An open letter to D'Addario.

[MIJ-VI]

Hello.

I've been using D'Addario XL156's on my MIJ Fender VI since 1997 (IME/IMO the XL156's low E should be a .094 instead of .084).

However, I would rather use flatwound strings as they offer a fatter low end punch, and MUCH less finger noise than roundwounds do.

Since D'Addario doesn't offer flatwounds for the Fender VI, I was thinking of piecing together a set using a:

- CG022 Single XL Chromes Flat Wound 022 for the E 1st string

and a

- CG032 Single XL Chromes Flat Wound 032 for the B 2nd string

and the

- ECB81M Set Medium Scale 45-100 set for the remaining four strings.

Would these strings fit a Fender VI?

If not, would you folks at D'Addario please consider making some and offering them as a special order item on your web site?

From my perspective, D'Addario already makes good flatwound strings in gauges appropriate for use with 30" - 30.3" scale Bass VI-type instruments.

It's just a matter of ensuring that the E 1st, the B 2nd, and the E 6th strings are all the right length.

A good, lighter-tops/heavier-bottoms flatwound string set is SORELY needed for the 30.3" scale Fender VI, and the 30" scale Burns Barracuda (Burns currently recommends the D'Addario XL156 Fender VI string set for use with this instrument).

Also, I'd expect that the 30" scale Schecter Hellcat VI (whose different tail-piece design requires a 'speaking length' string length just under two inches shorter than that of the Fender VI) could perhaps be accommodated by substituting the short scale 45-100 string set in place of the ECB81M Set Medium Scale 45-100 strings.

(BTW. Kurt at Rondo Music is having Agile make a 30" scale Bass VI-type instrument which is due to be available in November or December 2009.)

So, aside from DIY Bass VI's made by members of OffsetGuitars.com, and the pricey (and currently out-of-production - again - Fender VI--it'll be back :-), there are, at the moment, two other (affordable) Bass VI-type instruments (with a third on the way) in the market place.

Add to these four+ instrument types the moderately more expensive Jerry Jones/Danelectro 30" E-e six stringers, and the 29 5/8" Music Man Silhouette, and there would appear to be a market for good, lighter-tops/heavier-bottoms flatwound string sets from D'Addario which would appeal to those who use their Bass VI's primarily as a bass instrument--especially since there's more work for ba$$ players than guitarists.

Roundwounds make a 30" - 30.3" E-e six string sound like a bass GUITAR, whereas flatwounds make it sound like a BASS guitar.

Thank you.

Gary

[Darkstrike]

Interesting, the Rondo/Agile Bass VI was the most interesting bit though!

I would choose flats for one too, fwiw.

[ChronicPyromaniac]

Originally Posted by MIJ-VI

Kurt at Rondo Music is having Agile make a 30" scale Bass VI-type instrument which is due to be available in November or December 2009.

I've heard this a couple of times. Is there a source for this info?

[MIJ-VI]

Originally Posted by ChronicPyromaniac

I've heard this a couple of times. Is there a source for this info?

Yup. Post #709.

"So...just talked to Kurt @ Rondo Music again...says that V1.0 of the Agile VI is currently in production and to expect it on the site around November..."

[kslight]

I've heard this a couple of times. Is there a source for this info?

I have been communicating with Kurt about this directly.



I would buy a D'Addario set of VI strings over GHS/Fender/Labella IF they were offered in standard gauges (.95-.25) and not the lighter sets currently manufactured...roundwound or flatwound. I'd buy a set of D'Addario flats for the VI only if they were at a more reasonable price point than the Labella sets. And above all...I would only buy them if they fit on my Schecter Hellcat VI...as that is the only VI I currently own (though I will get an Agile VI when they are available).

[ProfGumby]

Here is a thought. And sorry if I missed it here in this thread, but why can't the manufacturers offer single strings? Any string they make available singly? And at the same price as if there was such a set.

I know a lot of players that like specific strings in specific places, so why not make this an option? You know, create your own set.

Ideas?

[TRichardsbass]

I actually called D'addario and asked them to do the same thing. Make a Chromes set for the JJ bass. Then they would be perfect for my Dano's.

I was talking to JJ the other day, and asked him to put the squeeze on D'addario as well.

Hopefully they will listen.

I have a different dilemna though. I was able to get a set of short scale ECB81s on my Dan Armstrong Modified Danelectro and my reissue Danelectro. I have four aluminum necked basses that I need to go to a lighter guage on. Do I put sets of the ECB80s on them all (4 of them) and go flatwound, or do I change the ECB81s out on the Danos and go XL155 on the Danos and XL220 on the four lumies?

Help!

[MIJ-VI]

Originally Posted by ProfGumby

Here is a thought. And sorry if I missed it here in this thread, but why can't the manufacturers offer single strings? Any string they make available singly? And at the same price as if there was such a set.

I know a lot of players that like specific strings in specific places, so why not make this an option? You know, create your own set.

Ideas?

Hi ProfGumby.

You mean like a bass string 'custom shop'? (I wonder if Kurt wants to get into the string business?)

To a degree D'Addario does this already by offering single strings for long scale basses--but not for the others...

