Strings for Eb Tuning

[tallboybass]

Hi, hope this hasn't been over-done here, I couldn't find anything in a search.

I've got to set up a bass specifically for playing in Eb and was wondering what you guys think about string gauge. I normally use 50-105 for tight tension tuned to E, would 55-110 give about the same in Eb?

Thanks, Alan

[Revmizery]

You should be able to get away with using the same gauge strings. I have been doing this for a while the only difference i made was added a bit more tension to the neck. If you don't want to change the truss rod then you would be fine just using the next heavier gauge in strings.

[dj150888]

You should give the truss rod an adjustment anyway, no need for a gauge change, I tune to Dstandard with 45-100s, intonation wasn't an issue after a quick set up and the strings aren't floppy at all.

[Inverness]

They're correct. I thought I could cheat, too, with thicker strings. I had some medium-light GHSes on my Fender Aerodyne J bass before I replaced them recently with EB Power Slinkies. I had to seriously alter the neck when I put the power slinkies on. They definitely do sound "thicker," and I appreciate the tuning's reducing the tension overall. But both of them work - just adjust the truss rod and the string heights.

[tallboybass]

Thanks for the responses. I should have mentioned that I did a gig where I just tuned down the 50-105s and the tone didn't seem right to me.

[patzilla83]

i use the same strings w/o any issues. my p-bass sings w/ DR hi-beams 45-105's in Eb.

[Lorenzini]

The best strings I've ever seen or heard for detuning were Dean Markley Blue Steels. I had a 55-02 that I could detune to Eb and imo it actually sounded BETTER than standard tuning with those strings.

[tallboybass]

Originally Posted by Lorenzini

The best strings I've ever seen or heard for detuning were Dean Markley Blue Steels. I had a 55-02 that I could detune to Eb and imo it actually sounded BETTER than standard tuning with those strings.

What gauges were those? So the B string down to Bb wasn't floppy?

[kaybass1952]

I've used fender flats -medium gauge- a taut string, that works well for Eb tuning. Perhaps ernie ball slinky 110's for round wounds.

[Lorenzini]

Originally Posted by tallboybass

What gauges were those? So the B string down to Bb wasn't floppy?

Bb was solid as a ROCK.

Gauges were nice:
.128 B
.105 E
.080 A
.065 D
.045 G

.128 is my favorite gauge for de-tuning, or any tuning for that matter, because it's neither too thick or thunky, nor is it too floppy and thin. Just perfect.

Some strings feel like wet noodles when you slap them detuned. I can say Blue Steels don't at all, they are tight and like I said before, I prefer them detuned than at standard pitch.

[tallboybass]

Originally Posted by kaybass1952

I've used fender flats -medium gauge- a taut string, that works well for Eb tuning. Perhaps ernie ball slinky 110's for round wounds.

I was thinking about the EB 110s.

Also, good point about the Fender Medium Flats. That's the tightest string I've ever used.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by tallboybass

Thanks for the responses. I should have mentioned that I did a gig where I just tuned down the 50-105s and the tone didn't seem right to me.

Maybe your sense of pitch is pretty good. You mentally
'expect' a certain pitch when playing certain notes.

Now you change the tunings and some how the tone is
'not right' psychoacoustically?

The Eb sounds different than an E.

Would Mozarts's Symphony #39 in Eb (K 543) sound different
if he scored it in E?

I suspect so. Don't you?

[tallboybass]

Originally Posted by Thor

Maybe your sense of pitch is pretty good. You mentally
'expect' a certain pitch when playing certain notes.

Now you change the tunings and some how the tone is
'not right' psychoacoustically?

The Eb sounds different than an E.

Would Mozarts's Symphony #39 in Eb (K 543) sound different
if he scored it in E?

I suspect so. Don't you?

I'm sure you're right, Eb sounds 'not right' to me and that makes things feel weird. The extra string flop however doesn't help anything.

[jaywa]

The only reason I hate it when players tune to Eb is when I'm trying to learn their songs off a recording.

But to the topic - agree with others here on the Ernie Ball Power Slinkies (110, 90, 75 and 55 IIRC). I've used them exclusively for at least the last 3-4 years on a 78 P-Bass. I spend a lot of time with my E string dropped to D and even then the action is still reasonably "tight" and the sound is punchy. The EBs don't cost an arm and a leg either.

The extra thickness on the other three strings also gives some extra ballz to my sound which really helps in the genres I do most of my work (rock, blues, R&B and contemporary worship) -- not so great for slap-and-pop, however.

[tallboybass]

I played another gig in Eb last night and it was fine. Used 50-105s.