Strings to Down Tune (Eb Ab Db Gb)

[Low Commotion]

I recently got involved with a group and the guitar player tunes down a half step. So I tuned my Jazz bass with DR Sunbeams down a half step and did a quick setup on the neck and string height. The strings are really floppy now and even with a setup, they buzz and clank. I have to raise the strings much higher and I’m not too crazy about how the bass plays.

So I went to my local music store and picked up a set of Ernie Ball Power Slinkys 55 - 110. They didn’t have any 50-105s of any brand. After installing the Power Slinkys (55-110) I find they have a much higher tension that I care for, even with tuning down a half step. But I like how they sound.

For those that tune down a half step, what are you using? This group plays rockin’ blues. Any of the threads that I searched on didn’t have what I was after. I’m not interested in getting a five-string.

 

[michael_t]

I recently got involved with a group and the guitar player tunes down a half step. So I tuned my Jazz bass with DR Sunbeams down a half step and did a quick setup on the neck and string height. The strings are really floppy now and even with a setup, they buzz and clank.

DR Sunbeams are very flexible to begin with due to the round core. My suggestion would be for DR Nickel Lo-Riders, which are hex-core and stiff enough not to feel floppy like the Sunbeams when down-tuned.

Since you're only down-tuning them by half a step, the Nickel Lo-Rider 45-105 should do the trick for you. (Assuming you're using the Sunbeams 45-105.)

 

[Yahboy]

LTF4A able handle D std tune well, no floppy no fret buzz (at least both neck relief and action setup done), and no tonal change from E to G string.
On Ti flat, just half step down, the E string sound dull with lack sustain compare to the rest.
The 45-100 Cobalt flat has no problem handle Eb tune (become little floppy), but lot of "metal buzz" while press each fret wire.

 

[bikeplate]

Elixir

 

[Riff Ranger]

DR Sunbeams are very flexible to begin with due to the round core. My suggestion would be for DR Nickel Lo-Riders, which are hex-core and stiff enough not to feel floppy like the Sunbeams when down-tuned.

Since you're only down-tuning them by half a step, the Nickel Lo-Rider 45-105 should do the trick for you. (Assuming you're using the Sunbeams 45-105.)

+1 to hex core roundwounds. If you like DR, I suggest you do as recommended here.

If you like the sound and texture of the Slinkies, just go with the Hybrid set (.105/.085/.065/.045). Those get me all the way down to CGCF! but most players would like them in EbAbDbGb

 

[Ricky Rioli]

Fender 45-105 pure nickels sound and feel considerably better downtuned to Eb Standard.

 

[Slater]

So I went to my local music store and picked up a set of Ernie Ball Power Slinkys 55 - 110. They didn’t have any 50-105s of any brand. After installing the Power Slinkys (55-110) I find they have a much higher tension that I care for, even with tuning down a half step. But I like how they sound.

Seems like you want a set of Regular Slinky. Plenty of online retailers have them in stock.

 

[markanini]

Thicker sets change the string balance too much IMO in Eb standard. Give it some time and a truss rod adjustment.

 

[PeaveyPlayer]

Cobalt round wound were my favourite

down tuned

 

[Low Commotion]

Seems like you want a set of Regular Slinky. Plenty of online retailers have them in stock.

View attachment 4803485

Thanks, I’ll probably go with these next and yes, I’ll order these online next time. I wanted something right away so I went with the heavy duty ones because that’s all they had and I had a rehearsal that night. I’ll keep the heavy duty ones on for a few more days and see if things settle down or my fingers get used to them.

 

[Low Commotion]

LTF4A able handle D std tune well, no floppy no fret buzz (at least both neck relief and action setup done), and no tonal change from E to G string.
On Ti flat, just half step down, the E string sound dull with lack sustain compare to the rest.
The 45-100 Cobalt flat has no problem handle Eb tune (become little floppy), but lot of "metal buzz" while press each fret wire.

I had TI's on my Jazz, but didn’t care for them. But I have TI's on my Precision and I suspect that they wouldn’t do a half step down very well. Do you think the 760FS would be too much tension? I’ve never used Labella, but maybe I need to explore them.

 

[Yahboy]

I had TI's on my Jazz, but didn’t care for them. But I have TI's on my Precision and I suspect that they wouldn’t do a half step down very well. Do you think the 760FS would be too much tension? I’ve never used Labella, but maybe I need to explore them.

I use 760fl on pbass Before LTF4A launch. Once broken in, she became quite stiff to me, especially on fretting finger.
She play well after down to D standard, but lacking clarity that LTF4A has.
If your finger style has finger nail click-in or using pick, sure able bring some clarity on D tune 760FL.

Hopehelp and enjoy your bass string experience journey.

 

[superheavyfunk]

I tune down to D standard and use nickel DR LoRiders (40-105 I think). They’re plenty stiff for my needs and in fact, I’d go so far as to say that they feel even better tuned down a whole step than they do at E standard.

 

[moley6knipe]

I’ve got two 5 string Dimensions, one tuned down half a step (if the guitarist had told me sooner than “the day before first rehearsal” that they tuned down I’d have learnt the fingering accordingly. Hey ho!)

I use D’Addario nickel 50 - 135 on both, EXL160-5. Much prefer playing the down tuned one! I used to use the set with 45 and 65 before I started dropping… but the thicker D and G solve some of the twanginess. For the money, they’re worth a try… last well if they’re wiped down after use too.

 

[Low Commotion]

I put D'Addario EXL165 (45-105) on my MIM Jazz and even with tweaking the truss rod, it didn’t play well. At least how I expected. So I tuned it back to standard (EADG).

I put a set of D'Addarios EXL165 on my Precision, tuned down and tweaked the truss rod a little and it sounds and plays great. So this is what I’ll use for that group.