Eb tuning on a short scale

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Author Message keith_h Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 1388 Registered: 2-2005 Posted on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - 2:38 pm:    Once my Series is completed I am thinking of converting my Brown Bass to E flat tuning. I currently transpose most stuff to standard tuning but occasionally switch to my 5 string. I'm using the standard Alembic short scale strings of 105-45. My concern is the strings getting too floppy by tuning down as I really like the tension my current setup has. I am wondering if there are any other folks using a short scale tuned down? If there is what string gauges are you using? What issues came up when you tune down? Thanks, Keith tmoney61092 Advanced Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 218 Registered: 9-2008 Posted on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - 2:44 pm:    can't really help you with the short scale part of this, but within the past month i have become a nothing but Eb tuning player. mainly started when i got heavy into Alice in Chains and now i'm starting a grunge band so i figured, "why not follow the greatest?". but i use D'Addario EXL170-5SL for my Traben with gauges .045, .065, .080, .100, and .130, unless i use a High C instead, and they work fine, again, doesn't help with your short scale problem, just thought i'd throw my 2 cents in here :-D ~Taylor Watterson musashi Member Username: musashi Post Number: 63 Registered: 5-2004 Posted on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - 6:20 pm:    I've tuned a short-scale down to C# for a trance tune, it worked okay in that context. Slapped fast, it sounded like bass tablas... The guages were .35 through .95. Keep in mind this was a one-off, though. I didn't adjust intonation or action. But it was playable. Just my two cents. If there's a way to post an mp3, let me know and I'll put up an excerpt. raynbass Junior Username: raynbass Post Number: 27 Registered: 9-2008 Posted on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - 6:35 pm:    I'm not sure if it's the same as what your thinking , but in my band because of the vocals we all tune down a half step , and my brown bass handles it just fine. dannobasso Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 1110 Registered: 3-2004 Posted on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - 7:35 pm:    All my basses are tuned down a half step including the 31 scale Essence 5. I use Alembic and DR sets down to .130. So from 31, 32, 34 scales including a Warwick Dolphin Pro 8. they all handle a low Bflat just fine.