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Fender jag baritone/bass VI string problem

T

Tylden

Jul 2, 2020
3
3
#1
Two weeks ago I bought a Fender Jaguar baritone custom AKA Jaguar bass VI. I have been looking all over internet, but cannot find proper strings that will fit. The original 25-95 set went out of production years ago.

I really want to tune it E-E, so in example Daddario 24-84 will be too thin and sloppy. I tried a Labella 26-95, but the low E is too thick for the peghole.

This is all very frustrating. Really hope someone can help. Thanks!
 
#2
Tylden said:
Two weeks ago I bought a Fender Jaguar baritone custom AKA Jaguar bass VI. I have been looking all over internet, but cannot find proper strings that will fit. The original 25-95 set went out of production years ago.

I really want to tune it E-E, so in example Daddario 24-84 will be too thin and sloppy. I tried a Labella 26-95, but the low E is too thick for the peghole.

This is all very frustrating. Really hope someone can help. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Option 1) Try the lowest 6 strings from the Ernie Ball 2628 (9-String Slinky) set:
Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Extended Range Strings | Ernie Ball

I'm afraid I cannot guarantee that the lowest two strings taper where they should (between nut and tuning post) on your 28.5" scale instrument. Reports on the net are invariably from 9-string guitarists, and they never provide exact measurements, just "it does(n't) fit". According to Ernie Ball
[This invalid link has been removed]
at least the 080 from the heavy 8-string set does taper at 31", so the 080 from the 9-string set, and more importantly the 105, may as well.

Option 2) According to a report, the Ibanez IEBS4CMK are quite short. In fact, they may be exactly what you need. You'll have to add two top strings of course.

Option 3) call a manufacturer that does custom work (such as, but not limited to, Stringjoy, Newtone, Pyramid): provide them with measurements (ball-end to nut for the minimum untapered length of the low E; ball-end to E-string tuning post for the maximum untapered length of the same string; ball end to high E post for the minimum for that string).

Since we're at it, could you give us those same measurements? Just to increase the knowledge base of the forum. And if you do try the Ernie Ball set, could you report back if it works for you and how you like it? Thanks.
 
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#6
HaphAsSard said:
Option 1) Try the lowest 6 strings from the Ernie Ball 2628 (9-String Slinky) set:
Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Extended Range Strings | Ernie Ball

I'm afraid I cannot guarantee that the lowest two strings taper where they should (between nut and tuning post) on your 28.5" scale instrument. Reports on the net are invariably from 9-string guitarists, and they never provide exact measurements, just "it does(n't) fit". According to Ernie Ball
[This invalid link has been removed]
at least the 080 from the heavy 8-string set does taper at 31", so the 080 from the 9-string set, and more importantly the 105, may as well.

Option 2) According to a report, the Ibanez IEBS4CMK are quite short. In fact, they may be exactly what you need. You'll have to add two top strings of course.

Option 3) call a manufacturer that does custom work (such as, but not limited to, Stringjoy, Newtone, Pyramid): provide them with measurements (ball-end to nut for the minimum untapered length of the low E; ball-end to E-string tuning post for the maximum untapered length of the same string; ball end to high E post for the minimum for that string).

Since we're at it, could you give us those same measurements? Just to increase the knowledge base of the forum. And if you do try the Ernie Ball set, could you report back if it works for you and how you like it? Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
#7
Scale Length.jpg
It's quite refreshing that someone else has the same problem as me finding a string manufacturer that can supply E-E flats for the Fender Jaguar Baritone. some time ago I managed to buy many sets from PICATO exactly as I wanted them in terms of flats with the following gauges 30-45-50-65-80-95. All was fine but now I'm on my last set I'm stuffed! I love the guitar and feel very let down by the failure of Fender to support it's customers. Any help you could provide in pointing me to a solution in buying strings will be most welcome. I note from the above post that you responded to, you asked for the precise string lengths ball to taper, here is my response.
Low E = 31.75" A = 32.0" D = 33.0" G = 34.0" B = 35.0" E = 35.5"
The really critical length (Ball End to Taper) is the Low E as can be seen from the attached picture.
 
