The Michael Kelly uses [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. The pinless bridge is an advantage as well.
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Guitar Scale Acoustic Basses
- Thread starter SBassman
- Start date
The Michael Kelly uses [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. The pinless bridge is an advantage as well.
Oh, interesting. So I imagine it sounds more like a conventional ABG. I’m drawn to the warmth of the nylon-core strings, but it seems like the La Bella CB40s work on these, too?
I don't know if there's enough truss rod adjustment to manage the lower tension of the nylon core strings. You could probably use tapewound steel core strings on it, though, if you could find them in the proper length.
We talked about the previous Michael Kelly Sojourn model and its string complement back in this post, but the relevant info would seem to apply to the new Port as well: namely, that the [This invalid link has been removed] mentions stock strings being the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] set as you say; however, a closeup pic of the headstock clearly shows the E string (the A as well? hmm, less clear) tapering down right past the nut.
[This invalid link has been removed]
[Is it the case for your specific bass as well? (Hope you haven't already replaced them with the flats and tossed them in the trash...)]
It would seem MK has D'Addario wind a version of the EXPPBB170S with extrashort E (and perhaps A as said).
Which means one needs to ask MK for replacements whenever needed...
Can you please expand on this?
I broke an E from a CB 40 set and LaBella wouldn’t replace it “because the instrument has a truss rod and puts too much tension on the neck”.
I thought that was a pretty poor excuse but it seems like you are saying the same thing?
What if I removed all tension on the truss rod? Would that then allow the string to work unbroken?
I've emailed them to see if their story has changed from what they told SBassman last year:
"The Sojourn basses are strung at the factory with D'Addario EXPPBB170SS (super short) strings which are made to fit the 24.75" scale. However D'Addario only offers this exact set as OEM stings are not in aftermarket packaging. They do however offer the EXPPBB190GS set for Mini Scale basses which also fits the Sojourn bass."
My plan is to use the LaBella flats they made for the Gold Tone MicroBass. I have a couple of extra sets, but they are getting scarce lately. I have them on my fretless acoustic 25" scale Microbass and I really like them.
Nah, that was bovine fertiliser. No matter what position the truss rod is in, a given string is under a given tension at a given pitch, and for the CB40 on a guitar-scale bass it means -40% of their intended (29.5" scale) tension, rod or no rod.
Lou meant that the truss rod may not have enough adjustment for it to be loosened enough for the softer strings not to buzz against the frets, that's all.
My WAG is you'll be fine in that respect. OTOH, intonation with nylon strings may be slightly flat, because of bridge saddle placement at the factory having been determined with steel-core strings in mind, but it may just be a matter of being a little heavier-handed with the fretting hand to compensate.
Hmm. Tension on the neck has nothing to do with the tension on the strings themselves. String tension is determined by pitch (and scale length).
Now, if you go from steel core strings to nylon, it's a pretty good bet that you'll have to loosen the truss rod some, in order to provide just enough relief to keep the strings from buzzing against the frets. The string tension, however, will remain pretty much the same after you've brought the strings up to pitch (it's a really good idea to loosen the strings before adjusting the truss rod). I generally adjust truss rods only 1/8 to 1/4 turn at time, bringing the strings back up to pitch and rechecking the relief each time. It's also a good idea to recheck the relief a few days later, as adjustments sometimes tend to "settle in" with time (and playing time).
That's exactly what I meant. Thanks for the clarification.
And I agree that he'd probably be fine with that.
That's what I thought. And also why I'm boycotting LaBella. I know I may not make a difference to a company like that, but, whatever, they're not getting any more of my money.
Thanks for the info, gents.
The comments they made regarding the truss rod are nothing short of - nonsense.
I am not buying their strings anymore. I am finding Ernie Ball to be my go to string company these days. Whether you want nickel or phosphor bronze, you can find a set of strings for these basses that is flexible enough to be cut and yields perfect intonation. I have two MKs, and I am now running Slinky 2935 Nickel 95 to 40s and Earthwood 2070 Phosphor Bronze 95-45s side by side. Both sound and feel great, with perfect intonation, and the E's are easily cut without an issue.
I am not buying their strings anymore. I am finding Ernie Ball to be my go to string company these days. Whether you want nickel or phosphor bronze, you can find a set of strings for these basses that is flexible enough to be cut and yields perfect intonation. I have two MKs, and I am now running Slinky 2935 Nickel 95 to 40s and Earthwood 2070 Phosphor Bronze 95-45s side by side. Both sound and feel great, with perfect intonation, and the E's are easily cut without an issue.
Good to know regarding Ernie Ball. Is that a 34" scale set?
I am becoming a GHS fan. Great support, information and their strings deliver. I can't wait to try a Pressurewound Bronze set on my Tacoma Thunderchief.
I still have the old A, D and G from the CB40 set with a new E that I'm meaning to try again. I also have a Savarez set that I can try after that, but it has no ball ends. When the CB40's break, again, I'll use the ball ends from that set.
I also wonder if the strings breaking may be due to the tuners. I wonder if the shaft is too small making the strings bend too sharply. I guess that project needs more information, though.
I expect that you meant something else, and it just came out wrong. However, as written, that’s factually incorrect.
D’Addario discusses this at length in the documentation for their string gauge calculator. There’s even a mathematical formula for it on there.
String tension is actually a function of the mass of the string, scale length, and pitch.
The stock nylon strings on a GSAB generally come in at around 11 lb per string. This is roughly half the amount of pull you’d get from a conventional steel string in a comparable gauge.
Basses that are properly optimized for the lighter nylon strings, have a thinner top and lighter bracing. This is because the nylon strings don’t drive the top as hard.
This is also why Taylor specifically warns against using other string types on the GS Mini. They have no intention of settling warranty claims after someone trashes their bass.
There’s less likelihood of damage going the other way. The Sojourm Port ought to be more than able to handle the lower tension of the nylon strings.
But the numbers are not just going to “come out in the wash” once you adjust the truss rod and bring the new strings up to pitch. Assuming that the truss rod has enough adjustment, aside from the probable impact on intonation, there will be a significant loss of acoustic output.
Thanks for the clarification. HalfAsHard summed up what I was trying to say pretty well, too.
Steve Pianani at Michael Kelly Guitars Support replied to me today:
"Thank you for the message- yes we do have direct replacement bass strings for the travel bass made by D’Addario.
We are planning to post them on the website soon-"
We shall see. I will certainly hang on to the original strings just to be safe.
I put on the CB40 set plus a new E today. The plan is to gently, day by day, stretch them out so the E doesn’t break. We’ll see.
The other thing I’m thinking is that the tuner shaft is too small making a sharp break which causes the fat E string to fail. The A, D and G did not break last time so, if this E breaks, I’ll look into a tuner for the E string that’s got a bigger shaft.
Then I’ll try the Savarez if I can get a tuner.
The other thing I’m thinking is that the tuner shaft is too small making a sharp break which causes the fat E string to fail. The A, D and G did not break last time so, if this E breaks, I’ll look into a tuner for the E string that’s got a bigger shaft.
Then I’ll try the Savarez if I can get a tuner.
I don't think we'll ever see the A, D, and G break - with the CB40s or with any other set of strings. [Unless someone has a sharp nut problem.] It's really only the E that gets to a width where care is required.
I predict I will Never see an E string fail with the Ernie Ball Extra Slinky 2835 95-40s I am using now. That string is well made, well wound, and showing no indication whatsoever that it would ever implode after cutting it.
Plus, those strings come up to stability far, far faster than the CB40s, and I believe they will have a Much longer life.
#happycamper
