I got the Stringjoy part, just thought I saw MK earlier and wanted to confirm what bass you put them on.
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Guitar Scale Acoustic Basses
- Thread starter SBassman
- Start date
I got the Stringjoy part, just thought I saw MK earlier and wanted to confirm what bass you put them on.
SBassman....You might want to check out Kalium Strings! Looks like they have .094 and larger "hybrid guitar" strings.
I’m sure that I should post this elsewhere and I may however, I thought to start here. I have recently made a set of clamp-on ball ends. They use set screws to allow the ball end to be placed anywhere along the length of the string. I made them so that I could use my favorite (TI jazz rounds) strings on my Ibanez Mikro 5 string. They work great and operate on the same principle to the string clamp on a floyd-rose however instead of a string clamp. It’s just a ball-end. They are slightly longer than a standard ball end but have fit every bridge that I have tried them on thus far. Would anyone have an interest in these? If so, I can get some info together. They allow almost any string to be installed on almost any bass.
Final report on the Stringjoys: I can't recommend them for our guitar scale acoustic basses.
While I liked the feel and sound of the A, D, and G, the E just wasn't cutting it. I then tried to write to them encouraging them to create a 94 or 95, and to ideally size a whole set length wise for these instruments, but it's not happening at this time. So, I'm moving on. Taking the strings off.
Another string maker not being awake to a fresh market opportunity clearly demonstrated by all the models and sales of these basses in the last couple of years.
I'm moving onto another set that might be a good match to these basses, but I won't describe at this time until I have actually tried it.
While I liked the feel and sound of the A, D, and G, the E just wasn't cutting it. I then tried to write to them encouraging them to create a 94 or 95, and to ideally size a whole set length wise for these instruments, but it's not happening at this time. So, I'm moving on. Taking the strings off.
Another string maker not being awake to a fresh market opportunity clearly demonstrated by all the models and sales of these basses in the last couple of years.
I'm moving onto another set that might be a good match to these basses, but I won't describe at this time until I have actually tried it.
Really appreciate what you are doing and all of the reports on string tests and options for these basses. It is unfortunate that no manufacturers have stepped up with a more string options. I've kept the stock strings on my PNB14E in the hopes some magic strings will appear.
I'm also a little surprised no one has released something in between a sub short scale and regular short scale. It's a long way from 25" to 30". Maybe 27" or 28" will someday turn out to be the magic length
Really appreciate what you are doing and all of the reports on string tests and options for these basses. It is unfortunate that no manufacturers have stepped up with a more string options. I've kept the stock strings on my PNB14E in the hopes some magic strings will appear.
I'm also a little surprised no one has released something in between a sub short scale and regular short scale. It's a long way from 25" to 30". Maybe 27" or 28" will someday turn out to be the magic length
The Ibanez Mikro Bass is 28.6". It's lots of fun, and a good build, and a great value. I always thought they were missing out by not re-using that Mikro name and marketing a Mikro Acoustic Bass at the same scale. I tried to suggest it to them, but, it's Ibanez, and that was like shouting in the proverbial empty forest.
The Mikro is exactly the bass I was thinking of when I posted. Great little bass that uses standard short scale strings. The neck is a bit thin for me but something in that length in an acoustic would definitely get my attention.
Journey OB660 (carbon fiber, collapsible neck, understandably pricey):I'm also a little surprised no one has released something in between a sub short scale and regular short scale. It's a long way from 25" to 30". Maybe 27" or 28" will someday turn out to be the magic length
Overhead Collapsible Travel Basses | Journey Instruments
Alvarez MSB1 (unfortunately discontinued, pops up at times on Reverb). Here's a one converted into a baritone guitar by Terry's Baris, with detailed measurements (valid for the original platform as well).
Both 27" scale.
Any others, anyone?
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I would love a carbon fiber design. Wouldn't necessarily want that design with the neck coming off, though, and I can't afford Anything at that price, but yeah, carbon fiber. A friend of mine has a couple of different carbon fiber acoustic guitars that are dreams. [He's a doctor so he can afford the carbon fiber. ]
A friend of mine has a couple of different carbon fiber acoustic guitars that are dreams. [He's a doctor so he can afford the carbon fiber. ]
I briefly discussed having a CF Emerald fiver built, but then I went through a divorce...I would love a carbon fiber design. Wouldn't necessarily want that design with the neck coming off, though, and I can't afford Anything at that price, but yeah, carbon fiber.
Here I am at a wedding gig with my Ibby AVN fretless. Just having a bad coffee before the party set!
Anyway, I made a sound hole plug so I could crank it up for louder gigs. So far it has been working a treat.
Ibby>Yamaha desk>RCF PA/wedge. Easy Peasy sounding greasy!
Best thing I’ve ever bought!!!!
Awesome. Thanks for the gig report.
Anyone gigging with one of these should be posting.
Bonus points for audio or video.
Ok, Team Guitar Scale Acoustic Bass, I have a winning alternative.
There is no major innovation here, but - it just plain works.
If you are like me and just don't like the sound and feel of phosphor bronze, this nickel solution works:
Ernie Ball Extra Slinky Bass 95 - 40.
It gives me the extra I needed on the E string. It's very even sounding, and intonation is Perfect on my MK.
Absolutely perfect.
Strings were stable extremely quickly.
Played with them last night and this morning, and they are a keeper.
You will be cutting into the string, but they are very flexible, and they went on with no issue at all.
These will be my strings.
There is no major innovation here, but - it just plain works.
If you are like me and just don't like the sound and feel of phosphor bronze, this nickel solution works:
Ernie Ball Extra Slinky Bass 95 - 40.
It gives me the extra I needed on the E string. It's very even sounding, and intonation is Perfect on my MK.
Absolutely perfect.
Strings were stable extremely quickly.
Played with them last night and this morning, and they are a keeper.
You will be cutting into the string, but they are very flexible, and they went on with no issue at all.
These will be my strings.
How do they sound unplugged and plugged in? How is the feel of the string? I mean SS rounds tend to feel sharp to me, where nickel rounds tend to feel smoother and and have less of a bite.
