Picolo

bbqstud · #1 09-08-2011, 12:13 AM

I am a brand new guy who had the pleasure of going to a workshop put on by Carvin featuring Brian Bromberg. He briefly went over the picolo stringing of one of his basses and I thought it was very unique. I'm thinking of stringing my Hofner knowck-off with picolo strings and would like some feedback i.e. can you do it...is the neck strong enough, does it need to be tweaked, etc. Also does anybody have any experience playing this way. Do you tune one octave up, can you tune open g etc. Lots' of questions so thanks in advance for any help. Vinny

FunkMetalBass · #2 09-08-2011, 01:17 AM

If you get thinner strings, you can ideally match the exact same amount of tension that is currently on your bass. What is your preferred string gauge for standard tuning and what tuning are you looking to use for piccolo? Are you wanting EADG an octave up?

Realistically, any time you change your strings, you'll probably need to do some slight truss rod adjustments and some intonation correction. If we can match your current tension, the changes will be minimal.

bbqstud · #3 09-08-2011, 01:32 AM

Don't have a preferred gauge as of yet...haven't gotten that far and yes EADG an octive up to start although I may play with an open G...don't know yet...probably try both. Thanks for tuning in and responding so quickly. Hope to hear from you again. One more thing. any problem you see with the viola and this set-up?

klaus486 · #4 09-08-2011, 01:37 AM

I took the high strings from a D'addario 8 string bass set and slapped 'em on a fender Pbass. No problems at all! Barely had to do any adjustments.....a slight truss rod tweak and I think set the bridge saddle height. Worked like a charm! Only problem is that you may spend WAY too much time playing it! I took the strings off for the same reason I sold my Ukulele-stole many hours of actual bass practice!

bbqstud · #5 09-08-2011, 01:42 AM

Not be a bassist that is, in fact, encouraging. I'm 58 and don't have time to learn anything right so I just wanna have some fun with both guitar and bass and when I got turned on to the Picolo I was really jazzed. Thanks for the feedback. Logging off now until tomorrow.

ixlramp · #6 09-08-2011, 11:14 AM

You can tune anyway you like. You can use a tension chart to make sure the tension is no higher, although for piccolo i recommend less tension as thinner strings seem to feel tighter even when at the same tension, plus chording is made easier.

Huge range of tension-balanced piccolo sets for every semitone increment here: Circle K Strings - Standard Balanced 4 Strings
Circle K Strings tension chart is here: http://circlekstrings.com/CKSIMAGES/...nsionChart.pdf. If you decide to use a non-fourths tuning use this to create a custom set with all strings at equal tension.

FunkMetalBass · #7 09-09-2011, 08:22 AM

For EADG I'd recommend the ".051 4 String 34 to 35 Scale Length Balanced" set.

Circle K Strings - Standard Balanced 4 Strings

For Open G tuning (presumably DGBD?), I'd try a set that looks like this:
.057 - .041 - .029 - .021 (it has about the same tension as the previous set)