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#9
HaphAsSard said:
Option 1) Try the lowest 6 strings from the Ernie Ball 2628 (9-String Slinky) set:
Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Extended Range Strings | Ernie Ball

I'm afraid I cannot guarantee that the lowest two strings taper where they should (between nut and tuning post) on your 28.5" scale instrument. Reports on the net are invariably from 9-string guitarists, and they never provide exact measurements, just "it does(n't) fit". According to Ernie Ball
[This invalid link has been removed]
at least the 080 from the heavy 8-string set does taper at 31", so the 080 from the 9-string set, and more importantly the 105, may as well.

Option 2) According to a report, the Ibanez IEBS4CMK are quite short. In fact, they may be exactly what you need. You'll have to add two top strings of course.

Option 3) call a manufacturer that does custom work (such as, but not limited to, Stringjoy, Newtone, Pyramid): provide them with measurements (ball-end to nut for the minimum untapered length of the low E; ball-end to E-string tuning post for the maximum untapered length of the same string; ball end to high E post for the minimum for that string).

Since we're at it, could you give us those same measurements? Just to increase the knowledge base of the forum. And if you do try the Ernie Ball set, could you report back if it works for you and how you like it? Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
#11
gingermil said:
Hi, I've posted a reply below if you'd like to add the size dimensions to the data base as you suggested.
Click to expand...
Hi. Thanks for providing measurements as I'd suggested the previous poster. I meant it in an informal sense (there is such a thing as a wiki section of Talkbass, but I've rarely perused it, let alone contributed), as in: everyone who'll bump into this thread looking for strings - or maybe looking into the instrument before buying it - will now find measurements. Thanks again.

In your case - looking for flats - you *may* be in luck: these fellows appear to still have the tailor-made, but discontinued, 767-JAGF set in stock (STICKER SHOCK ALERT!):
La Bella Bass Guitar Strings - Bass VI Deep Talkin' Bass Series

Alternatively, I'd consider an unpretty but efficient workaround: you could get the La Bella set for the Schecter Hellcat VI (HC6-F) knowing they're 33" ball to taper
HC6F für Schecter Hellcat flat
but thread the lowest two through 1" long metal tubes. This would get the ball-ends to sit at a distance from the stopbar, and keep the untapered sections away from the posts at the other end.

Finally, you could try D'Addario short-scale Chromes (ECB81S), and complete the set with two single guitar Chromes (.035 and .026, or a little less for both), available from Strings Direct. The topmost one would only have an inch of exposed core around the post, but it should be enough to secure it.
 
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#12
Landed here due to a different Jag Bari thread by @gingermil - really nice Jag btw! The one I was referring to was the Jag HH Special.

Perhaps this can help someone...

If you want flats, you can build you own set with e.g. Pyramid Gold flats mixing single scale lengths as needed. They are sold individually. Had to do that with an older cheap 1st generation Gretsch G5265 w/ Bigsby tuned to E1-E3 which I wanted flats on.

If the strings have an only slightly too long winding length you can

- Insert the strings on the *neck* side of the stop tail and wrap them over or under the stop tail before going to the bridge.

E.g.:

top-wrap-Untitled.jpg



If the strings are still too long, you can shorten them further by

- Inserting the strings as normal from the *back* side of the stop tail and go around the tail piece once.

In most cases you probably want the strings to leave the stop tail from the bottom not the top, even if you crank the stop tail down on the flat topped Fender, the break angle to the saddles from the top will be more shallow... but some people like that.

If is is still just a tiny bit too long, you can thread one or two old ball ends on the string, do that some times to keep the winding off the tuner peg on basses where it is very close.

-Henry
 
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