E-flat tuning?

[sweiss]

Originally Posted by laocmo

....I've questioned the Internet groups why a guitar is tuned to 150 lb+ E pitch in the first place. Never got a definitive answer....

It seems to be one of those things that became the standard over time, with no real reason except that it was the way it had always been done.

[Dru Edwards]

Yep, I keep most of my acoustics down 1/2 step just because it's easier on my voice.

Count me in with EJ17s tuned down a half step...

Sounds great also with capo on fret first or third fret....

[wesb]

I got mine half step down. Aaron Lewis plays alot of his acoustics shows half step down

[robj144]

Oh... you guys are talking about Eb standard tuning. I thought it was open Eb tuning. I do it time to time.

[BluesyRob]

So I've been playing a lot of Drop-D songs and really like the ring of the key of D with the low open 6th string. I was fooling around with a Double-Drop-D tune last night and eventually made it down to DADGAD and even a couple tunes in (gasp! ) Open D. (Sorry, I'm not an open-tunings guy. Love to listen to recordings of it though...more on that in a bit). When I brought the guitar back up to standard I realized why I hate changing the tunings so much. Then it occurred to me, if I liked that low-D so much why not try a some Eb tuning? So when I got home tonight I tuned it down and started through my regular practice routine. I really liked the sound in "Standard" Eb but not so much in Drop-D. So I put a capo on the 1st fret and WOW, it sound so much FULLER this way! (And yes I'll also go with the easier to bend strings rule and less tension too) So now that I'm retiring for the evening I will let the guitar set overnight and see if it needs any adjustment due to fret buzzing or anything. It's almost like playing a new guitar!

So about the thing above noting alt tunings. I started out on bass and made a pretty east transition to guitar but even after over a decade on guitar I feel I am still learning and I really don't have time -nor the desire for now- to "re-learn" the fretboard in DADGAD or some open tuning. I like to make noise in DADGAD occasionally but that's it. But who knows - there was a time I frowned upon Eb tuning, (although my band -in which I play bass- tunes down a whole step PLUS Drop-D -Drop-C?) so maybe someday I'll explore more. But I really think I've hopped on the Eb wagon for now.

[kdn]

Originally Posted by Skarsaune

All the time. As noted, easier on the singer (me!).

yuppers--same here, but i also enjoy the tone a simple 1/2 step down can impart

[anonymized]

At least three of my guitars are currently in e-flat. The other two being long scale jumbos are probably even lower.

[SpiderTrap]

I Tune to Standard pitch , but transpose most 85% of the songs to fit my vocals and do not use a capo altho if a song was in C Sharp I would . likely the only time . I have nothing against Capoing , It sounds better to play the full fretboard in the proper KEY FOR - - -you - - so you will not have to strain to sing the song in the first place ... the lil lower pitch is built - into the transposition .

[guitarjamman]

I am always in Eb tuning....There is something about the mellow'er' tone that just fits what I am looking for.

Plus on my short scale Guild, the Eb tuning lets me get a nice snap on the strings - I play muddy blues and I love the combination tone.

[repotrawler]

Cool! Very encouraging!

[Ralph124C41]

Originally Posted by repotrawler

Cool! Very encouraging!

You do realize this particular post is more than seven years old, right?

There have been several other much more recent posts about detuning to E flat or D.

[Goat Mick]

Originally Posted by Ralph124C41

You do realize this particular post is more than seven years old, right?

There have been several other much more recent posts about detuning to E flat or D.

October is getting pretty close and every Halloween needs a good zombie or two!!

[LakewoodM32Fan]

Went to college during the grunge era (1991-1996). So of course one of my guitars is always tuned a half step down.

[Italuke]

Originally Posted by dablues

I know of a Beatles cover band that tunes down a half-step for that reason.

Yes, that was my Beatles tribute band. Well, maybe not the same band, but we did tune down a half step. Helped. (Especially on Help! The John part at the end of the choruses...). I also sang Penny Lane. Big help there.