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Classical bass guitar

#101
I see La Bella makes a set for 85cm contra bass guitar:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

They’re significantly cheaper than Hannabach, perhaps they won’t sound as good. I like La Bella’s strings and use them on my regular classical guitars. I wonder if they’ll cut those longer for me, I will contact them.
 
#103
ContraGuitar said:
I see La Bella makes a set for 85cm contra bass guitar:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

They’re significantly cheaper than Hannabach, perhaps they won’t sound as good. I like La Bella’s strings and use them on my regular classical guitars. I wonder if they’ll cut those longer for me, I will contact them.
Click to expand...
FYI: La Bella says the CB60 is for 85cm scale, which StringsbyMail T.I Acousticore Strings (JustStrings used to say they're for 75cm scale like the 4-string set - they don't sell either at the moment); however, TB member @Shanannigan reported buying them only to find out they're not long enough for his long-scale 6-stringer:
this post
In case you feel like trying the off-the-shelf set, I suggest you contact Strings by Mail first and ask if they can either open a packet and measure a string, or at least check if "85cm" is printed anywhere on it.

More to your point, La Bella used to offer customisable nylon-core silver-plated sets for one's gauges and scale of choice, up to .08" diameter, about 4-1/2 years ago, as per T.I Acousticore Strings of mine, at [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. So they may still do it if contacted in private.
 
#104
I use La Bella Lute strings, which I buy as singles. They are standard nylon core, silver plated strings. I don't recall the exact measurements, but they fit my Warwick Alien, which is 34".

Invalid Link Removed

I use them for fifths tuning, and they're the only option I've found for customizable gauges at that length. I do wish I could find a bit heavier, they go up to .080, which suffices for a low B (or C in my case) although it's a bit loose, a .090 would probably be best but I haven't been able to find anyone who makes one that heavy and long enough.
 
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#105
Thanks everybody for this information. I will contact La Bella to see about ordering custom lengths and also see what Hannabach comes up with.

90cm is 35.4".

Here is the gauge information from Strings By Mail for the Hannbach 841MT strings. How does this compare to the gauge of the lute strings?

________ 1st ____ 2nd ___ 3rd _____ 4th ____ 5th _____ 6th__
Gauge: E 0.0338 B 0.0354 G 0.0374 D 0.04409 A 0.0539 E 0.0688

That Warwick Alien looks awesome!

Here is a page from Hannabach's website where they talk about producing strings for "special" guitars:

Invalid Link Removed
 
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#106
I used the Hannabach set for a while, tuned E-F (no issues tuning the B and E strings up). From what I recall they are similar to what I use for the lute strings. The only string I have in common in 5ths tuning is the D string, but the other strings are only a note tone up or down from standard tuning.

I use the lute strings for the for bottom strings, for the two top ones I use Seaguar Blue Label fishing line. My current gauges, and estimations for standard tuning are:
B - .029p
E - .036p
A - .034 or .032 (can't recall exactly which currently) For G I would go with .036
D - .044
G - .064 / For an A I would probably go with .060 or .062
C - .080

For an E I would go with a .070
 
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#109
So, I thought I would post a quick update on my playing experience with my contra/bass guitar.

First, I discovered that I can survive two hour sessions with the beast if I get breaks, which, luckily, there always are during my rehearsals.

I’m working on a simple Allegro by Handel and a more difficult Vivaldi Quintet. At the moment we only have four players.

The Vivaldi piece is a tremolo piece. It’s hard to play a fast tremolo on such long strings, it takes forever for them to come back.

Anyway, it’s a blast to play the bass. I’m happy to be playing fewer notes than some of the other players. :-)
 
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#110
So, I've started trying to play the beast with a pick. The sound seems much more focused than with my nails, and louder. Since I play classical guitar with my nails, I'm going to have to get used to playing the contra bass guitar with a pick. I was inspired by Carol Kaye, the "chick with a pick", and so I ordered some of her picks, which are pretty thick. So far, I think I like them but I'll have to keep experimenting. Happy Holidays to all!
 
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#111
I came up with a question for you folks. So, is there an E to E six string electric bass guitar which would help me in learning to play this thing? It's quite tiring to play this contra guitar a lot. I'm wondering if I could work on an electric 30"-35" scale six string based tuned like this guitar. I'd need some sort of little practice amp. Just a thought. Maybe it's not worth the trouble, I don't know.
 