[MIJ-VI]

Originally Posted by TRichardsbass

I actually called D'addario and asked them to do the same thing. Make a Chromes set for the (1)JJ bass. Then they would be perfect for my (1)Dano's.

I was talking to JJ the other day, and asked him to put the squeeze on D'addario as well.

Hopefully they will listen.

I have a different dilemna though. I was able to get a set of short scale ECB81s on my (2)Dan Armstrong Modified Danelectro and my (2)reissue Danelectro. I have four (3)aluminum necked basses that (4)I need to go to a lighter guage on. (5)Do I put sets of the ECB80s on them all (4 of them) and go flatwound, or do I change the ECB81s out on the Danos and go XL155 on the Danos and XL220 on the four lumies?

Help!

Hi TRichardsbass.

Thank you for prodding D'Addario. If enough players do, it should make a difference.

For clarification:

(1) 30" six string instruments?

(2) 30" four string instruments?

(3) Kramers? 30"? 32"?

--------

(4) Rotosound short and medium scale RS77 Jazz Bass flats are lighter-gauged than D'Addario Chromes. The RS77's are also darned good strings (I've used RS77 long scales on a P). Check Rotosound's web site to see who's played them. (Hint: Dark Side Of The Moon.)

(5) If I owned multiple basses I'd string each one according to its feature set and personality with the larger aim of having a variety of bass tones (tools-in-the-box) to choose from.

Vintage basses would definitely get flats to avert (or arrest further) fret damage, and to nail an old school vibe.

Example: If the impending Agile VI is a winner, I'll get one for my inept, Stevie Ray string-stretching roundwound abuse, and then refurbish & upgrade my MIJ Fender VI into a flatwound-strung
classic tic-tac Bass VI (I've already got Curtis Novak Jaguar pickups, and the plate reverb ).

[MIJ-VI]

Update: Still no response from my direct communication with D'Addario...

[MIJ-VI]

*tumble weed rolls by*

[Yerf Dog]

Originally Posted by MIJ-VI

Update: Still no response from my direct communication with D'Addario...

Still nada?

[johnp352]

I don't hang out here all that much, so sorry I missed your question. I have gone through looking for flats for both ss 4 string basses (Jerry Jones/real danos) and fender VI's I have played as well. ..IOW, going up the gauge ladder to higher pitches, for over 25 years.. here's what I found, hope it helps:

When I started designing my current instrument, I wanted to source out the strings ahead of time. The instrument I had in mind was a combination baritone/bass hybrid..a "tenor" bass. (I have played fender VI's since 1978, and "regular" basses from almost 10 years before that..creeeek), my idea was to have the range of a baritone, but with 5 strings..and to have the right hand spacing of a "standard" bass..I built a mule from a pos korean dano, had a 5 string nut cut etc etc. to see if it would be a feasible idea. It was. As I had played and endorsed Rick Turner's Ren basses 12 years ago..I kindly asked him to execute the idea using his Ren form..it came out great..a 2 pickup Ren Deuce , 30" scale, tuned A-F in fourths, with standard Ren bass right hand spacing. ..so..A-F, 5 strings..I play flats, have for a long time....where to go..they didn't exactly carry a set at Geetar Barn USA..

I have had string endorsements over the years, but the people I knew at some of the companies..weren't there anymore..and I was starting to, well, if your "letter to D'addario" is any indication..I know what you feel like. I called around for a while..and finally, had a stroke of good fortune (REALLY good fortune) and connected with a master string designer at D'addario, Fan Tao ( the kind of man everyone here hopes to know..knowledgeable, a genius at what he does, and a kind person who took the time to help me out, even though I am a nobody. ). Through our dialogue, in which he explained the mysteries of flats and windings etc etc (I thought I knew this stuff..I didn't), I was able to get a set that worked..and your idea of the extended set is very close to what I have.

I have found a few interesting things about string gauge, winding, etc since then, and I was able to use the D'addario Chrome GUITAR strings for my c and f strings..with the added advantage that I have been able to experiment with gauges on these..going from a 28 to a 32 on the c, and a 20 ( the smallest D'addario flat) to a 24 on the F..while keeping a balance of 80/60/40 on the a/d/g..to extend this to a BassVI..a 95 or a 100 would work for the E .

..first..I would take a good look at what you use now..and using the string tension formula that's on the D'addario site..figure out where you sit with what you have..then go from there. D'addario has the strings.

I have used a lot of flats..Thoms, GHS, Fender, LaBella, Rotosound, Pyramids..but for my way of playing, the Chromes sounded the best, and had the feel I like..somewhere between Thoms and LaBellas. And they didn't cost an arm and a leg either..I am (what is turning out to be an oxymoron lately) a working musician and I watch my $$.

As an aside..there is a difference between a D'addario Chrome bass string, and a D'addario Chrome guitar string, even if the gauges are the same..so you could try a 40 for example, in both..and I think the guitar strings will fit your VI, they fit my Ren Deuce, and I have through the body stringing...the scales are the same.

I hope this helps, I feel your frustration. Head over to D'addario. Fan Tao was head designer on the strings for Ned's electric cello, IOW, flats that sing..and they are applying this knowledge to other things as well. And drop me a line, I can try to answer anything else you have a question about.