Gold Tone MicroBass Talk

[JES]

I played a 25” Gold Tone today and was quite impressed. I’m wondering if there is a lot of variance from instrument to instrument, and what kinds of cases work for them. And how is the intonation on the fretless higher on the neck? Also, has anyone tried Eucerin as a lubricant with the stock strings? I have a hand condition and use it constantly anyway.

 

[chicoLow]

Have not tried Eucerin but it looks like a skin cream. If it's oily it will probably work. I use olive oil - a little on a paper towel and wipe the strings and get my finger tips wet. Re-oil about every 15-30 minutes of playing. Tried going dry with baby powder. It works but I don't like the mess it makes. About once a month or so I clean the strings with an alcohol swab (change the oil).

Mine is a 23" fretless. Up the neck I don't pay much attention to the fret marks so can't comment on intonation. Still sounds good.

 

[yaksonator]

Im having a hard time with intonation on my ME 23 fretted bass. I bought the labella flatwounds and they sound and feel great but the E string is almost a full step out of tune when fretted. The strings are pretty loose at the nut compared to the rubber strings. Any suggestions? Bad string? Bridge issues?

 

[HaphAsSard]

Im having a hard time with intonation on my ME 23 fretted bass. I bought the labella flatwounds and they sound and feel great but the E string is almost a full step out of tune when fretted. The strings are pretty loose at the nut compared to the rubber strings. Any suggestions? Bad string? Bridge issues?

Wait, has the bridge run out of adjustment or have you not adjusted it at all?

 

[liquidate]

Can anyone recommend a replacement gigbag for the 25" microbass? The zippers on the stock bag have come apart and I'd rather not lug around the hard case on a daily basis. Thanks!

I guess I should have specified that I'm looking for something compact and waterproof. I'm living in a college dorm and will be carrying this to classes, so space is at a premium.

 

[Mike Melgren]

Anyone ever try the "Thunderblack" strings on Gold Tone's website?

MicroBass Thunderblack Rubber/Polymer Strings | Gold Tone Folk Instruments (goldtonemusicgroup.com)

I'm patiently awaiting a 25" Acoustic Micro Bass. I have skimmed through most of these posts, and didn't see anyone mention these strings.

I'm wondering if theyare just a black version of the thundergut strings, or are they play/sound more like the paehoehoe strings on a U-bass?

I could always just message Gold Tone, but thought I would post here to see if anyone has tried these out.

 

[KohanMike]

Anyone ever try the "Thunderblack" strings on Gold Tone's website? I'm patiently awaiting a 25" Acoustic Micro Bass. I have skimmed through most of these posts, and didn't see anyone mention these strings. I'm wondering if theyare just a black version of the thundergut strings, or are they play/sound more like the paehoehoe strings on a U-bass?I could always just message Gold Tone, but thought I would post here to see if anyone has tried these out.

Aquila just came out with a new formula black and added brown as well. Supposed to be smoother and more stable. Aquila sent me a set to evaluate, but haven't tried them yet. I used Pahoehoe on my Gold Tone 23" because they were much smoother than the original Aquila Thundergut, but found that in humid conditions, even those got sticky, so I recently replaced all my poly strings with Kala/Galli flatwound nylon core.

 

[Mike Melgren]

Aquila just came out with a new formula black and added brown as well. Supposed to be smoother and more stable. Aquila sent me a set to evaluate, but haven't tried them yet. I used Pahoehoe on my Gold Tone 23" because they were much smoother than the original Aquila Thundergut, but found that in humid conditions, even those got sticky, so I recently replaced all my poly strings with Kala/Galli flatwound nylon core.

I had about the same line of thought as you. Try the thunderguts, but if too sticky then maybe try pahoehoe...

Those kala flatwounds look promising, but would they fit on a 25 inch scale?

 

[KohanMike]

Those Kala flatwounds look promising, but would they fit on a 25 inch scale?

They make a set for 23" scale, which has a fairly long silk tuner end, but not sure if they would reach 25". It might be worth contacting Galli and see if they have custom orders. I did that with Pyramid for 24" solid flat wounds.

 

[Mike Melgren]

OK, I already sent them a message. Their site mentions custom orders for different scales.

How long does a set of those strings last you? I'm guessing longer than the poly strings?

Thanks for the info

 

[Tim Skaggs]

OK, I already sent them a message. Their site mentions custom orders for different scales.

How long does a set of those strings last you? I'm guessing longer than the poly strings?

Thanks for the info

I don’t know what bass you are putting them on. I was going to try the Kala flats and when I got to the site, it said “not recommended” for my fretted 23” scale Gold Tone MBass. After a couple emails, I found out the reason was the intonation would be off very badly. That made sense why the strings were OK to use on a fretless….

Edit: It was actually the LaBella flats I was going to try that were not recommended for a 23” scale fretted bass. I don’t know if the Kala flats would work, unless they are made by LaBella.

