Standard E and Standard Eb in the Same Set? - How Would You Do It?

[Terry M.]

34 minutes ago, ahpook said:

He's not on my radar,never has been 😂

[mcnach]

On 20/03/2025 at 08:55, Sean said:

After searching for ages, a decent band has approached me and I'm going to a rehearsal with them to see how we gel.

 

Most of their songs are down a semitone (half-step) from the originals and there are 2 or 3 that are in the original key.

 

It seems a bit unusual to me. All songs are typical rock songs

 

Although, the first meeting will be all songs played on an Eb Standard tuned bass, how would you approach this for a gig situation?

 

I see my options as:

 

1. One Eb standard, one E standard tuned bass. If one is needed as backup there's a tuning delay involved.

 

2. A B standard 5-string. Loses all the open string "opportunities" of many of the songs. Backup bass is same config. No real low-B requirements in the set.

 

3. An Eb Standard bass but learn the original pitch songs up a semi-tone and get used to it. Backup bass is same config.

 

What would you do?

 

 

 

 

 

 

5-string

 

I generally avoid open strings unless I especifically want them for some reason (some one-string riffs with the open string as a pedal tone, for example). It just makes it easier for me to transpose on the spot without thinking. 

 

I like the 5-strings not so much for the lower notes that I rarely use (lowest I go is low D, usually), but because you have two octaves within a 5-fret span, it is just a lot easier to play once you get used to having an extra string.

 

Otherwise, just one 4-string tuned Eb. 

 

If you're desperate for open string possibilities, a capo might be a consideration, if you're just needing it occasionally.

 

[Sean]

Well, the songs are Dancing in the Dark and Learn to Fly. There's a few others too.

 

Hence it's an Eb Standard and play those up a semitone.

 

 

[Downunderwonder]

2 hours ago, Terry M. said:

This.

Nah. Eb is most of the repertoire, you mean pedal E open on occasion.

 

 

 

[tauzero]

17 hours ago, Terry M. said:

Appreciate the explanation. Does this apply to certain genres more commonly? I've never heard the song Slither before so I YouTubed it. Admittedly it's a genre that I don't listen to or play so it was all new to me.

 

Hysteria by Muse is an example. I've never tried playing it myself, just happen to know it uses open strings to get the speed. You can see a tab at https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/muse/hysteria-bass-96516

[peteb]

8 hours ago, tauzero said:

 

Hysteria by Muse is an example. I've never tried playing it myself, just happen to know it uses open strings to get the speed. You can see a tab at https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/muse/hysteria-bass-96516

 

That's a great example - relatively easy to play, but all open strings. No chance of playing it properly in any other way!