Flat-Tuning String Choice

[captainrowd]

Hi everyone.

I play a Gibson Thunderbird and a modified Geddy Lee J-bass, with 45 Marcus Miller Fat Beams. As both a plectrum user and just an overall heavy-handed player, I tend to break strings more than the average bassist (approximately once a month- i'd say a little over 50 hours of shows and rehearsals and practicing).

I'm going on tour soon with this new band, in which, we play a semitone flat. A few songs are also in drop-D- which is technically drop C-sharp.

I'm asking for some pointers on using heavier gauge strings, or just some stronger ones. If anyone has serious experience with E-flat tuning and the heavy strings last about the same, I'd rather keep my tone. But if I'll be saving a serious amount of money switching to power slinkies... please let me know.

P.S. feel free to rip on me for using a pick... just don't tell me to switch my playing style to save strings.

[RickenBoogie]

The power Slinky's are great, I've got a set on my Deluxe P bass. (.110 E). I can tune that bass to D standard with those strings, so you could easily get where you want to go with them.