Gauge suggestions for dropping E sting to D flat (C#)?

[joeman583]

Hello everyone,

I was wondering what anyone thought would be the best gauge of string for tuning the E string (fourth string) down to D flat (C#)?

The A,D, and G would still be in standard tuning though. So the only string being tuned down would be the E string.

Some have suggested that I use a .110 while others have said to use a .115 or .120.

Will not a .105 or .106 gauge string suffice?

Thanks everyone

[jaywa]

I don't know what gauge the Ernie Ball Power Slinkies are but I do a lot of playing in drop D with my 4-string P-Bass, and the E string in that gauge works out really well. The other three strings however are correspondingly robust so that may take some getting used to if you've been playing medium gauge or lighter to this point.

If you don't mind my asking... why D flat instead of D? You are going to have to make some serious adjustments to your left hand technique and certain scales are going to be almost impossible to play at any kind of speed. Just dropping the E down to D is challenging enough for me, especially when songs come up in Ab or Bb.

[knuckle_head]

I parrot the .120 suggestion.

.105-ish is a better E.

Consider that you are aiming for only a whole step higher than a standard B - my tastes run toward a .130 or .135 for that.

[triggervision]

fwiw..i use the DR low riders SS .110-.050. Same tuning too.

[JasonNL]

I tune one of my basses C#F#BE and I use DR Hibeams 50-70-90-110 on it and I love the way they play and feel, but a 55-115 set might be even better, but DR doesn't make those .

[Soverntear]

i use .45-.105 and i have no problem drop tuning, string stay nice and taught too