My Band is Going Eb - So I'm Changing Strings

[bdplaid]

We play Higher by Creed. So I have drop down to C#, just like you said. This is why I decided to see if the heavier gauge works well first.

I will probably end up buying a set at 50-70-85-105, just to compare the two.

I typically find when I change strings types, a full setup is necessary.

If you drop the 4th string, I think you'll find the 105 will be too floppy. I use a 110 and still have to raise my lowest during higher than usual for a setup.

DR make Drop Down set, with a heavier core. They work pretty well, even just as regular strings. They are stiffer. I hear Jeff Berlin using them in E standard tuning. I have too and like them.

edit: and you'll at least need to adjust the truss rod.

 

[leonard]

I just play half a step lower on those situations.

 

[SteveC]

I play with a country music artist who stipulates that we tune down 1/2 step.

I tried all sorts of string and action setup variations. Hated all of them. Hated the way it felt, hated the way it played, hated the way it sounded. No matter the bass.

I finally bought a Helix Stomp, made a 1/2-step transposition preset and that's worked out great. Yeah, $550 to transpose down a 1/2 step is expensive. But well with the trouble. Even the B string sound decent enough with the transposition kicked in.

First, I tried a Digitech Drop. Not happening. Everything below the A string sounded awful. Sweetwater was great enough to exchange the units.

Right after I bought the Stomp. I learned about the HX One, which is a less-powerful version of the Stomp, but had plenty of horsepower for a 1/2-step transposition. And for $399.00. Oh, well, live and learn.

I do this with a Stomp as well. I use it for maybe 6-7 songs in our set. I haven’t tried it more than a 1/2 step, but for 1/2 step it works fine. I can tell if I really listen at home, but at the gig it’s great…and I don’t have to worry about what bass I’m playing when the “Eb” songs come up. Any bass can be my detuned bass.

An HX One would be great for this, but I already was using a Stomp (for synth tones especially) so I’ll stick with it.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

You will likely need to adjust your truss rod, and the bass that gets the 55-110 set might actually need the truss rod tightened even after tuning down a half step. Going from a .100 to a .110 E, and maybe more noticeable, going from a .065 to a .075 D, is significant.

Neck relief doesn’t only give your fretted strings more room vibrate without hitting frets, it also changes the perceived tension of the strings felt by your fretting hand. My setup on most of my basses (with 9.5” radius fingerboards) has the neck relief on the minimum side of the most commonly recommend range (recommended: .012”-.016”, me: .006”-.010”).

Because of that, I usually have to loosen my truss rod slightly when I tune down a 1/2 step. I have a Jazz with a 7.25” radius fingerboard that requires about .014” relief. I can go between standard tuning & 1/2 step down with no other setup changes at all. Yes, I can notice the lower tension when tuned down, but it’s not too low, mainly because it feels so much higher tension at standard pitch.

The 50-110 strings might take some getting used to, but might also make your tuning change a non-issue. Best of luck.

 

[2saddleslab]

My band plays both 1/2 step down [most of the time] and standard tuning. I bring 2 basses [builtin backup], use the same strings, and really don't notice any difference when playing either.

 

[Aussie Player]

Something else:
When I lived in the mid west, most bands detuned to Eb. It was so common, you didn't need to ask. Now in the east coast, its rare. All standard tuning here.

 

[Malak the Mad]

If the problem is centered on the G-string, it is possible to get individual EB Cobalt flats in different gauges.

• Slinky Cobalt Flatwound Electric Bass Single Strings

Also, just to play "devil's advocate", is it possible to get a Drop-D tuner, set it to E♭ and leave everything else in standard tuning? (I have no idea what songs are in your list, so this suggestion might be invalid, but someone had to ask it, ja?)

 

[Glazenn]

In this situation, my idea is to switch to a 5-stringer, but it might be a problem when reading a score sheet and transposing from it (playing a B when reading a C).

 

[2strings2frets]

My band has started to play a few songs that require Eb tuning. Rather than carrying around two instruments each, we decided to just play everything in Eb. This has been a godsend for me. I sing all the harmonies for the band and lead on a few songs. It is so much easier on my throat, especially now that I'm getting older (62).

I've decided to try thicker strings on my Eb bass. I have all my bass guitars set up with really low action. I had to raise it just to eliminate fret buzz. The strings are also a little too floppy for my tastes. To that end, I've got a set of much thicker strings coming in to see how these two factors accommodate each. I play Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats almost exclusively, 45-65-80-100. The set I have coming in are 55-75-90-110. That's a big jump, but I play pretty aggressively. I've also been a little disappointed in the sound quality of my G string; it sounds a little thin.

I will report back on the results. I may order a 50-70-85-105 set and put them on a different bass to compare them.

I like DR DDT. 45-105, I use them for E standard, D standard or B E A D.

