Strings for E♭ tuning (half step down)
E♭ standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭) drops every string a half step. Frequency falls 5.6% and tension 10.9%: a .010–.046 at 25.5″ goes from 103.6 lb (47.0 kg) to 92.3 lb (41.9 kg), and the low E♭ (77.8 Hz) from 17.5 lb (7.9 kg) to 15.6 lb (7.1 kg).
E♭ standard from a .010–.046 at 25.5″
Tension of each EXL110 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 | E♭4 | 6.6 | .0105 | 7.2 |
| 2 | B♭3 | 6.2 | .014 | 7.2 |
| 3 | G♭3 | 6.7 | .018 | 7.5 |
| 4 | D♭3 | 7.4 | .028w | 8.6 |
| 5 | A♭2 | 7.9 | .038w | 8.7 |
| 6 | E♭2 | 7.1 | .049w | 8.0 |
How to use it
- The page opens on the electric guitar, with Half step down as the new tuning and the EXL110 (.010–.046) as the reference set.
- Change the reference set to what you play in E standard (9s, 10s, 11s...).
- Set the scale length: 25.5″ or 24.75″.
- Read the loss in Tension with current string and the fix in Suggested, then tap Copy suggested set.
Help and explanations
The calculator keeps the tension of your E-standard set as the target. From an EXL110 the D'Addario chart gives .0105 .014 .018 .028 .038 .049: 104.1 lb (47.2 kg), within 0.5% of the original.
Who plays in E♭
Half step down is classic-rock and blues territory: Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eddie Van Halen and Slash all recorded staples in E♭. Singers use it to take a song down a notch, and many players simply like the slightly looser bends and darker tone.
Which set to buy
Going up half a size per string is enough. A D'Addario EXL115 (.011–.049) tuned to E♭ totals 105.7 lb (47.9 kg), just 2% over a .010–.046 in E: for most players, 11s in E♭ feel like 10s in E.
Coming from 9s? A .009–.042 drops from 85.1 lb (38.6 kg) in E to 75.8 lb (34.4 kg) in E♭; a 10–46 in E♭ gives 92.3 lb (41.9 kg), 8% more than your 9s in E, so a 9.5 or a 10 set is the natural move. Many players just keep their usual set and enjoy the extra slink: an 11% loss is mild.
Nut, neck and intonation
The changes are small: .046 to .049 is 1.17 to 1.24 mm, and most nut slots take it without filing. If you keep your old set instead, the neck loses a little relief and may buzz on the low frets: a small truss-rod tweak sorts it. Check the octave at the 12th fret either way.
Tips
- Only the low strings flapping? Change the wound ones (.028 .038 .049) and keep your plain strings.
- Tune with the half step down tuner, which shows E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭.
- Re-check intonation with the intonation checker after the swap.
- Compare two packs with the string tension calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What strings for Eb tuning?
To keep the tension of a .010–.046 in E at 25.5″: .0105 .014 .018 .028 .038 .049 (104.1 lb, 47.2 kg, per the D'Addario chart). An 11–49 pack is the closest common set, at 47.9 kg.
Do I need heavier strings for half step down?
Not necessarily. Every string loses 10.9%, and many players like that. If the low E♭ feels loose at 15.6 lb (7.1 kg), a .049 brings it back to 17.5 lb (7.9 kg).
Are 9s OK for Eb tuning?
They work but get floppy: a 9–42 in E♭ totals 75.8 lb (34.4 kg), 11% under what it gives in E. Try 10s for a similar feel.
Does a 24.75″ scale change the gauge?
Yes: the shorter scale removes about 6% more. An 11–49 in E♭ at 24.75″ totals 99.4 lb (45.1 kg), still close to a 10–46 in E at 25.5″.