I love the sound of guitar tuned down 1/2 step to Eb and tried it so many times on all types of guitar, it sounds particulalrly good on a Strat but just can't live with it, the loose tension makes the open strings rattle, chords bend out of shape, it just feels wrong. Even with .011s I can't stand it.
Does tuning down really need such a change in technique and lighter touch? I notice it more when playing unplugged, plugged in with gain on the amp is not as bad.
God alone knows how Stuart Adamson could stand playing his SG2000 tuned down to D in The Skids.
Comments
Perhaps try it on a guitar with shorter skinnier frets?
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Never had any problems on a Tele with 10s. I use Elixirs which may be slightly stiffer due to the coating.
So, I ended up taking this guitar to gigs for just one song. And that's one of the reasons I don't play prog covers any more and only do my own stuff...
FWIW, I also tried a Mobius pedal to digitally downtune the guitar. It worked surprisingly well as far as tuning was concerned, but sounded terrible on clean tones (fine when filthy).
Back on topic: Eb can be good if your singing voice has trouble hitting the notes, and doesn't make the guitar feel too different to play - unlike D.
I might have to have another go and leave one guitar in Eb for a couple of weeks, I think I change back too quickly to the comfort of std tuning. I really prefer the sound of Eb.
I grew up playing in std and many of the songs I play along to are in Std (The Jam, Sex Pistols, Clash, Beatles etc.)
I play strats and super strats - 10s on the strats, and 9's on the super strats - never any open buzzing, rattling etc.
Could it be setup-related? My tech knows that I only play in Eb and so my guitars are always perfect when I get them back from him.
Have you tried a Digitech Drop? I use one for a couple of songs where we need to drop a semitone to D - works a treat, both with and without filth added.
The only problem we found with it was that it's fussy about power supplies and can introduce noise into fuzz pedals if on the same supply.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
I now have a Degitech Drop which is much better providing you don't expect it to go any further than drop C.
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I've been thinking of going up to 11's for E flat bands
Seriously: If you value it, take/fetch it yourself