Hey, Piccolo Guys/Gals

MD · #1 07-22-2009, 02:38 PM

Any one using LaBella Hard Rockin' Steel piccolos? I think it's the M20 - .030, .045, .065, .080 stainless steel round wound.
In my search, I recall someone mentioning they could barely get them up to piccolo tuning, and that maybe they were better used for tenor tuning. Gauges seem kinda big for piccolo.
Any thoughts?

Dirk Diggler · #2 07-22-2009, 09:23 PM

I ended up having to come up with my own gauges especially for 6 string piccolo. Got them from DR, the tension is perfect and they just feel right on a 34" scale.

.065 bass wound
.045 bass wound
.035 bass wound
.025 bass wound
.015 plain
.010 plain

Nicely consistent and makes perfect sense to me. YMMV
Dirk

MD · #3 07-23-2009, 08:15 AM

Thanks. I see plain steel in your line up as well.

Currently I'm using D'Addario EXL280's on a med scale 4 string.
.052, .042, .032, .020
What I'm having issues with is the plain steel G. It just doesn't fit, either from a tactile or a tonal sense, with the wound E, A, and D. The timbre is just wrong to my ears.

Any other thoughts? I could've sworn the 280's had a wound G option. Although that was a few years ago; perhaps discontinued.