Bass strings for E♭ tuning
E♭ standard on bass (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭) drops every string a half step, and every string loses 10.9% of its tension. With a D'Addario EXL170 (.045–.100) at 34″, the set falls from 172.8 lb (78.4 kg) to 153.9 lb (69.8 kg) and the low E♭ (38.9 Hz) from 36.5 lb (16.6 kg) to 32.6 lb (14.8 kg).
E♭ standard from a .045–.100 bass set at 34″
Tension of each EXL170 string a half step down and the D'Addario chart gauge closest to its E-standard tension.
| String | Note | Tension with current string (kg) | Suggested | Suggested tension (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G♭2 | 17.3 | .050w | 21.6 |
| 2 | D♭2 | 20.8 | .070w | 24.3 |
| 3 | A♭1 | 17.0 | .085w | 19.6 |
| 4 | E♭1 | 14.8 | .105w | 16.3 |
How to use it
- The page opens on the electric bass, with Half step down as the new tuning and the EXL170 (.045–.100) as the reference set.
- Change the reference set to the one you play in E standard.
- Set the scale length: 34″, or 35″ on longer basses.
- Compare Tension with current string with Suggested tension and tap Copy suggested set.
Help and explanations
The calculator keeps your E-standard tension as the target. From the EXL170 the D'Addario chart suggests .050 .070 .085 .105: 180.3 lb (81.8 kg), 4% over, because the jump on the G is coarse.
Who plays bass in E♭
If the guitar is in E♭, so is the bass: Hendrix, SRV, Van Halen and Guns N' Roses records, plenty of 80s and 90s rock, and bands tuning down for the singer. A half step is the gentlest down-tuning, and many bassists change nothing at all.
Which set to buy
The suggestion, .050 .070 .085 .105, is D'Addario's EXL160 note for note. The catch is the G: the chart has no string between .045 and .050, so the .045 stays at 38.2 lb (17.3 kg), 11% under, while the .050 reaches 47.6 lb (21.6 kg), 11% over.
A middle path is the EXL165 (.045 .065 .085 .105): in E♭ it totals 163.0 lb (74.0 kg), 6% under the target, keeping your top two strings and firming up the A and E. If you like your current feel a bit looser, keep the EXL170.
Nut and setup
Going to .085 and .105 (2.16 and 2.67 mm) rarely needs nut work. If you keep your old strings, the lower tension lets the neck straighten a little and the low frets may buzz; a small truss-rod adjustment fixes it. Check the octave at the 12th fret after any change.
Tips
- Only the E♭ flapping? Change just the 4th string to a .105: it gives 35.9 lb (16.3 kg), 1.6% under the target.
- Tune with the half step down bass tuner.
- Check intonation string by string with the intonation checker.
- Compare sets with the string tension calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What bass strings for Eb tuning?
To keep the tension of a .045–.100 in E at 34″: .050 .070 .085 .105 (180.3 lb, 81.8 kg, per the D'Addario chart), the same as an EXL160. A 45–105 set is the lighter option.
Do I need heavier bass strings for half step down?
Not really. Each string loses 10.9%: the .100 goes from 36.5 lb (16.6 kg) to 32.6 lb (14.8 kg). Many bassists keep their usual set.
What gauge for the low E♭?
A .105 gives 35.9 lb (16.3 kg) in E♭, within 2% of a .100 in E.
Does Eb tuning change the setup?
Slightly: with lighter tension the neck straightens a bit. Check relief and action, then the intonation.