to see how these two factors accommodate each. I play Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats almost exclusively, 45-65-80-100. The set I have coming in are 55-75-90-110. That's a big jump, but I play pretty aggressively. I've also been a little disappointed in the sound quality of my G string; it sounds a little thin.

I will report back on the results. I may order a 50-70-85-105 set and put them on a different bass to compare them.
Click to expand...
My old band also does this due to the lead singer not having the high notes he used to. We play harder repertoire as well as a couple of power ballads and so forth. So I use GHS Boomers singles 50-65-85-110 (or 115) to tune down to Eb. Same rockin' tone one fret lower.
 
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