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Bass strings for E flat tuning?

Alex Huddleston

Alex Huddleston

Aug 10, 2009
300
84
Portland, OR
#1
I'm looking for strings that have higher tension than my current set of D'addario Prosteels for E flat tuning. I'm also trying to get a more mids/upper mids heavy sound from my strings as well. Two bass players that come to mind for what I'm looking for are David Ellefson of megadeth and DD verni from Overkill. I don't really mind when it comes to string gauge. I would prefer stainless steel, but I would switch to nickel if it would mean getting a sound closer to what I'm looking for. It's hard to find strings for this tuning because a lot of the standard 105-45 gauge strings get too floppy when tuned down a half step but a lot of the higher gauge strings are too stiff for only being tuned down a half step, so I was probably thinking of a higher tension 105-45 set or a lower tension 110-50/55 set. Anyone have any suggestions?
 
#3
I've never really had a problem with the tension of my strings, most of my 4 strings are tuned to DGCF, and I use light-medium gauge strings. But you can try DR's DDT strings they're made for drop tunings if i'm not mistaken. I only had one set to try out a few days ago and then my bass' input jack got torn out.. They seemed alright, had really good response and tone but the only thing was they had the new string highs that would most likely die in a week or so.

If all else fails just try to get a set of 110-50/55 like you said but I'd try to look into those DDTs.
 
#9
i played a while in a band that was doing the Eb thing. I am more heavy handed than most and still found that i could keep the same gauge on my basses, 105-45 or 105-50, and just did a little trussrod/saddle adjust. I was playing my bass with flats. Dropping down to D or lower is much different thing IMO.

prosteels are one of the "gummier" "looser" feeling steels i've played. If you are finding that you still need a stiffer feel for the detune, i suggest Labella Hard Rockin Steels or DR Low Rider Steels --- two very stiff steel strings. Try them in the same gauge you're using now, first, before gauging up. You'll be surprised how different the feel.
 
#14
For Eb playing hard rock metal I use different strings for different basses all are great I like thicker high strings, makes the higher notes thicker. Spector- blue steel 50,70,85,105. P bass for black sabbath tribute band Dr black beauty's 50,70,85,110 for jazz bass special rotosound 45,65,85,105 (I wanted less tension on this one) other p basses rotosound 50,70,85,110 and for my C# sabbath p bass black beauties 50,70,85,110. All these are great strings the rotos don't last long I feel but are brighter. Punchier the blue steels last a lot longer. I myself don't like any others nor do I ever use flats, I like bright and aggressive
 
#18
I generally like a set of hex-core strings in the range of 40-45 lbs. per string for the optimum playing feel.

My current favorite for my Fender Jazz - GHS Pressurewound ML7200 (44-58-80-102).

Here are the actual tension figures for this set for the E-standard tuning:

G 044 - 43.3 (lbs.)
D 058 - 41.9
A 080 - 44.6
E 102 - 39.5

Based on that, I would try the M7200 set (44-62-84-106) for the Eb-standard:

Gb 044 - 38.6 (lbs.)
Db 062 - 43.3
Ab 084 - 42.0
Eb 106 - 42.8

The only thing I wish for is a slightly heavier G for the M7200 set, maybe .046 or .047, to match the other three.
 
#19
Can only say what my bassplayer in the band thinks.. He has a fender ajzz type bass (34" scale bass) and have played 45-65-85-105 daddario nickel wound EXL165 for a long time in standard E tuning.. Now we play in e-flat tuning (Eb-Ab-Db-Gb) and the 45-105 can manage the downtune especially fresh out of the box but he greatly prefers the tension he had in e standard with that string set..
For E-flat he might have to go up one step on string gauge to 50-70-90-110 with nickel wound strings in order to get back some tension..if we continue to play our songs in keys that utilize the e-flat tuning.. (rock in G# instead of A).. Also our C-major songs are no in H-major and can be played in regular cowboy open chords and we do not have to change our muscle memory to play our 7 year old material in new positions...


Its the same for me,, Playing a long scale 25.5" fender scale telecaster with 10-46 daddario nickel wound in e standard all my life.. Now I play e-flat with those strings.. Ok out of the box but after a while feel like rubber bands.. easy to bend and such but I have a fairly heavy right hand so playing funk rythm and rock riffs the tension at e-flat with 10-46 (regular) are not really satisfying... If we stick to e-flat tuning I would have to go up to daddarios hybrid 10.5-48 to get some tension back..

But people are different,,, Angus young plays a 24.75" gibson SG with 9-42 strings in standard tuning.. That is seriously rubber bands in my universe...
 
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#20
I use mostly Sunbeams but for E flat I will sometimes use Lo Riders. I was experimenting with other standard gauge sets that had more tension (D'addario XL 45-105, GHS Boomers 45-105), kind of operating under the assumption that since I found them uncomfortably stiff at standard tuning, coming down a little might make them a little more manageable at drop tuning. I came to the conclusion that they were still stiffer feeling than I'd like and the tone just wasn't there. Now I'll either go with Lo's or my usual Sunbeams with a little more relief dialed in. For flats, I was using Labella Deep Talkin 43-104's, but they turn to plonky little rubber bands at E flat on my bass, so I stepped up to the 45-105 set, which were great but I still think I prefer rounds when tuning down.
 

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