picking out strings for a piccolo bass.

Woodfield_Bass · #1 06-09-2010, 10:51 PM

I just got a 25" short scale bass that I wanna make into a piccolo (EADG one octave up). The D'addario piccolo set seems way too thin for my tastes, and the gauges are at odd intervals. I've been looking at juststrings.com and picking out single strings to build a set. I've narrowed it down to two options, both are D'addario:

.20/.40/.60/.80 <-- I like that option because the size interval between strings is the same as my regular bass at .40/.60/.80/.100

.25/.35/.45/.55 <-- this is another even interval, though the intervals are smaller. I'm mainly considering this out of concern that the other choice might have to much tension in the .60/.80 strings.

Does anybody have any useful thoughts here? I really like the first option better, but like I said, I'm concerned about strings tension issues, although I think that maybe the super short scale will allow it...

knuckle_head · #2 06-09-2010, 11:06 PM

Are you after bass tension or guitar tension? 25" is a Strat scale length (more or less) and they roll with a low to mid .050's

Bass tensions would dictate that you look for a .064/.068/.072 on bottom or there-abouts

Woodfield_Bass · #3 06-09-2010, 11:14 PM

I guess I'm looking for closer to bass tension...I already do a lot of chord strumming on my long scale carvin, and I like the tension it has, I want basically the same feel when I play the piccolo, just with the higher octave range.

knuckle_head · #4 06-09-2010, 11:18 PM

The .068 and .064 sit under 40 pounds - either would feel 'bassish'

FWIW there is no difference in the manufacturing process or materials between guitar and bass strings - and guitar sets will be cheaper. You might need to thread guitar strings through bass ball ends if you have a bass bridge on the beastette

Woodfield_Bass · #5 06-09-2010, 11:41 PM

what about something like the la bella hard rockin steel piccolo set (.30-.80)? I've read that they have really high tension on a 32" scale bass, and are unusable on a 34" scale, but mine's only 25", which is tiny....

knuckle_head · #6 06-10-2010, 08:38 AM

You'll be nearing 55 pounds with a .080 - I would suggest going no heavier than a .075. The E will likely be fine for you, but the high side will proportionally get tighter and they likely won't stand up to the tension. That .030 may not handle 50 pounds.

That .080 set is meant for A below the E you're aiming for FWIW.

FunkMetalBass · #7 06-10-2010, 08:47 AM

^ The .80 is an ADGC set.

Look for something with a low string roughly the same gauge (maybe a little heavier to counter the small scale) than your Carvin's D-string.

toobalicious · #8 06-10-2010, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knuckle_head

You'll be nearing 55 pounds with a .080 - I would suggest going no heavier than a .075. The E will likely be fine for you, but the high side will proportionally get tighter and they likely won't stand up to the tension. That .030 may not handle 50 pounds.

That .080 set is meant for A below the E you're aiming for FWIW.

which is actually what a piccolo bass is tuned to. right?

toobalicious · #9 06-10-2010, 08:52 AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piccolo_bass

i stand corrected. now wth do i call my formerly-known-as-piccolo-bass-tuned-ADGC?

toobalicious · #10 06-10-2010, 08:58 AM

yes, i am talking to myself.

TENOR bass... i shouldve known, lol.

knuckle_head · #11 06-10-2010, 08:59 AM

I always considered ADGC piccolo tuning.

Maybe the E above that would be considered Tenor Bass? :idk:

The WIKI does suggest E as a piccolo tuning too I suppose.

knuckle_head · #12 06-10-2010, 08:59 AM

bwaaaahhhaaahhaaa

Great minds.....

Woodfield_Bass · #13 06-10-2010, 09:49 AM

Well, I've already ordered a set with .25/.40/.60/.80 so I guess we'll see what happens, haha.

FunkMetalBass · #14 06-10-2010, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodfield_Bass

Well, I've already ordered a set with .25/.40/.60/.80 so I guess we'll see what happens, haha.

That will probably be far too heavy for EADG tuning. I'd start it off at BEAD and see how it feels, then progressively take it up a half step at a time.

Woodfield_Bass · #15 06-10-2010, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

That will probably be far too heavy for EADG tuning. I'd start it off at BEAD and see how it feels, then progressively take it up a half step at a time.

that sounds like good advice...It's really just a matter of exploring on my part and not being afraid to break a couple of strings in the process.

knuckle_head · #16 06-10-2010, 05:39 PM

I bet the .080 will be good at C# or D. It gets loose at C imo.

Here's what you can expect; @ C#-38 lbs F#-39.9 lbs B-31.8 lbs E-23.4
@ D-47.9 G-44.8 C-35.7 F-26.2

BassLife77 · #17 06-13-2010, 11:24 PM

I couldn't find a piccolo set I liked so I made a set from single bass strings and guitar strings. I used D'Addario ProSteel bass strings .050, .042. and 2 strings from a Dean Markley Blue Steel guitar set .030, .018. they start off very bright but mellow out. great output