Why do some bands tune down to eb and others stay in standard tuning...did the stones ever use this tuning?

I don't know if the Stones ever have - I'm suspect they haven't - but some bands do it so it eases the vocals over the course of a long haul.

the deeper the heavier plus bending is easier!

So when did this become a common practice ...back in the 70s?

Stevie Ray Vaughan tuned down a semi-tone & used heavy strings, 13 on the top if memory serves me, gives you a nice fat sound.

Leadbelly used really heavy strings on his 12-string, 16-70 (he used a piano string for the bottom) & usually tuned 3 semi-tones down, very nice fat sound thank you

Of course there are the old crooners like Rod Stewart & Carly Simon who tune down 'cos their voices are not what they used to be...check out some recent youtubes for that.

So this goes back to the early blues guys then...thanks

Quote
vox12string
Of course there are the old crooners like Rod Stewart & Carly Simon who tune down 'cos their voices are not what they used to be...check out some recent youtubes for that.

Exactly. Slade did this during their final touring days (early 80s), & I think Led Zeppelin did it at their reunion a couple of years back.

Bon Jovi do this Live but not in the studio. There reason is that they strain there voices less over the long set. Does sound reasonable and probably easier for audience to try and sing along!

On a cd it might just be the speed of the recording!

i think you reall need to play at least 11-strings when you tune down to Eb. especialy if you play heavier rhythm stuff. otherwise the strings are a bit "flabby" (dont know if that is the right word).
but it's really true: with heavier strings you get a better or fatter sound.

Hendrix is famous for going down to Eb.

You got the Sun, You got the Moon,
and you've got
The Rolling Stones

Jimi did this too, as far as I remember

Lemmy from Motorhead always does as well, far as I can recall.