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1) better accomadates a particular vocal range try singing simple man by LS in standard tuning. LS tuned their guitars down 1/2 step.....another good example....several Neil Young songs....down by the river...only love can break your heart. Even neil on occasion, when his range shifts for whatever reason, tunes his guitar down a half step...
Unfortunately F# harmonicas that are a half step lower than a typical G harmonica are rare. With most harmonica manufacturers who do produce a major diatonic harmonica in the key of F# - that is their highest key and is therefore 6.5 steps sharp vs. 1/2 step flat and is very shrill sounding.
You covered it. Plus 1. Audacity linked in a comment above by Matt L. is a free software program that will quickly and easily transpose your audio file to a different key. I keep my guitar tuned half step flat and use Audacity to transpose backing tracks that come in standard tuning.
A less advanced player may want to avoid those frightening-looking F# and C# chords, preferring to play in E, capo two frets up to F#. It's rather less likely that a player would choose to play in G, detuned down a half-step. It's easier to shift a capo than to re-tune the whole instrument!
I went down to 9.5's on my LP in standard. On my SG, which is what I use for 1/2 step down, I also use 9.5's. The reason is because the 1/2 step down stuff we cover is usually heavier/more distorted than the stuff we play in standard and I think that thinner gauges have a snappier response than heavier ones when playing with more distortion.
In light of Edward's comments below, a further thought on the tuning. One can hear fret noise, suggesting that the tuning used does not allow for entirely open strings -- limiting the advantage an Eb tuning. Instead, it could be a standard E tuning with a capo on the 2nd fret.
No need to go super heavy. In general, one step up for each half tone drop should be more than sufficient. 10-46 in standard, try 11-48 in Eb. Super heavy strings often sound really weird. At a certain point they become too stiff to resonate correctly at the given note and scale length combination.
I did the process of tuning down a step and going to 10s. 9s are way too jangly for me when tuned down. When we tuned back to concert pitch, I found I liked the 10s better. I am now a 10s user and feel they give the best tone in most cases.
Tuning down is great for vocals and the feel of the guitar. The only drawback is if somebody plays an analog keyboard (actual B-3, Rhodes) or acoustic piano. Modern keyboards will have a transpose function.
Obviously I didn't explain myself correctly with reference to tuning to E-flat in reference to 440 hz. I wasn't understanding that it's actually A that is 440 and a guitar is tuned to A. Before my initial post, in my mind it all makes sense: If regular tuning is 440 hz, then obviously tuning down half a step must be XXX hz.