Eb tuning = bad idea?

[papersoul]

Re: Eb tuning = bad idea?

Your friend is a silly person. Just intonate your bridge and you'll be fine, no matter what the tunning is. If it's an extremely radical tuning, you might have to make a truss rod adjustment. You might have to get a new nut if you're using bass strings, but only because they need to be a bit higher. For Eb though? No worries. Don't even bother paying a tech, just grab a tuner and a screwdriver and go for it.

Actually, I find you ca lower the action with heavier strings because the tension is higher and remember the string, even though heavier is no closer to the fretboard.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Eb tuning = bad idea?

Papersoul, Zerb is right, although the preset intonation on the McCarty bridge was designed for 9's or 10's in standard tuning. Tuning halfstep down, and re-intonating will sound fine, but not 100% perfect. It gets worse as you go down halfstep AND drop your low string. At that point, the preset saddles aren't where they would be, if individually adjusted. That was the whole reason I installed the Tonepros adjustable bridge on the McCarty I use for alternate tunings. Right now, I've got 11's tuned down halfstep with a dropped low note. It's intonated perfectly for that and sounds great, but wouldn't if I'd kept the stock bridge on it.

If I were you, I'd try to keep your McCarty tuned closer to standard, and use your Gibson for the alternate tunings. Either that, or get a PRS or Tonepros bridge. Keep in mind, they come unslotted, so you've got to have a luthier cut the saddles + the high price of the bridge....$132

Gear, the thing is...the McCarty is a little more articulate and clear so I think that might be better for the low tunings. To be honest....I am fine with all my guitars in Eb....but since I am up in the air about band projects, I am going to keep my PRS in standard till I figure what I am doing.

You said the bridge is $132 and has to be slotted? Is that the PRS bridge? I am not a big fan of the Tone Pros bridges, but I want that PRS intonable bridge. does that need slotting??

with regards to the strings, I have 10-46...could I go 10-50 in standard and be okay? I like slightly heavier strings. Would I have to adjust the neck?

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Eb tuning = bad idea?

Bugger what rubbish!!!
I detune my guitars from time to time, they both use 9's and they never go out of tune or get instable......