Short scale acoustic strings

John127 · #1 07-23-2010, 12:13 PM

Hey all,

Just got an Alvarez MSB1 short scale acoustic (great little bass, by the way) and it needs new strings. I was told by the previous owner that phosphor bronze strings are on it currently and good for acoustic basses.

The thing is, I play flats on all my electrics and just love the feel of them. I figure my usual short scale flats (Labella) will just sound dead and low on an acoustic. are there any alternatives that will have a smooth feel, good volume and punch, and are made in a 30 inch scale?

I'm open to any and all suggestions. Thanks!

John

fretlessguy · #2 07-24-2010, 02:15 PM

These are the closest thing I could find to what you need. In fact, they are the only short scale bronze strings I know of. I have used them in the past, and they were quite good. I use GHS Short scale flats these days because of the lack of finger noise.
Good luck.

http://www.juststrings.com/ghs-9200.html

John127 · #3 07-24-2010, 03:43 PM

Thanks! I somehow missed those doing my search. I ordered the Fender medium scale set, hoping they'd be fine, but I think I'll get these as well.

Do you use the GHS flats on an acoustic short scale? If so, how is the volume of the strings unamplified?

fretlessguy · #4 07-25-2010, 07:02 PM

The GHS flats are not as loud acoustically as the phosphor strings are. They are smoother and have less fingernoise, however. Since I use the bass for semi-acoustic situations (actually plugged in) I am more concerned about how it comes through the amp than what it sounds like acoustically. There are not many ABGs that can be loud enough to project out and be heard, and the ones that can will never be mistaken for an uprite bass. The one I had ( A Reagal "dobro" type bass) was loud enough for small acoustic bluegrass circles. The old super big Guild B 30 was, but they are no longer made and are very expensive on the used market due to their collectablility.
Best of luck with your new strings.

Doug

John127 · #5 07-26-2010, 06:16 PM

Doug,

Thanks, I do use the bass without an amp while practicing so I'm going to try the phosphor bronze for a bit. I hate the finger noise though when plugged in and wonder if it's more the pickup or the strings. I may try a set of flats eventually and see if it's still playable unamplified.