Strings for E-flat tuning

[Springman]

So....I have replaced my strings with a set of Fender 7250ml which was what was on there already. I didn't kick up the string gauge but sonically the sound seems to be more satisfying. Could it be my strings were that fricken dead that detuning put them over the edge?
I am finding the physics behind string tension as described by the commenters fascinating.
Again, I appreciate the insights shared here!

 

[Springman]

I'm revising my original statement, because I just returned a SR600 that had a very weak neck on it.
De-Tuning merely a half-step really messed with the playability of it, so it had to GO!

If your instrument is like this, I suggest finding a replacement neck or just a better instrument.
This isn't a put-down of whatever you play, just practical advice.

My *SR Premium OTOH can be down-tuned to C Standard from E Standard & still remain playable, w/o a TR adjustment or action adjustment.
The last time I had a bass with a neck that stiff was a quarter-sawn neck on a G&L ASAT.

Oh wait, I also just had a SR300E with a neck "almost" that stiff, it could go to C# w/o adjustments, but unfortunately the neck was twisted a little.


* The Premium line has Titanium reinforcement bars in the neck:

View attachment 3223627

I actually think the Titanium helps it sound better!

I think you may have something here. The bass in question is a Squier CV and while I love the neck profile it wouldn't surprise me if the stiffness was a bit suspect. Fortunately I have a variety of basses to experiment with including a couple of USA P's, one with a jazz neck. Not saying they're on par with a SR300E but they both have the graphite trusses and hopefully are a smidge stiffer than a CV's neck.
Thanks for your input here and generally throughout Talkbass, your knowledge base and contribution is humbling and I hope well appreciated!

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Thanks for the note of appreciation, which is sort of ironic, because I'm intending on spending less time here going forward.

I don't think I'm being overly-pedantic to state that those are likely not graphite truss rods, but graphite reinforcement bars/rods.
The SR300E doesn't have those, it's my SR1800E that has Titanium bars.

If you look at the photo I posted on the last page, the reinforcement bars run parallel to the steel truss rod.

 

[Stevorebob]

I think you may have something here. The bass in question is a Squier CV and while I love the neck profile it wouldn't surprise me if the stiffness was a bit suspect. Fortunately I have a variety of basses to experiment with including a couple of USA P's, one with a jazz neck. Not saying they're on par with a SR300E but they both have the graphite trusses and hopefully are a smidge stiffer than a CV's neck.
Thanks for your input here and generally throughout Talkbass, your knowledge base and contribution is humbling and I hope well appreciated!

I can’t speak to the Squier neck specifically, but any reasonably solid neck should be able to handle Eb tuning. Some truss-rod adjustment might be needed, but if you’re going to have it permanently tuned to Eb, it would be optimal to set the bass up for that tuning anyway.

I believe KBD’s experience reflects his challenges with a particularly weak neck that would not handle multiple tunings without issues. The instrument was unable to suit the range of tuning changes desired. Might have been a different story if the bass were to be used and set up for one tuning only.

 

[JGbassman]

I play in a few different bands, and use a D-tuner pretty heavily in one band. At typical western pitch (A:440hz) I tend to like the tension of 45-105 gauged strings. At a half step drop, I prefer 50-110 if I can find them. They seem to give about the same tension, and the heavier gauge strings seem to tighten up the sound a half step down as well. I am primarily talking about SS RW strings,

Good luck and experiment. Changing your pickup height will also help clear up some of the mud.