So, after learning 3 SRV songs, I finally had to tune down so I could at least play along with the tunes... And at first I was cussing trying to figure out why the heck anyone would tune down 1/2 step...

I can't imagine it would make that much of a difference for the singer... 1/2 step.. come on...

The only thing I can think of is it would allow a guitarist to use a heavier gauge string and also do bending... I ended up doing the Eb tuning on my E-335 which had 11's on it... It made the bending easier on a heavier gauge string... So I guess I can't complain..

Scott Henderson does it.

Annoying, isn't it?

Tons of Hendrix is down half a step, as is Aint Talkin bout love and Panama by Vanhalen ( except on live versions which are in standard tuning). Whiskey in the jar by Metallica is also tuned down a half step.

I guess there are a number of reasons to do it.

1. sound, someone is just looking for a lower, deeper/darker sound.
2. accomodate a singer.
3. gives a blusier feel. I have a tele with 12's on it, which i occasionally tune down half a step for SRV tunes, and it certainly feels a little more "buttery" with the heavy strings when they are loser. not just in bending, they feel more jangly and "bluesier", for lack of a better term.

I would say SRV and jimi down tuned for reasons 1 and 3 mainly.

Me..................... Mike

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Some early U2 stuff (ie Sunday Bloody Sunday) is also in Eb.

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I heard the reasoning was so that Bar Owners with Harmonicas couldn't jump on stage with you

I have 1 Strat setup for Eb (1/2 step down).


Tommy Shannon (SRV's Bass Player) tuned down 1 step.

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

I like to jam to SRV, and Hendrix, so I have a dedicated Strat for that. Tuned in Eb.

Yeah I think I need another Strat just for that purpose. Then I also need another Tele to tune to open G for when I'm playing the stones and then I'll need another .....

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Snails Pace Slim spilled the beans about it in a interview. SRV and Hendrix both did it so that harmonica playing bar owners couldnt get up onstage with em cos they couldnt pitch in.
I've tried it and I dont really buy the extrabendability excuse. To make any significant difference the strings go slack enough to warrant raising them. So any comfort you gain for bending you lose in everything else because your actions raised to allow the extra width of string vibration.

Not a big fan of downtuning at all. Concert pitch is the standard for a good reason. That baroque lot did enough damage with the introduction of other key brass instruments. Requiring music be scored differently for different instruments. The last thing we need in this day and age is a load of longhairs coming up with any pitch they like. Mustaine said it best, if you cant write a good heavy riff in A440hz then give up.

JK

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No no and no

we carry both standard and eb tuning, to accomadate the singers voice, i use heavy enough strings that i have no problems with it, ghs boomers low 11-53

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When I listen to that version of Whiskey I think it's down one step to D? Back on subject I've been playing half step down for about the past 115 years now, I find it a great tuning for just adding a little slack in the string tension.

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+1
If I had it my way, I'd always tune to Eb. But it makes jamming with other musicians difficult, and not everyone wants to tune down for you. And who could blame them? It's annoying to go through all that trouble. So unless you have your own band who are all on board with you for the idea, it's not very practical.



I think it's personal preference. I'd rather play with strings that are higher but more slack than with strings that are lower but tighter. I actually like the extra bit of string height, to me that feels more comfortable.

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Eb does give a different sound and feel... and is also handy if your playing in a band with an alto Sax player!

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Yeah cos your straight to that bloody stupid brass tuning.

Dunno about you I hate working with brass players. They never want to rehearse. They just give some line like 'send us the score and we'll be ok'. They seem to be utterly unable to grasp the concept that the band may need to rehearse with them. Then after their jobs done theres never any help at packup. They plonk the trumpet in its bag and say 'same time next week lads', as their walking out the door.

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No no and no