Tuning Down, and Back Up....

[fivebass52]

I play in five bands at the moment; two Blues bands, and three Rock bands.... Two of the Rock bands tune down a half-step; the rest do not. Just wondering what the forum's thoughts are in constantly tuning your favorite bass down, and back up to A-440... or do you just have an extra bass you keep tuned down a half-step? I like my action low, so on some of my basses, I'll get a bit of a buzz when I do... does tuning down-and-up have any lasting effects on the neck?

Wondering what y'all think...

[Matt R.]

Yeah I feel this pain. I always keep one tuned down and properly set up for that tuning. I like unreasonably low action so it makes things easier

[fivebass52]

Yeah I feel this pain. I always keep one tuned down and properly set up for that tuning. I like unreasonably low action so it makes things easier

Yeah, thought so... just don't want to have to haul two basses... but, I don't have to basses that are close enough in configuration to do this... and, I'm mostly playing 5-strings in these bands - and to complicate matters, some of my 5-strings are strung with flats, some are not... a dilemma, for sure...

[superheavydeathmetal]

My preference would be to have one set up in E, and the other set up in E flat. But if that isn't possible, you might consider having all of your basses in E flat and throwing a capo on the first fret when you need to go up to standard. That might get confusing with the fretboard dots being out of place in E, though. Also, that could put some extra wear on the first fret.

[bobjones2260]

I'm so lazy and often forget that they may be tuned down so I do one bass tuned down and it makes life easier and I have no proof but I think it's better for the bass.

[tedesco23]

My current band toggles between some songs in standard tuning and some a half-step down, and I love the Digitech Drop pedal:

https://www.digitech.com/whammy-pitch/The+Drop.html

[fivebass52]

My preference would be to have one set up in E, and the other set up in E flat. But if that isn't possible, you might consider having all of your basses in E flat and throwing a capo on the first fret when you need to go up to standard. That might get confusing with the fretboard dots being out of place in E, though. Also, that could put some extra wear on the first fret.

I thought about the Capo idea also, but there would be confusion with the dots... and I'd rather pick a bass, and just keep it tuned to down to Eb...

[fivebass52]

I'm so lazy and often forget that they may be tuned down so I do one bass tuned down and it makes life easier and I have no proof but I think it's better for the bass.

That's what I've been wondering about as well, if the constant tuning down and back up can cause some type of neck damage over time.... any bass techs reading this that might have experience with this?

[fivebass52]

My current band toggles between some songs in standard tuning and some a half-step down, and I love the Digitech Drop pedal:

https://www.digitech.com/whammy-pitch/The+Drop.html

Very cool! Been watching videos on this pedal, and also the EHX Pitchfork... both excellent choices...

Drop Pedal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVtVVY2wI1M

EHX Pitchfork https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAwDQ6P3DEA

and a shootout.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXFX6eTdLG8