Guitar Scale Acoustic Basses

[SBassman]

None. In fact, I'm only aware of them thanks to as I suspected by @Oscar Stern.


I do now, this time thanks to the Warwick European online shop, of all operations:
Gauges are .039p* - .031w - .039w - .046 - .057 - .076

*
[plain bionylon]

In other words, they're (AFAIK)** the thinnest of the tune-your-classical-down-an-octave bunch listed in that post of mine
(their proprietary core material being probably denser than regular nylon, which may account for the difference).

**
[Gauges for the Frank 'n' Strings/Villela Lower Octave Strings are undisclosed and unknown to me;
those for the Savarez LOW640R are 028-032-038-050-067-086, per the company;
those for the Magma Transpositor GCT-E, to wit: 027-033-040-052-066-095, were kindly provided by a reviewer on Amazon);
Guitar Scale Acoustic Basses, the lowest four appear to be the same - only seeming discrepancy being the A string gauge, 063 v 066 - as those in the elusive, 5-string BEADG-tuning Magma BT-5 set, made for their Transpositor Bass.]

Old post, but I thought I'd mention that I am now experimenting with the Aquila Low E set on a classical guitar.
Dialog being collected here:

Thread '6 String Guitar Scale Classical Bass'

May 11, 2026

I was super active in the subshort and guitar scale acoustic bass dialog in the past.
I created a couple of big threads on the subject.

I am just returning to bass and TB after a bit of an absence.
I never knew until this week that there actually have been classical guitar strings for Low E tuning at 25.6" scale.
Had I known, I would have been all over it already. Those of us looking for string options for guitar scale acoustic basses could have checked them out.
I had no idea they were out there.
I doubt lots dwelling in the GSAB universe know they exist.

There are a couple of...

• SBassman
• Replies: 27
• Forum: Strings [BG]

• 

 

[SBassman]

Pointer to dialog on results of creating a guitar scale acoustic bass using - Aquila Low E strings + a Wishmade AE 6 string.
Don't you think a 4 string version of this would make an ultimate stage guitar scale acoustic bass?

Post in thread '6 String Guitar Scale Classical Bass'

May 23, 2026

These Aquila Low E strings on this guitar are just astounding. I have never heard stronger, purer fundamentals out of bass strings.

I'm having a ton of fun playing this Wishmade AE classical with these Low E strings. My only problem is getting my brain to calibrate to the string spacing.
That should kick in soon.

Wouldn't you think a 4 string version of this combination would be an ultimate guitar scale acoustic bass / mini bass solution?
Especially for - live play / the stage.

What do you think?

• SBassman

 

[SBassman]

Wanted to post a pic.
6 string bass, 25.6" scale, using beautiful Wishmade classical AE chambered body and Aquila Low E 143C strings.

 

[SBassman]

Pointer to new thread seeking input on a new AE bass design.

Thread 'Help Design an Acoustic Electric Bass'

May 27, 2026

I recently explored Aquila Low E tuning classical strings combined with a chambered acoustic-electric classical 6 string by Wishmade. The details are in the linked thread.

I found the tone to be astounding. The fundamentals of the lower strings are so strong and tight. I was active in the sub-short and guitar scale acoustic bass threads here. I started them many years ago, and we had lots of people participating. I mentioned the strings in those threads because I think the sub-short/guitar scale bass enthusiasts here probably don't know about those strings and would be very...

• SBassman
• Replies: 14
• Forum: Basses [BG]

• 

 

[SBassman]

Anything new going on in the GSAB space?
Any new models emerge? I haven't found any.

 

[Wannabebass]

Anything new going on in the GSAB space?
Any new models emerge? I haven't found any.

Would love to hear some sound samples of your wish made bass.

 

[SBassman]

Yeah, I never got around to that.

So, my final conclusions on the 6 string guitar scale bass using that Wishmade classical: I loved the strong, tight tone. However, I thought I could get used to the string spacing, and, that eludes me. I have too much muscle memory at more typical bass string spacing.

 

[SBassman]

Galli UXB810 Black Nylon Tapewound Ukulele Bass Strings - 23" scale​

There are a bunch of references to these strings on TB, but it is hard to get a pulse on if people like them.
If you have tried them, can you offer your opinion?

Anyone try them on a Cordoba Mini? Aren't the gauges of these strings too much for a guitar scale acoustic bass designed for the DAddario Phosphor Bronze strings?

 

[SBassman]

Guitar Scale Acoustic Basses - How about a 23" scale Mini Double Bass?

Double Bass Post in thread 'Cello as a Mini-Bass / Cello in 4ths'

Aug 15, 2026

So, I have now successfully taken a 200 dollar cello and tuned it to standard E1 bass tuning - using DAddario jazz flatwound guitar strings.

No, it does not have lots of volume. Neither do many acoustic basses. But, it has very good, quiet tone, while giving me stable tuning at E1.

This is on a 3/4, so we are talking 23" scale guitar scale bass - mini double bass.

Next step is a decent pickup, but I will need to wait on that. [post retirement - discretionary spending no longer a given. ]

If it goes well after the pickup, I will probably create a separate thread just...

• SBassman

•