 

[Mike Melgren]

I don’t know what bass you are putting them on. I was going to try the Kala flats and when I got to the site, it said “not recommended” for my fretted 23” scale Gold Tone MBass. After a couple emails, I found out the reason was the intonation would be off very badly. That made sense why the strings were OK to use on a fretless….

GT M-Bass 25" Fretted ... so that is too bad about the intonation. I would have guessed the longer scale and non poly strings might be better for intonation so that's good to know, appreciate the info.

Thanks

 

[Mike Melgren]

I just noticed your edit. Yes I seen that the LaBella flatwounds are only suggested for the ME bass, and M fretless. I think, the website mentions intonation issues on fretted acoustic 23 or 25.

here is the link to the strings on Kala's website

I will wait to see what Galli says about getting the nylon core flatwounds for 25" scale, might be expensive for a custom scale length, but I'm hoping they would last for quite a while.

 

[KohanMike]

I've been using both the Kala/Galli and Gold Tone/La Bella MBLS strings on a variety of my bass ukes/mini bass guitars and the intonation is not too bad. I find they last a long time, though I rotate between 20 basses regularly.

 

[yaksonator]

Wait, has the bridge run out of adjustment or have you not adjusted it at all?

I just saw this…. The bridge did run out of adjustment. I tried everything. I went back to the factory strings. Disappointed.

 

[KohanMike]

After being reminded by Mike Melgren, I once posted that on the Kala/Galli 23" scale flatwound nylon core, "From ball end to silk is 24.5 inches, but the silk wraps past the thin part of the string onto the main thickness, so from ball end to the thin part is 26.5 inches." I've cut back the silk, I'm sure they will then fit 25" scale.

 

[Mike Melgren]

After being reminded by Mike Melgren, I once posted that on the Kala/Galli 23" scale flatwound nylon core, "From ball end to silk is 24.5 inches, but the silk wraps past the thin part of the string onto the main thickness, so from ball end to the thin part is 26.5 inches." I've cut back the silk, I'm sure they will then fit 25" scale.

Great that is good news. Also I noticed on Kala's website they recommend a new nut when switching to the flatwounds? (for ubass anyways)

Do you expect I would have to either modify or replace the nut? or any changes to bridge/truss rod with increased tension?

I know with silverback strings they say to round the saddle so the wrapped string doesn't bend sharply on the hard edge.

Anyways I think I will try getting some of the Galli 23" nylon core flat wound strings, and see how they work for 25" Micro Bass, I can post my findings here when done.

Thanks for all the help @KohanMike

 

[HaphAsSard]

I don’t know if the Kala flats would work, unless they are made by LaBella.

They're made by Neapolitan company Galli Strings, and they are nylon-core as opposed to steel.

I would have guessed the longer scale and non poly strings might be better for intonation

The steel construction makes them stiffer, which is the essential factor in intonation. Even the Galli/Kala ones, having a steel ribbon over a nylon core, are reportedly stiffer (if not by much) than pollies.

I just saw this…. The bridge did run out of adjustment. I tried everything. I went back to the factory strings. Disappointed.

Dang. Bummer. Could they have positioned the bridge a tad off, so that it works alright with poly strings but has not enough margin (even though it is supposed to) for the La Bella flats?
Anyway, I'd consider the Galli/Kala flats Mike and the others are discussing (Ka-BASS-4FW, 23" version, as sold by StringsByMail), if I were you.

After being reminded by Mike Melgren, I once posted that on the Kala/Galli 23" scale flatwound nylon core, "From ball end to silk is 24.5 inches, but the silk wraps past the thin part of the string onto the main thickness, so from ball end to the thin part is 26.5 inches." I've cut back the silk, I'm sure they will then fit 25" scale.

Thank you as always.
One question: did you reach out to Pyramid to get those custom-length flatwounds because you were tired of adapting (tubes, through-body) the La Bellas to your preferred, shorter scale length, of for some other reason? By the way: are the Pyramids steel-core or nylon?

 

[KohanMike]

Great that is good news. Also I noticed on Kala's website they recommend a new nut when switching to the flatwounds? (for ubass anyways) Do you expect I would have to either modify or replace the nut? or any changes to bridge/truss rod with increased tension? I know with silverback strings they say to round the saddle so the wrapped string doesn't bend sharply on the hard edge. Anyways I think I will try getting some of the Galli 23" nylon core flat wound strings, and see how they work for 25" Micro Bass, I can post my findings here when done. Thanks for all the help @KohanMike

I think it's a good idea to do some kind of setup when changing strings. Sometimes I've changed nuts, sometimes not, and it seems to have work for me, but to each to his own.

 

[Mike Melgren]

I have my MicroBass 25 now and got the galli flatwounds. They do seem to fit but its very close. The narrower part of the string wasn't past the nut until I started tensioning the string. But after peeling back the silk there is about 0.5" past the nut.

Only trouble, my G string came apart and unwound. I'm not sure if it was just a defective string, or do you think the longer scale would require that much more tension and it maybe can't handle it?