It was (is) the first version of the Kingman, and it is indeed standard/long scale. I don't have any short-scale basses, so I'll have to defer to those with more experience putting strings on that type.
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Fender Kingman w/nylons
- Thread starter mrbassdan
- Start date
I try to stick with short scale offerings on my Kingman V2. Currently wearing D'Addario Bass Guitar Strings, Tapewound Black Nylon, ETB92S, Short Scale, Medium Gauge 50-105.
I chose these because I like flats, but was afraid the extra tension would be too much for the acoustic top.
I chose these because I like flats, but was afraid the extra tension would be too much for the acoustic top.
Don't confuse "tension" as in pulling weight and "tension" as in stiffness/flexibility. Flats in general are stiffer in feel than tapewounds, but there are plenty of options for flats with lighter tension (as in pulling weight) that are not too heavy for the acoustic top.
In my case, I dropped 41.73 pounds (from D'Addario chromes to D'Addario tapes, both SS). I figured I could search for some low tension flats, but I wanted to try the tapes, and they sorta pushed me into a black-out motif.
Actually those black tapes do look sharp on that bass. No need to change anything.In my case, I dropped 41.73 pounds (from D'Addario chromes to D'Addario tapes, both SS). I figured I could search for some low tension flats, but I wanted to try the tapes, and they sorta pushed me into a black-out motif.
Thanks!Actually those black tapes do look sharp on that bass. No need to change anything.
I custom made and replaced the nut and bridge saddle with Black Tusq XL. Other black items are the Hipshot tuners, black string tree, and the plastic bridge pins. I tried to see if Fender would sell me a black pickguard from the current burst Kingman, but they balked. Guess I got the wrong guy... might try again.
Were you able to just use those with the Kingman right out of the package? Or did you need to do anything to the Kingman to get them to work?
I made a custom nut and bridge saddle to get the Kingman playing how I wanted it. (lowered the action a bit) I adjust my truss rods seasonally, as I live in a place with dry winters and humid summers. I can't remember if the new nut was necessary. The difference in string sizes is only .005 difference, so you might be OK "out of the box". Check your neck relief to see if you need to adjust the truss rod.
So I emailed La Bella Strings and gave them the measurements on the Kingman V2. This was the reply:
Thanks for the info. In that case, a short scale set would fit. The tape wound might be too thick for your bass (double check the gauges against the bridge holes and nut):
So I guess either the these, or the D'Addario Tapewound Black Nylon, ETB92S, Short Scale.
Thanks for the info. In that case, a short scale set would fit. The tape wound might be too thick for your bass (double check the gauges against the bridge holes and nut):
So I guess either the these, or the D'Addario Tapewound Black Nylon, ETB92S, Short Scale.
I have a Kingman and still can't find the ideal strings for me. Thinking to give Black Beauties a go. Which guage/length did you buy?
See Queue on this thread. Jan,16 2025. D'Addario Tapewound Shortscale Medium Guage 50-105. I purchased these. They fit perfectly. Feel and sound really nicely.
Ah thanks, I see that now. I've tried tapewound on it and liked the feel and noise reduction when playing fully acoustically but the Fender 58 - 110s I used are too thick and don't sit in the nut or on the bridge holes properly. Lighter guage is probably the logical answer for me. Thanks again 