 

[Rod Barchetta]

If the problem is centered on the G-string, it is possible to get individual EB Cobalt flats in different gauges.

• Slinky Cobalt Flatwound Electric Bass Single Strings

Also, just to play "devil's advocate", is it possible to get a Drop-D tuner, set it to E♭ and leave everything else in standard tuning? (I have no idea what songs are in your list, so this suggestion might be invalid, but someone had to ask it, ja?)

On songs that require the low Eb, I offered to detune the E and learn the rest in standard E. But after playing in Eb, we decided to stay there (mostly for vocals).

Im not a fan of Drop D tuners due to increased neck dive. I like my bass to balance with the neck up high.

 

[Rod Barchetta]

It did cause an issue during our last gig when the rhythm guitar player had a brain fart. He totally short circuited for one song and had to stop playing.

It definitely takes some adjustment if you aren't use to it

 

[Malak the Mad]

On songs that require the low Eb, I offered to detune the E and learn the rest in standard E. But after playing in Eb, we decided to stay there (mostly for vocals).

Im not a fan of Drop D tuners due to increased neck dive. I like my bass to balance with the neck up high.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

My band has started to play a few songs that require Eb tuning. Rather than carrying around two instruments each, we decided to just play everything in Eb. This has been a godsend for me. I sing all the harmonies for the band and lead on a few songs. It is so much easier on my throat, especially now that I'm getting older (62).

I've decided to try thicker strings on my Eb bass. I have all my bass guitars set up with really low action. I had to raise it just to eliminate fret buzz. The strings are also a little too floppy for my tastes. To that end, I've got a set of much thicker strings coming in to see how these two factors accommodate each. I play Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats almost exclusively, 45-65-80-100. The set I have coming in are 55-75-90-110. That's a big jump, but I play pretty aggressively. I've also been a little disappointed in the sound quality of my G string; it sounds a little thin.

I will report back on the results. I may order a 50-70-85-105 set and put them on a different bass to compare them.

I hear you about aging. I’m in a vocal band (Motown) comprised of singers in their 70’s where the years have hit the tenors and falsetto singers hard What we decided to do was learn new songs instead of transposing mainly because we have a 4 piece rhythm section and 4 horn players, and as many as five singers harmony. After playing some of these songs for 50 years, it’s just easier to learn new material that to get everybody on (ahem) the same page.

And it that isn’t a sad state of affairs, seeing twelve late 70 year old guys trying to find their car keys is a hoot!

Best wishes.

 

[bdplaid]

On songs that require the low Eb, I offered to detune the E and learn the rest in standard E. But after playing in Eb, we decided to stay there (mostly for vocals).

Im not a fan of Drop D tuners due to increased neck dive. I like my bass to balance with the neck up high.

I don't find the weight of a detuner a problem, as long as I buy the lightweight one. Not having one is just too inconvenient.

 

[bdplaid]

I use all Y keys on my basses because they are lighter.

 

[Rod Barchetta]

I use all Y keys on my basses because they are lighter.

I have Hipshot and Gotoh tuners on almost every bass.

 

[Core Creek]

I have most of my basses tuned to Eb and use really light strings. I guess I don’t have much to reference to - feels fine to me.

But I also have problems hearing my G and C (tuned to B) string. I started using a different bass with 34” scale )(old one was 32”) and now I don’t have the problem. So I don’t know that string gauge is really that big of a factor.

 

[Snakeman1066]

I have played in this tuning the majority of my career and have never had an issue with using 45 to 105's - my strings have never been "Floppy"

 

[Mike N]

I've played in Eb for the last 15 years with TI flats and D'addario rounds.

I recently did a handful of sub gigs with another band that tunes E standard and wow did that seem weird..... especially since in both bands I sing American Band and I had to sing up a little more than what I'm used to with my main band.

 

[Rod Barchetta]

So, I got my strings today. First, the sets I play normally are the Hybrids, so they were actually 45-65-86-105. When I went to 55-75-90-110 and tuned to Eb, the truss rod relief was 0,08", right on target. After breaking them in a bit and making sure I had the setup correct, I played The Boys Are Back In Town and Flying High Again by Ozzy. Both require really fast picking, especially the Ozzy tune.

Wow, was I impressed. The tension is almost identical to my previous set tuned to to E. And it is so much easier to pick quickly cleanly with the heavier strings.

I've played in Eb for the last 15 years with TI flats and D'addario rounds.

I recently did a handful of sub gigs with another band that tunes E standard and wow did that seem weird..... especially since in both bands I sing American Band and I had to sing up a little more than what I'm used to with my main band.

I sing the high part in American Band as well. It was right on the edge of my range tuned to E. In Eb I can nail it. It is amazing the difference a 1/2 step makes.