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Guitar Scale Acoustic Basses
- Thread starter SBassman
- Start date
I spent some time with the Pahahoes. Enjoyed them for a while, and I eventually moved on. Not stable enough for me, and eventually I just found it too different an experience from metal strings. If you like synthetics, if you haven't checked out Aquila Reds, you should. They are synthetic, but not as rubbery. Much more stable after break in.
Know pahahoes and reds were another gamble... at this scale, pahahoes are made thinner. It is the sausageing and lifting at nut to tune I do not want again. Since d and g are just red thunder guts, still got to contend with that. I do like aquila stability better. What I want are flats with nylon cores but everything is a trade off.
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Meant that pahahoes at longer scale are lower gauges than for ubass scale. I will get rid of at least one ubass and probably keep the microbass for that purpose and see if acoustic guitar length or less basses get more strings available that are smooth and have waffled back and forth between trying reds and buying the pahahoes. For me, I just like the sound and so can deal with the time for them stablize
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Using reds for agl scale would get rid of the zingy-ness of bronze strings, for sure. Plus you probably have a deeper, blooming, boom and bottom end; remnant of the uke-basses. Good on you for experimenting.
I was ok with the zingy, metallic sound. Maybe I don’t hear it due to high frequency hearing loss.
I was ok with the zingy, metallic sound. Maybe I don’t hear it due to high frequency hearing loss.
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I have a story about possible high frequency hearing loss. It's pretty much OT for this thread and forum, but I'll tell it anyway.
When I got "older", I became very sensitive to high frequencies. They bothered me. Specifically, the high frequencies coming off a drum kit - snare, cymbals. I'm a drummer, and I became a drummer who hated the sound of drums.
So, I would always be looking for the best, latest muffling and plugs options. I have a variety of things I use. Very often I use full isolation headphones, and I adjust them on my ears to only hear a tiny bit of the drums. Last year, I finally found a great plug for drumming - Vibes plugs.
Anyway, I use the Vibes plugs frequently. Yesterday, at rehearsal, in the middle of the session, I started playing a song, and noted to myself - what's different? Why do the drums sound so good? Well, it was because I forgot to put my plugs back in.
I have to wonder now if that experience is driven by - high frequency hearing loss. I think it is time for an ear/audio check up. [Easy for me to set up - I work for the biggest ENT practice in the U.S.
]Wow. You’d think loud percussion would create a hf hearing loss. Mostly men get it because they are more likely to be around loud machinery, engines, weapons fire, and “loud music.” My wife, however, has lf loss, from ear infections. We are together very needed if we want to hear more of the audio spectrum.
Thus, when inside, she can’t hear thumps of car doors, fireworks, and other noises outside of the house. I do. But I can’t hear the bird chirps, squeals, and other high frequencies.
I can hear to up to 2Khz in my right ear, and 5Khz in my left.
Thus, when inside, she can’t hear thumps of car doors, fireworks, and other noises outside of the house. I do. But I can’t hear the bird chirps, squeals, and other high frequencies.
I can hear to up to 2Khz in my right ear, and 5Khz in my left.
Hi
I’m interested in the Ibanez PNB14E and wondered if anyone had thought of putting the lighter La Bella BG10s on and going for a 4 string baritone type tuning?
The guages would be 60, 44, 34 and 29 to tune an octave down from ‘Irish tenor tuning’ CGDA in fifths. In theory it should work, but it might slosh around a bit in the nut.
The effect I’m after is an acoustic version of one of these : Warren Ellis Tenor Baritone 2P
I’m tempted to try it, but let me know if this is obviously madness, or if there is an easier way of getting something in that range for some folk music I’m playing.
Thoughts?
Ryan
I’m interested in the Ibanez PNB14E and wondered if anyone had thought of putting the lighter La Bella BG10s on and going for a 4 string baritone type tuning?
The guages would be 60, 44, 34 and 29 to tune an octave down from ‘Irish tenor tuning’ CGDA in fifths. In theory it should work, but it might slosh around a bit in the nut.
The effect I’m after is an acoustic version of one of these : Warren Ellis Tenor Baritone 2P
I’m tempted to try it, but let me know if this is obviously madness, or if there is an easier way of getting something in that range for some folk music I’m playing.
Thoughts?
Ryan
I hear you on that one.
I live in a sleepy college town, a three to four hour drive from any big-city opportunities.
OTOH, shopping on the basis of specifications has almost never, ever worked out for me.
This actually protects me from impulsive, GAS-driven purchases. When I get really serious about something, It forces me to nut up and commit to a long drive and an all-day or overnight visit...
Those gauges ought to work, and the tension should be no problem.
I’m curious: any samples of the sort of music you are playing?
Hi guys - new member here. I have a couple of questions about purchasing an acoustic bass. My background - played electric bass a little in high school (messing around with garage band) and about 20 year ago purchased a Martin B-1 which I hung onto for about 5 years when I sold it to move on to other hobbies (still kicking myself about that). Looking to start playing again and want an acoustic to keep the "getting started" cost down.
