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E to E on six strings.

Lackey

Lackey

May 10, 2002
2,821
1,914
Nashville, TN
#1
Anybody done this? Been playing a lot more classical recently and want to mirror the tuning on my 32" scale sixer. Any strings recommended? I've never done the Circle K route but may need to. Also, I need the medium scale E of course... Open to any string type honestly.
 
#2
You might try an S.I.T Conklin Powersteel seven string set.
Cut them short and just use six strings.
Tune the F string down.
20200123_162159.jpg
 
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#4
Lackey said:
Anybody done this? Been playing a lot more classical recently and want to mirror the tuning on my 32" scale sixer. Any strings recommended? I've never done the Circle K route but may need to. Also, I need the medium scale E of course... Open to any string type honestly.
Click to expand...
The *new* (024-034-044-065-080-100) version of the Fender Super 250B6 set seems like an unexpensive starting point. Made for the Fender/Squier Bass VI, so the E string winding length is 35.5", which I guess is correct for some/many medium-scalers (measure your bass, and ascertain if that taper at 35-1/2" would fall between nut and first tuning post).
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...-nickel-plated-steel-bass-vi-electric-strings

Personally, I liked how the "short-scale" (also 35.5" ball-to-silk, ergo medium-scale actually) Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flat low E sounded, on my VI-type thing (short-scale but string-through) next to a sub-set of D'Addario guitar Chromes bought as singles, with a .075 A string. If you can afford it or bump into the odd deal, you could get the T-I JF324 set
Thomastik Infeld Flatwound Nickel Jazz Bass Strings - short scale 43-106 (JF324)
and two single Chromes (something like .032 and .022 should do):
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#5
I’d check in with Jason at Fret Nation.

That’s what I’m doing in my quest for lighter than light strings.

Jason is very helpful at solving the unusual requests. He can and will do custom sets. Free shipping, prompt responses, rewards program, and the site remembers all your orders, because you won’t. My go to string supplier.

Kalium (aka Circle strings) also does custom strings, and when I ordered from them, I did, eventually, get what I ordered. Be prepared to be patient. The strings were very nice.
 
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#6
That Fender set sounds close to what went on the Ibanez SRC6, a shortscale designed specifically in this way. Its strings are 0.024-0.084", and it's a bit more intended as a basso-octave guitar, and of course it's 30". It's ALSO through-body strung, so the strings it uses might be perfect if you're top-loaded 30" with yours.
 
#7
You do not need Kalium, you can do this cheaper and with more choice by using a 4 string set plus a high C (tuned to B) (any length, does not need to be medium scale) plus a tonally-compatible wound .020 or .022 guitar string for E (just thread it through a bass ferrule and slide the bass ferrule up against the guitar ferrule).
If the high E keeps breaking you might need to use a plain steel guitar string as they are much stronger (thin wounds have very thin cores).
 
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#8
ixlramp said:
You do not need Kalium, you can do this cheaper and with more choice by using a 4 string set plus a high C (tuned to B) (any length, does not need to be medium scale) plus a tonally-compatible wound .020 or .022 guitar string for E (just thread it through a bass ferrule and slide the bass ferrule up against the guitar ferrule).
If the high E keeps breaking you might need to use a plain steel guitar string as they are much stronger (thin wounds have very thin cores).
Click to expand...
Sure, although the Kalium set is 18 bucks and I don't have to piece together individual strings. I'll report back when I've got a bass setup soon.
 
#11
ZombiCrow said:
For what it's worth, I ordered some Kaliums for my Bass VI on Jan 14th, received a single email saying Order received, then nothing at all since then, not even replies to my few "Is this order still shipping?" emails. ::SHRUG::
Click to expand...

Yikes... I'm awaiting mine as well. Sounds like Kallium is a good stringmaker but a crap company in all other respects - I've read a lot of reviews.
 
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#12
Kalium are eccentric and can be very slow to deliver, so do not expect anything within 2 weeks, or even 4, they irresponsibly do not warn of this on the site.
I suggest giving them 2 months before asking for a refund, in the meantime try to not panic, a long wait is normal.
 
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