To detune or not to detune that is the question?

[Muso]

Hey

So I'm starting a band with a really good guitarist off this forum :) and I'm gonna be playing bass. We've decided to play 80s metal covers and most of the songs are in E-flat. So if I detune my bass do I need to change stuff like action on it as if it were a guitar? I'm not familiar with basses at all so any advice about setting it up would be great. I really don't wanna mess with the truss rod either.

Also does anyone else here play in E flat on their guitar? I'm tempted to try it out myself as apparently you can play heavier strings but the tension is less so its nice for playing bends and you get a thicker tone.

[ToneMonkey]

Dutune it and have a play about, if your strings are slapping the frets then the action will need sorting.

Rather than having a fiddle with the truss rod, if you're not confident then take it to a shop/luthier.  That's the best advice that I can give you.

What sort of bridge does it have (adjustable height or not?)

[38thBeatle]

Shouldn't be any problem- as Tonemonkey says, if the strings are too loose you might have to lower the action. We detune in my band and it does make a difference-more than you would think and as I have to sing, it does mean that it is easier to hit notes.The guitars seem to sound a bit thicker too. was pleasantly surprised albeit slightly reluctant when it was first mooted.

[Sifu Ben]

a semitone shouldn't really affect your action that much.

[Bainzy]

I've never had to change the setup when dropping a semitone - a whole tone I usually do though.

[chrisola]

never needed to fiddle with action for E Flat

makes the guitar easier on the fingers to play also

[FELINEGUITARS]

Might wanna consider a heavier gauge of string
Nothing lighter than 45-105
Maybe go 50-110 to keep it tight

[broken cord]

Might wanna consider a heavier gauge of string
Nothing lighter than 45-105
Maybe go 50-110 to keep it tight

I'll second Feline's thought and go heavy gauge.