I'm in a metro area with access to 5 or 6 guitar stores, so I'm able to test out a variety of basses and even multiple of the same model. I really like the sound and feel of the short scale bases and these are the ones on my list (in this order or preference):
- Ibanez PNB14E (I would love to try the AVNB1E but can't find one locally)
- Guild Jumbo Junior (great feel and sound but twice the cost of the Ibanez)
- Gold Tone Microbass (love this guitar but too quiet and don't have access to one with the Silverback strings)
- Taylor GS Mini-e (too expensive and the scale feels too short)
The Ibanez will probably win out because of the price - such a great value.
Here are my questions:
I've played 3 or 4 of the Ibanez basses and notice significant differences in the sound and feel. I think this is due to the condition of the strings, but I'm not sure. How do you go about judging the sound/quality of a guitar when you have to play display-model strings? Should I choose the one that looks best knowing that a new set of strings will make them all sound the same? Or pick one that sounds/feels best when played in the store?
And related questions: Should I choose the model based on playing the floor instrument but then find a "new" one in stock so that I can get one with a fresh set of strings? A $30 set of strings is ~10% the cost of the guitar. Is it too risky to buy unseen when you have the option to pick a floor instrument? Or are they all pretty much the same, and buying a floor model is basically throwing away $30? I can see that some of these strings have visible wear, discoloration and in some cases oxidation.
Thanks for any advice!
I'm in a metro area with access to 5 or 6 guitar stores, so I'm able to test out a variety of basses and even multiple of the same model. I really like the sound and feel of the short scale bases and these are the ones on my list (in this order or preference):
- Ibanez PNB14E (I would love to try the AVNB1E but can't find one locally)
- Guild Jumbo Junior (great feel and sound but twice the cost of the Ibanez)
- Gold Tone Microbass (love this guitar but too quiet and don't have access to one with the Silverback strings)
- Taylor GS Mini-e (too expensive and the scale feels too short)
The Ibanez will probably win out because of the price - such a great value.
Here are my questions:
I've played 3 or 4 of the Ibanez basses and notice significant differences in the sound and feel. I think this is due to the condition of the strings, but I'm not sure. How do you go about judging the sound/quality of a guitar when you have to play display-model strings? Should I choose the one that looks best knowing that a new set of strings will make them all sound the same? Or pick one that sounds/feels best when played in the store?
And related questions: Should I choose the model based on playing the floor instrument but then find a "new" one in stock so that I can get one with a fresh set of strings? A $30 set of strings is ~10% the cost of the guitar. Is it too risky to buy unseen when you have the option to pick a floor instrument? Or are they all pretty much the same, and buying a floor model is basically throwing away $30? I can see that some of these strings have visible wear, discoloration and in some cases oxidation.
Thanks for any advice!
You might try asking the dealer to replace the strings on the display one you like... because of the cost, they may be hesitant but I always do that when buying a guitar... it’s worth a try.
I could not get a PNB14E in my area so ordered a brand new one online. It arrived with the strings in much the same condition as you have described. Based on that, if I were able to try out a bunch and one sounded better than the other I would buy that one.
While my strings don't look pretty, I have used the bass as is for several months, lots of practice and numerous gigs with no issues. If anything the strings sound better as they have aged.
While my strings don't look pretty, I have used the bass as is for several months, lots of practice and numerous gigs with no issues. If anything the strings sound better as they have aged.
Thanks MakoMan and revroy. These are good suggestions. I've been reading a lot about the various strings available for short-scale acoustic basses so I'll likely experiment with them anyway. Picking up one that sounds good in the store may be a good approach in that case.
Speaking of which I've still been playing with the M L2 100 GHS pressure wound string e string and thunder guts on the rest of them. It is too stiff for proper intonation. If you don't mind rounds silverbacks are great
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I know it's probably in here, but does anyone have a clear cut answer about the Gold Tone Silverbacks working with the Ibanez set of guitar scale acoustic bases?
This is interesting. I was under the impression that the opposite was true - that the Microbasses could be damaged by using strings not specifically design for them, or that the Microbass isn't compatible with typical short-scale acoustic bass strings. I'll have to look into this. I really don't like the way the thunderguts play on the demo model I have access too. My fingers stick to them and I can't get a good bend. Also no volume played unplugged (which I plan to be for awhile).
EDIT: I meant to quote your previous post - not sure how to edit the quote.
You can use labella flats with them. Unless you or goldtone move the bridge back by cutting a wider slot in the saddle and using shims in front intonation is thrown off thereby the reason for the suggestion to only use them on fretless. I am just experimenting with some other stings unlikely to unravel if cut without being factory finished for these shortys. Also, I am using on a 23" so some of my experiences will be slightly different than the 25 mbass.