#112
ContraGuitar said:
I came up with a question for you folks. So, is there an E to E six string electric bass guitar which would help me in learning to play this thing? It's quite tiring to play this contra guitar a lot. I'm wondering if I could work on an electric 30"-35" scale six string based tuned like this guitar. I'd need some sort of little practice amp. Just a thought. Maybe it's not worth the trouble, I don't know.
Click to expand...
Sure, it's the "Bass VI" class, after the Fender Bass VI 6 string E-E tuning. Plenty of variations out there now though. I have 3 of them, 2 from Rondo, one from Eastwood.

Edit: here's a video of one in action you might appreciate - Chopin Nocturne:

Ahh, it says: "Tuning is baritone ADGCEA" - but that's the guitar, 30" scale Fender Bass VI.
 
#113
bholder said:
Sure, it's the "Bass VI" class, after the Fender Bass VI 6 string E-E tuning. Plenty of variations out there now though. I have 3 of them, 2 from Rondo, one from Eastwood.

Edit: here's a video of one in action you might appreciate - Chopin Nocturne:

Ahh, it says: "Tuning is baritone ADGCEA" - but that's the guitar, 30" scale Fender Bass VI.
Click to expand...


What about a 34" or 35" scale Bass VI. That would be closer to my current guitar. I see some discontinued models by Hohner, Steve Baily, Peavy, and other manufacturers.

What are some good models?
 
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#114
ContraGuitar said:
What about a 34" or 35" scale Bass VI. That would be closer to my current guitar. I see some discontinued models by Hohner, Steve Baily, Peavy, and other manufacturers.

What are some good models?
Click to expand...
I think if you want to go for the longer scale, you probably just want to get a regular 6 string bass (normally tuned BEADGC) and restring it for EADGBE - I'd check with Kalium strings, bet they can set that up in a jiffy. ;)
 
#116
b/o 402 said:
Best bang for the buck in 6 string 34" scale basses has to be Ibanez SR series.
Inexpensive new - the entry level SR306 goes for $449 - but they are easy to find used too.
Really enjoying this thread!
Click to expand...
I think the Ibby BTBs are still pretty well regarded for 35" too, aren't they? Also a bargain easy to find used.
 
#117
bholder said:
I think the Ibby BTBs are still pretty well regarded for 35" too, aren't they? Also a bargain easy to find used.
Click to expand...

The Ibanez BTB models look really nice. Thanks for the suggestions.

Sigh, I probably should just buckle down and play the beast more. I have once a week rehearsals with a guitar quartet so I have some motivation.

I was all excited to become part of a guitar orchestra but their Baroque program isn’t until next Fall. It sure would be nice to get the music early so I could work on it. At the moment, they’re recording modern pieces and don’t need me.
 
#119
b/o 402 said:
BTB basses are all 35" scale as opposed to 34" on the SR series.
Click to expand...

I'm back to thinking that I should get a 35" Ibanez BTB to practice the 35" scale length and tune it E to E. It must be a new year's gas attack. Still, I think it would help me master that scale length, which is the same as my contra guitar. What do people think?

What about this one?

Ibanez BTB846 - Deep Twilight Low Gloss

The price looks quite reasonable to me when compared to acoustic instruments!

On my contra guitar, the body comes in at the 16th fret, and there are only 19 frets. So, I think I would want an electric that had an opening on the low side to at least the 16th fret. Is there any reason to prefer one or the other from all of these models?

Ibanez 6+ string Bass Guitars | Sweetwater

I thought I would just get one of the Fender Rumble amps, the $500 one, not sure of the model.
 
#120
Hallic said:
Hello,

Im wondering if anyone ever played on a "classical bass guitar". This might need some explaining. Most commonly classical bass guitars are 6 strings and have a scale length of either baritone(Depending on "bass" or "contrabass" model). However these are stringed with "guitar" strings, i mean the strings used for these have a different core/winding ratio, resulting a more guitar-like timbre than true bass timbre.

I know there are 4 string "true" classical bass guitars out there. Just look at this video.



So far i have only located one brand:
Esteve PS75

Other brans like Salvador Cortez and Aria only do the 6 string contrabass guitars(and 7,8, 10 strings guitars.. which i reckon are fun, but ofcourse are not played like a bass)
Click to expand...

I built 2 contra-bass guitars using 880mm scale length. Double-top classical cedar. Played like a cello. The sound is closer to a doublebass than a guitar. Hannabach 841MT4s90 sample sound" http://www.laviolette-guitars.com/141-contrabass.html
 
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