What's the best way to set up for E-flat tuning?

[marty_the_westie]

I normally use 10's on both my Ibanez's. I am going to set up one for E-flat tuning. Should I switch to a heavier guage strings like 11's, or keep the 10's and make a neck adjustment? I want as close to the feel that I have now in standard tuning. I really hate playing a guitar with loose buzzy strings. What do you think?

 

[rspst14]

Re: What's the best way to set up for E-flat tuning?

For half step down, I would stick with 10's. If you tune down any further than that, move up to a set of 11's.

Ryan

 

[Hellion]

Re: What's the best way to set up for E-flat tuning?

You should be fine with your current guages for only a 1/2 step down.

 

[Breaking the law]

Re: What's the best way to set up for E-flat tuning?

I agree. Just set the neck and check the intonation.

 

[theodie]

Re: What's the best way to set up for E-flat tuning?

I usually play 10's with standard tuning also but, I have a guitar I have setup for Eb and I use Ernie ball power slinky 11-48's and love them for Eb tuning.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002CZUB0/102-7989364-8371307?v=glance

They willl feel very close to 10's in standard tuning. I would recomend doind a neck adjustment if needed and set the intonation also just to be sure everything is on the up.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: What's the best way to set up for E-flat tuning?

I prefer 10's in standard tuning and 11's for Eb tuning, especially on Pauls, since they have a shorter scale. In Eb, 11's just feel like 10's in standard. You'll get less string warble, too.

 

[Quencho092]

Re: What's the best way to set up for E-flat tuning?

if one plays alot in Eb but only has one guitar, would it be worth it to have it well intonated and set up for Eb when i also play in E alot?

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: What's the best way to set up for E-flat tuning?

The intonation changes if you tune to ANY alternate tuning. Not drastically, but enough to make a few chords up high on the neck sound sour.
It's best to have any guitars you own setup for their particular tuning. If not, it'll be close, but not perfect. I actually had to yank the bridge off my PRS McCarty and replace it with a Tonepros bridge, just because I wanted to use it as a Eb dropped low string guitar.

 

[theodie]

Re: What's the best way to set up for E-flat tuning?

Joneseer, Whats the definition of string warble?

 

[Cazmarzak]

Re: What's the best way to set up for E-flat tuning?

I think it kinda depends on what Brand of sttrings you use also. I know that Boomers 9' are WAY lighter feeling that DaDarrios, Ernie Bsll seem a bit heavier to me.

Other wise I agree with most everyone else that It probabaly won't make a difference for a half step down.