I can't find a 5 string piccolo set, so I thought of something else.

The_Orlonater · #1 08-14-2008, 08:46 PM

I was wondering if this would work. I might as well ask you guys. Since 4 string sets are available, and 5 for 5; I can't find it. So I though of something, since the low B on a piccolo would be the same note and pitch as the B on the A string. Why not use an A string, and tune it up a whole step?

Opinions?

Suggestions to find a piccolo 5 string set too?

Yes, I have searched, nothing really answers my question.

jsingles · #2 08-14-2008, 08:49 PM

i have no idea if its truly the same sort of string other than the size.... i suppose you could try though..

but there MUST be a true low B for piccolo.. as ive seen them used before.

The_Orlonater · #3 08-14-2008, 09:00 PM

Yeah I know...

Where are they..!?!?!

Eh, I want to tune these strings at up to about a 5th.

Maybe it ain't a great idea.

bassandbeyond · #4 08-14-2008, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Orlonater

since the low B on a piccolo would be the same note and pitch as the B on the A string. Why not use an A string, and tune it up a whole step?

That's exactly what I did when recording scratch tracks for my album. The piccolo strings I had were .020 .032. 042. .052, and my old A string was .060, so I figured that was about right. I left my bass strung that way for several months with no problems, although I must say that when tuned up a full octave from standard tuning, piccolo bass strings have quite high tension, and excessive practice can strain your hands. So please be careful.

**Pacman** · #5 08-14-2008, 09:11 PM

I did the same - it works fine

jsingles · #6 08-14-2008, 09:14 PM

interesting to know...

The_Orlonater · #7 08-16-2008, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassandbeyond

That's exactly what I did when recording scratch tracks for my album. The piccolo strings I had were .020 .032. 042. .052, and my old A string was .060, so I figured that was about right. I left my bass strung that way for several months with no problems, although I must say that when tuned up a full octave from standard tuning, piccolo bass strings have quite high tension, and excessive practice can strain your hands. So please be careful.

What kind of A string did you use? Do you think it'll tune high up as a 5th?

Redhot6 · #8 08-16-2008, 01:14 AM

check musicians friend under d adarrio, they sell singles and there might be a low enough or high enough gauge on there to work for whatever you need

amper · #9 08-16-2008, 10:34 AM

When you say "piccolo", what exactly do you mean? What tuning are you using, and what scale length? Are you looking for all wound strings, or do you also use plain strings as part of your set?

What kind/brand of strings do you prefer? Round or flat?

I do a lot of experimenting with my Warwick, so I've been looking around at all different kinds of strings. Right now, I'm actually using D'Addario Prelude 4/4 medium tension cello strings, tuned in fifths, so it's kind of like a super-long scale electric cello.

If I assume that you're using a 34" scale bass tuned an octave higher than standard pitch (the most common definition of "piccolo bass"), then you shouldn't have any problem finding a low B string from the various brand of single strings available. A common 4-string piccolo set is the D'Addario EXL280 set (.020 plain, .032, .042, .052 wound). The tensions on that set run 41.7-50.8 lbs, so I'd say a D'Addario XL .075 (47.8 lbs @ B) or an .070 (42.5 lbs @ B) might work well.

amper · #10 08-16-2008, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassandbeyond

That's exactly what I did when recording scratch tracks for my album. The piccolo strings I had were .020 .032. 042. .052, and my old A string was .060, so I figured that was about right. I left my bass strung that way for several months with no problems, although I must say that when tuned up a full octave from standard tuning, piccolo bass strings have quite high tension, and excessive practice can strain your hands. So please be careful.

Are you sure that old A string wasn't an .080 rather than an .060? An .060 is usually a D string on a 34" scale bass.

bassandbeyond · #11 08-19-2008, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amper

Are you sure that old A string wasn't an .080 rather than an .060? An .060 is usually a D string on a 34" scale bass.

Oops! Excuse me, I think you're right.....it probably was a D string from an Ernie Ball Extra Slinky set (.060). I can't remember for sure, but if it was an A string, then it would have been .070. I suppose either one could work, but for tuning up a whole octave above standard tuning, I'd probably recommend the lighter tension of the .060.