Guys who play both standard tuning and Eb, change gauges?

[Digital Jams]

Been messing with Eb tuning and with 9-42s the guitar feels too slinky if that makes sense, bends and vibratos feel awesome but the guitar feels a tad sloppy for lack of the right words.

Any input on this? I am thinking a heavy gauge may be in order.

Yeah I am on a big VH kick.

 

[Jakem]

Been messing with Eb tuning and with 9-42s the guitar feels too slinky if that makes sense, bends and vibratos feel awesome but the guitar feels a tad sloppy for lack of the right words.

Any input on this? I am thinking a heavy gauge may be in order.

Yeah I am on a big VH kick.

I've been using 9s in Eb for years now and it just feels good to me. I play about once per week these days so I don't want to fight it when I play. Go for thicker strings if you need to get rid of the sloppiness in them...

 

[tweed]

I mostly play .10s in standard these days Scott, but I have left a few guitars with 9's. You could always give the 9.5's a shot and see how they feel before moving up to far. Doesn't Ed play .08s?

 

[Digital Jams]

Been messing with Eb tuning and with 9-42s the guitar feels too slinky if that makes sense, bends and vibratos feel awesome but the guitar feels a tad sloppy for lack of the right words.

Any input on this? I am thinking a heavy gauge may be in order.

Yeah I am on a big VH kick.

I've been using 9s in Eb for years now and it just feels good to me. I play about once per week these days so I don't want to fight it when I play. Go for thicker strings if you need to get rid of the sloppiness in them...

After several hours it felt better but after playing a standard tuned guitar it feels a bit loose again, I will admit I am a little heavy handed so that may be the reason for the feel.

 

[glassjaw7]

For 25.5 scale in Eb, I've been using EB Hybrid Slinky sets.

 

[Anonymous]

Been messing with Eb tuning and with 9-42s the guitar feels too slinky if that makes sense, bends and vibratos feel awesome but the guitar feels a tad sloppy for lack of the right words.

Any input on this? I am thinking a heavy gauge may be in order.

Yeah I am on a big VH kick.

I use 9-42 for E and Eb. I never have any problem with it. If you're doing some VH, get used to the 9-42 in Eb - that is part of the sound (the way the looser strings react to your playing - pick HARD)...

I only use larger gauges for my guitars that are drop tuned to D. I use 10-52 (light top, heavy bottom) for that...

I always use Elixir Nanowebs if I can get them (BTW)...

Steve

 

[Anonymous]

I mostly play .10s in standard these days Scott, but I have left a few guitars with 9's. You could always give the 9.5's a shot and see how they feel before moving up to far. Doesn't Ed play .08s?

Yngwie plays .08s - Ed has always said 9-42...

Steve

 

[Anonymous]

I mostly play .10s in standard these days Scott, but I have left a few guitars with 9's. You could always give the 9.5's a shot and see how they feel before moving up to far. Doesn't Ed play .08s?

Yngwie plays .08s - Ed has always said 9-42...

Steve

.08-46 hybrid

Yngwie, right?

Steve

 

[XSSIVE]

on 25.5" scale i use 10-46 for E and for Eb i use 10.5-48 (D'Addario). the slight half gauge up works perfect for making up for the flat tuning. i found 11s were a bit too stiff yet they work perfect for me in E on 24.75" scale.

 

[Digital Jams]

it is a bit odd but different brands of stings work better in some scenarios. the one Floyd Charvel that I have tuned to Eb, I use GHS Boomers on but I don't like those strings for standard tuning since they fell a bit too stiff. I used to use 46 on the low E but I'm back to 9-42 sets with a Floyd or hybrid 9-46 on my strats with vintage tremolos. YMMV FWIW OTOH,

I was thinking of going with a 46, that is where I feel I need a bit more stiffness.

Let's see where this reply goes..................

 

[Meathead]

Scotty, my regular band has been tuning to Eb for years now. Try these, they feel great, sound great in Eb. They hold there tone and last a very long time.
Thank me later.

 

[Meathead]

I feel I need a bit more stiffness.

yes

Oh...then...

 

[JakeAC5253]

I have been using Daddario 11-49 in E and Eb and it works for me. Other guys who play my guitar say they feel nice as well.

 

[philb]

The band plays in Eb. I use .010
It's cool but there's nothing wrong with .009

 

[glassjaw7]

I have been using Daddario 11-49 in E and Eb and it works for me. Other guys who play my guitar say they feel nice as well.

I agree, your instrument does feel quite nice in my hands...

 

[BenoA]

The band plays in Eb. I use .010
It's cool but there's nothing wrong with .009

In Eb
Same here: 10-46 (D'Addario or ErnieBall) for me for 25.5 guitars, shorter scale I use 11-49 (D'Addario)

In regular E: 9-42 or 10-46 for shorter scale.

My best advice, start with your usual set and see if it feels/sounds good for you. If not, do some tests, YMMV according to your preferences. Everyone here will have their own personal advice according on how they like their guitar setup.

Have fun!

 

[Ayrton]

9 for E
10 for Eb
11 for Eb Gibson

All D'Addario

 

[Tawlks]

11 in E and Eb. if I was reguarly gigging in Eb I'd probbably do the same.

 

[killertone]

Gotta go with 10-46 for Eb.

 

[JakeAC5253]

I have been using Daddario 11-49 in E and Eb and it works for me. Other guys who play my guitar say they feel nice as well.

I agree, your instrument does feel quite nice in my hands...

Didn't see that coming