Tuning down a 1/2 step... ?

[LuckyStrike]

Hi all.

My band is doing a tribute show, and we have been assigned Social Distortion. My guitar player is tuning down 1/2 step like Mike Ness does. My question may seem stupid, but do I also have to tune down? Can't I hit the same notes in natural tuning?

Like whether I'm hitting a G on the 3rd fret of the 4th string or on the 4th fret... does not seem to make a difference. Right?

 

[LuckyStrike]

Anyone have any idea what Brent Harding does?

 

[DWBass]

Depends if you're going below the low E. If you play 5 string, not an issue.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

I am going to bet you need to tune down, odds are you will require a low Eb.

 

[Ric5]

Hi all.

My band is doing a tribute show, and we have been assigned Social Distortion. My guitar player is tuning down 1/2 step like Mike Ness does. My question may seem stupid, but do I also have to tune down? Can't I hit the same notes in natural tuning?

Like whether I'm hitting a G on the 3rd fret of the 4th string or on the 4th fret... does not seem to make a difference. Right?

If you don't detune then you don't have a low E flat. Also certain Riffs that depend on open strings will be harder to play.

When I used to play 4 string basses I had one tuned EADG, one tuned E flat, one tuned DGCF, and one tuned BEAD.

Now I find my 5 string tuned BEADG covers pretty much everything.

 

[bluesdogblues]

Me and the guitarist of my band like to tune down all strings 1/2 step, because we like how it sounds and feels. More, it make musical communications between us easier.

 

[LuckyStrike]

Thanks guys. I'll de-tune and practice a bit before the next rehearsal. Now I just have to put the playing on auto-pilot so I can concentrate on the singing.

 

[tangentmusic]

You'll need to tune down to E flat on a 4 string

 

[Pacman]

Not technique related. Moved to Miscellaneous.