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25" scale micro basses anyone?

#221
So, I've found in one of the local shops in my town an old Fender flat E string! I blocked at the right length past the nut the outer coil wrapping with some red sewing cotton and Attack superglue; after that, I've cut the string excess and removed the outer metallic flat wrap up to the red cotton. The end result is satisfactory. Even output level from all 4 strings and finally good sustain on the E string. Yes, I know: I've cut the string core too short... but it works anyway... :)

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#223
So my Glarry GW101 came in yesterday. Cool little thing! I think it's going to be just what I was looking for. Can't beat it for $109 including shipping. I don't know how they make any money on these things. It does need work right out of the box though ... setup and shielding, as others have mentioned. The nut is plastic so will replace that for sure. Time will tell about the other hardware and electronics but at first glance all seem to be working just fine. I had a set of D'Addario ECB81S short scale flats on the shelf. Installed them on the Glarry. Sounds good to my ears. Had to enlarge the hole where the string feeds thru the bridge but other than that they fit the bass. Still may purchase the Gold Tone/LaBella MBLS flats for comparison. You guys have really helped with all the good info here. Cheers!
 
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#224
I contacted Glarry about providing replacement strings - they said that they will NOT make their stock strings available to us. :( They won't even sell us the 30" strings that they use on their short scale basses. Poor thinking!

Fortunately, we can get the GoldTones for flats, but they do not sell an equivalent roundwound.

So - if you are considering one, please keep in mind you will have to cut down some longer strings (30"?) in the future, which will affect the sound, as they won't be tuned to the proper tension and wil likely be somewhat floppy. Too bad. Even Ibanez sells replacement strings for their miKro series.
 
#225
Bassamatic said:
I contacted Glarry about providing replacement strings - they said that they will NOT make their stock strings available to us. :( They won't even sell us the 30" strings that they use on their short scale basses. Poor thinking!

Fortunately, we can get the GoldTones for flats, but they do not sell an equivalent roundwound.

So - if you are considering one, please keep in mind you will have to cut down some longer strings (30"?) in the future, which will affect the sound, as they won't be tuned to the proper tension and wil likely be somewhat floppy. Too bad. Even Ibanez sells replacement strings for their miKro series.
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Maybe. But this "correct tension string" to me is only a bubble. I had the occasion to cut at proper length both a Galli nylon black and a Fender flat E string and they both play good and comparable to the rest of the set... I would say: buy a short scale set, tool a bit with the E, to allow ots core to get into the tuner, and the other strings will only need the proper length cut. Amen. My 2c...
 
#226
I have no (1) 25" scale basses currently or (2) experience with these strings, but Ernie Ball makes extended range guitar strings up to .105. The site says they taper at 31", but they only sell the .105 single in a 3 pack. For less than the cost of three .105s, you could buy this 9 string pack and have a couple extra strings to toy around with tenor or piccolo tunings.
 
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#227
Avezzano said:
Maybe. But this "correct tension string" to me is only a bubble. I had the occasion to cut at proper length both a Galli nylon black and a Fender flat E string and they both play good and comparable to the rest of the set... I would say: buy a short scale set, tool a bit with the E, to allow ots core to get into the tuner, and the other strings will only need the proper length cut. Amen. My 2c...
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You have done a similar thing to this, using cotten instead of heat shrink. I have done .132 Chrome flat to fit a Mikro no problem. Sounds great tuned to D1. I still have on a pair of .085 and .065 Dunlop flats shortened from the bridge end using a ball of superglue. Strings sound just the same as when they weren't cut. Interesting mention about using wire lugs with fixing screws or wheel collars with fixing screws to shorten strings ( which is a mechanical way of doing what the ball of glue at end of string is doing) .Cheers DIY: Making Short Scale Strings out of Long Scale Strings
 
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#228
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#231
More likely - it is the actual manufacturer selling directly without a distributor markup. Not a good business practice to undersell your distributors and dealers.

It shows how low the factory cost really must be now that most functions are automated. (Labor is no longer cheap in China). I would expect the factory cost to be around $40 to sell at $69. Incredible. They must make thousands at a time.
 
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#234
I received my $70 Amazon bass (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BB9W44QJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1)

Though the listing says Klaxton, it arrived in a Glary box and says Glary on the headstock. The quality looks decent - especially for the price. There is a small imperfection in the binding, but otherwise no imperfections that I can see. I was hoping it would be pretty good out of the box as others said theirs were, but this one definitely needs a setup. The frets are smaller, but I didn't actually notice at first because they are still very playable. Honestly, I like the neck length and smaller frets - it reminds me of a larger mandolin. I haven't given it much play time yet though because of the setup it badly needs - the high action (bow in the neck) and intonation were too annoying to play. I'll fix those up when I have a chance and give it a real sound test.
 
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#236
NinjaPyrate said:
I received my $70 Amazon bass (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BB9W44QJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1)

Though the listing says Klaxton, it arrived in a Glary box and says Glary on the headstock. The quality looks decent - especially for the price. There is a small imperfection in the binding, but otherwise no imperfections that I can see. I was hoping it would be pretty good out of the box as others said theirs were, but this one definitely needs a setup. The frets are smaller, but I didn't actually notice at first because they are still very playable. Honestly, I like the neck length and smaller frets - it reminds me of a larger mandolin. I haven't given it much play time yet though because of the setup it badly needs - the high action (bow in the neck) and intonation were too annoying to play. I'll fix those up when I have a chance and give it a real sound test.
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Interesting. If the biggest flaw is a binding nit, and it can be set up for good action and intonation, it's the bargain of the century. Getting very tempted to jump in the water, but I don't Need it, and, my wife might kill me. :)
 
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#237
SBassman said:
Interesting. If the biggest flaw is a binding nit, and it can be set up for good action and intonation, it's the bargain of the century. Getting very tempted to jump in the water, but I don't Need it, and, my wife might kill me. :)
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Upon further inspection there are a few little paint imperfections and a tiny bump on the back of the neck, but the neck is straight, the frets are good, and the intonation is good, so $70 is a fantastic deal. The funny thing is changing the strings to flats will cost $50.
 
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#239
If I bought one, I would absolutely treat it as a kit, not a final product.

If it came to me with untwisted neck and frets in the right places, I would solve everything else myself.

Giant bargain. As long as the neck is sound and the frets are in the right places. Everything else can be - pretty easily - improved.
 
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#240
SBassman said:
If I bought one, I would absolutely treat it as a kit, not a final product.

If it came to me with untwisted neck and frets in the right places, I would solve everything else myself.

Giant bargain. As long as the neck is sound and the frets are in the right places. Everything else can be - pretty easily - improved.
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The tuners aren't great, but otherwise I have no complaints.
 
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