Just got a 1965 kay m3

[ChristopherL]

Does anyone have any ideas of a fairly affordable string for these basses? I spent $320 on it so it's hard to spend another $400 on strings. I'm looking for a country bluegrass/country sound.

[ChristopherL]

Here she is!!!!

[Jason Sypher]

What a pretty little bass. Is it a 3/4? Bridge might need some work. Might just be out of whack. Stick some Innovation 140B's on it and off you go.

[iiipopes]

Keep an eye on the for sale section in this forum and on eBay for used strings. That's how I got my used Spiro Weichs for a great overall deal for my CCB -- D&G here, E&A yonder, ended up with @ $80 in a set that will last me, for, well, they're Spiros....

Edit: didn't realize until later that the bass was a 1/4. Used strings are almost nonexistant. And there is much less a selection, as posted below.

[ChristopherL]

Hey Jason it's actually a 1/4 size. I know, I know. Why would a grown man play a 1/4? It fits in my two door car, it's easy to carry, and I live in an apartment. That and I have only been playing a few months.

Thank you iipopes for the string suggestion! Do they make spiros in 1/4 size?

[Francois Blais]

Originally Posted by ChristopherL

Do they make spiros in 1/4 size?

Yes.
Actually, the choice is not very wide for 1/4 basses.
Mostly orchestral strings.
Obligatos are available in that scale, also Corellis, Helicore orchestrals, Flexocors.
The most affordable would be Corellis (350B at $103) and Orchestral Helicores at $115).
Prices from Bob G., by the way.

[TroyK]

Nice looking bass, congrats.

You're opportunity for finding deals on used strings are limited because of your scale. Check one of the more comprehensive string retailers like Quinn Violins for something in that mensure and then leave them be.

[ChristopherL]

I have some on them that seem ok, I just dont know age or brand. Maybe a dumb question, can you clean strings? If so what do you recommend? Like I said I just don't know there past.

[TroyK]

Alcohol and a clean cloth.

Describe the strings to us, we love this game.

What color are the silks at the tailpiece end and on each string in the pegbox?

[Kmgills86]

Nice buy on the bass btw!

[ChristopherL]

Thank you!! Ill get string colors asap!

[JayB]

I think the Innovation 140H strings that come in the 1/4 size are what you want. A steel wrap, but a perlon core that gives a fatter sound than steel. Not dead for pizz like an orch string.

[ChristopherL]

String colors:
e-purple bottom, purple top
a-red bottom, blue top
d-black bottom, black and red top
g- black bottom, black top

Hope that helps, let the games begin

[tstone]

If you're planning on standard EADG tuning, another option would be to get a set of solo strings and use the E, A, and D as your top three strings. If the string length on your 1/4 size bass is around 35-1/2", the tensions will come out just about right. Then your task would be to find a nice heavy string to use as a low E. I think there are more options out there for solo sets than for strings specifically designed for 1/4 size instruments.

[Matt Ides]

If you go new the obligatos might suit you well.