peteb Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 I normally play in standard ('E') tuning and have all my basses play & sound just as I want them to - however, I'm doing a dep for another band in a few weeks and they tune down to E flat! The problem is that I've always struggled on the odd occasions that I have had to tune down - somehow I just can’t get the bass to have the right feel or play as well Has anyone any suggestions on how set up a bass to get the same string tension / tautness, hints on tweaking the set up, are there any other strings that have more tension (all my basses are strung with Elites Stadiums 105 - 45), changes to EQ, etc?? Any helpful tips are very welcome!! Cheers - Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah5string Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 I'd be amazed if tuning down a semitone would have that much effect, but maybe some higher gauge strings would help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artisan Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 my old blues band used to tune to E flat (the guitarist was convinced he was SRV). i was playing Fender Jazz's at the time & they only required minor adjustments,slacken the truss rod a tad (1/4 turn maybee not much) & a slightly highter action to make up for the lower string tension. a bit of a pain in the arse but no major problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono Bolton Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 I have a Jazz with a set of La Bella Deep Talkin' Flats that I had set up in standard tuning, which I detuned to Eb a few months ago, and I've had no trouble at all with the action or the truss rod. If you're having problems I would think it might be to do with the strings you're using, maybe you need a higher tension string? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman69 Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 We detune to Eb for first part of our set (Thin Lizzy covers just sound wrong in concert pitch) then its a quick tune up and finish the set. Not the slightest problem to my StingRay. Might be an issue if action is set ultra-low. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimBobTTD Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 (edited) I'm tuned down to D in one band, then back up to E for my other. No problems with my Ibanez 5er. I'm using chunky strings though - 50 - 105 (135 for the B). Edit: curse this B ) smiley face thing! Edited March 31, 2010 by JimBobTTD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artisan Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 i suppose it depends on the bass in question,i was playing mainly a US 62 reissue jazz with a neck made out of blu-tak which was horrible for neck stability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman69 Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 [quote name='artisan' post='792275' date='Mar 31 2010, 06:38 PM']i suppose it depends on the bass in question,i was playing mainly a US 62 reissue jazz with a neck made out of blu-tak which was horrible for neck stability.[/quote] Ah yea, those blu-tac necks need a double strip of duck tape down the back of neck.. triple if its a 5er. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 [quote]Tuning down to E flat, any tips?[/quote] I think you just have to give those twiddy things on the headstock a bit of a twist. Mine was in tune when I bought it though so I'm not 100% sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 [quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='792493' date='Mar 31 2010, 09:14 PM']I think you just have to give those twiddy things on the headstock a bit of a twist. Mine was in tune when I bought it though so I'm not 100% sure. [/quote] May I also suggest a tuner, one of those electronic jobs or something similar. Tuning forks are so yesterday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnylager Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 [quote name='artisan' post='792214' date='Mar 31 2010, 05:47 PM']my old blues band used to tune to E flat (the guitarist was convinced he was SRV). i was playing Fender Jazz's at the time & they only required minor adjustments,slacken the truss rod a tad (1/4 turn maybee not much) & a slightly highter action to make up for the lower string tension. a bit of a pain in the arse but no major problem.[/quote] Yep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-L-B Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 In my band I play all our songs in drop D, bar one for which I drop the D right down to a B! My main bass is a Warwick Thumb 4 BO and it plays just fine in my opinion and I have nice low action normally too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteb Posted April 1, 2010 Author Share Posted April 1, 2010 [quote name='Jono Bolton' post='792235' date='Mar 31 2010, 06:01 PM']I have a Jazz with a set of La Bella Deep Talkin' Flats that I had set up in standard tuning, which I detuned to Eb a few months ago, and I've had no trouble at all with the action or the truss rod. If you're having problems I would think it might be to do with the strings you're using, maybe you need a higher tension string?[/quote] Any suggestions for higher tension (roundwound) strings?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.