Constantly Down and then Standard Tuning. Safe?

[Permanent Waves]

Alright, so I joined a new band. They tune to Eb. I'm also in a jazz band and do solo stuff, in which I'm tuned to E. I only have one bass, so I'm forced to switch back and forth between standard and flat tunings. For example:

Tuesday: Eb
Wednesday afternoon: E
Wednesday night: Eb
Thursday afternoon: E
Thursday night: Eb
Friday: E

That's what I have to do this week. Is this going to ruin my Sterling's neck, with the tension constantly changing?

Graeme

 

[tkarter]

I have done that all the time I have played it won't hurt anything. Don't worry.

tk

 

[Psycho Ward]

I trust Tom on this.

But it could be dangerous for your health; Eb on a MM could have side effects. The extra low frequencies have been known to cause stomach problems, dizziness and anal leakage... in laboratory animals, and musicians.

 

[tkarter]

Well you do have to remember to finger the E in both tunings

tk

 

[adouglas]

You've described the single best reason (IMHO) to play a 5 string.

 

[tkarter]

I play a 5 string and I still tune the way the guitars do. It doesn't hurt your bass is what the concern was. And a MM 5 string that B string at Bb well it just kills. Not the bass the room.

tk

 

[maddog]

or you could take up the tuba for them Eb gigs

 

[tkarter]

Tubas do Eb? That really low one?



tk

 

[Dean217]

It shouldn't hurt your bass at all. It's a pretty minor adjustment.

 

[PocketGroove82]

changing tunings that much could cause explosive decompression.

 

[Narcosynthesis]

It will be fine, the difference in tension will do nothing to the bass (though you may notice the strings feeling slightly different)

David

 

[high mileage]

I had another bass that I used with E flat tuning for a couple of songs with my band. I'd also use that bass sometimes at standard tuning and had no problems with it. This bass is a copy of a Jazz which has a slightly smaller neck profile than a Sterling too - so if it didn't hurt mine, it won't hurt yours.

Couple things you might run into though. String tension will be different at the different tunings. You might want to use a heavier string gauge if this is a problem. The action might change a little bit too, I noticed this with mine but with the smaller neck it's probably more of a problem on mine than yours. Strings might not last as long either - I didn't have a problem using Rotosound 66's ("zingyness" wears off quickly regardless) but I've heard people who use Hipshot D-Tuners say that using it a lot can wear the E string out faster than the others.

 

[brooklynfall]

You know, I used to use a capo in situations like that ... guys I would play with would say, "This song sounds better transposed up a half step!" and I would go, "Dammit."

Eb though - a capo won't do much, unless you play a 5 string. Then your problems are solved anyway!

 

[mike not fat]

The difference between E and Eb should not cause any damage.

Why don't you just stay in Eb, that allows you to play in E also ?

Or go down a whole step (that's what I did), but as Mobay stated, the extra low end causes brain damages (as i don't have one I'm safe).

MNF

 

[Mobay45]

The difference between E and Eb should not cause any damage.

Why don't you just stay in Eb, that allows you to play in E also ?

Or go down a whole step (that's what I did), but as Mobay stated, the extra low end causes brain damages (as i don't have one I'm safe).

MNF

Wow! I got credit for a post I never made.

Thanks, MNF!

 

[Slim]

I play with two girl singers and they like to sing in lower key than original because they don't want to ruin their voice or they can't sing in original key so I use octave pedal. Mine is Boss OC-3 and it works all the way down to B flat note. This way I don't need five string bass and OC-3 is polyphonic and you can blend in original notes also. Try it you'll like it.

 

[barkatozz]

I play 2 sets in standard tuning & 1 set in E flat. I don't have any problems.

 

[mike not fat]

Wow! I got credit for a post I never made.

Thanks, MNF!

I told you : I got no brain !

Sorry Psycho !

For some reason I can't explain (due to my brainlessery) I always mix up Mobay 45 and Psycho Ward. I should not (ones a lefty and not the other) but I still do.

MNF

 

[Psycho Ward]

I just read all this, I have no problem at all for being confused with Larry, but if you mixed me up with Bigballs... I would have shot myself.


Back to the topic, I was wondering if tuning down a half step messes with the intonation very much? And why are you tuning down, to play with a Steve Ray Vaughn tribute band?

 

[mike not fat]

I tuned down a whole step (DGCF), and only had to do minor intonation adjustement for the D string (more work on the trussroad and saddles).

For the SRV tribute band I can't answer, I'm playing in the only tribute band to the music I write ! (that's even to much : i only write the basslines).

MNF