Guitar Scale Acoustic Basses

[OtherLisa]

The Greg Bennett is the Corsair Mini -- you can get one online at Gear4Music (I think it's called?). I have one and like it quite a bit. I also have a Mustang PJ which is my main gigging instrument. You know, "gigs," those things we used to do that involved playing live music in front of an audience? From the Before Time?

ANYway. Happy July 5th!

 

[Pupalei]

I'm standing near a rabbit hole. ... Maybe those strings would be a fun match for - a 3/4 scale cello. Which - is - presto - 25" scale. What do you think?

I think I would really like to see pictures of your new 3/4 scale cello!

 

[SBassman]

I think I would really like to see pictures of your new 3/4 scale cello!

Wll I don’t have one yet. Haven’t quite slipped down the rabbit hole. And the prices are keeping me fairly far away from the hole.

 

[Pupalei]

I was just giving you a nudge, as requested

 

[Tim Skaggs]

Just been reading through looking for info, and I have reached the conclusion the Labella Silverbacks and the Labella CB40’s are essentially the same string. Does anyone have both types installed to confirm?

The question; is there a string like either of them that has a flat ribbon winding? Will such a winding work over a nylon / perlon core or will it separate? I’ve been looking for a synthetic core flat wound and haven’t found anything except a few string sets for uprights that I’m fairly sure won’t work on a mini bass.

 

[tymbrewolf]

Gee haven't tried cb40s but tossed silverbacks. Even sanding the tops once installed, they were still like graters.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Just been reading through looking for info, and I have reached the conclusion the Labella Silverbacks and the Labella CB40’s are essentially the same string.

Big difference in gauges (49/65/90/115 vs. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]). Or did you just mean construction-wise?

The question; is there a string like either of them that has a flat ribbon winding?

The new flats that Kala has Galli make (KA-BASS-4FW):
Kala Flatwound 4-String Set by Gallistrings - Kala Brand Music Co.
Unfortunately, they're too short for GSABs, judging by how they sit on an acoustic/electric UBass:

as well as this post, with a TB member reporting they're ~23" long silk-to-silk (one may eke out a further half inch from having the ball-end top-loaded -if possible- instead of through-holed, but probably not enough to clear the nut on even the 23.5" scale Taylor GS Mini-e Bass).

It would be cool if they made a longer version.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

Big difference in gauges (49/65/90/115 vs. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]). Or did you just mean construction-wise?


The new flats that Kala has Galli make (KA-BASS-4FW):
Kala Flatwound 4-String Set by Gallistrings - Kala Brand Music Co.
Unfortunately, they're too short for GSABs, judging by how they sit on an acoustic/electric UBass:

as well as this post, with a TB member reporting they're ~23" long silk-to-silk (one may eke out a further half inch from having the ball-end top-loaded -if possible- instead of through-holed, but probably not enough to clear the nut on even the 23.5" scale Taylor GS Mini-e Bass).

It would be cool if they made a longer version.

Yes, core and winding the same. I knew there was a fairly significant gauge difference between the two.

The Galli strings might be the thing, bit I have a GT Micro Bass 23” scale. Sounds like they might be too short for that, but I’ll definitely check them out.

 

[tymbrewolf]

This discussion has gone pretty quiet lately. Maybe y'all are like me, on to something else right now. I am enjoying tenor guitar recently. My only acoustic bass, my gt microbass, sits stringless. My eastwood delta resonator tenor makes me wonder if a guitar scale resonator bass wouldn't be fun.

 

[pcake]

i've been looking at strings for 9 string guitar. some are bottom heavy, so the lowest strings could be the right gauges - got tired of going through hundreds and hundreds of single guitar strings, so i emailed jason to see what he suggests.

i'm also contacting stringjoy as they have individual strings that might work -
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[HaphAsSard]

i've been looking at strings for 9 string guitar. some are bottom heavy, so the lowest strings could be the right gauges - got tired of going through hundreds and hundreds of single guitar strings, so i emailed jason to see what he suggests.

In a couple recent posts I was wondering about the Ernie ball 2628 (9-String Slinky) set. The potential problem is, where does the lowest string taper? Reports on the net are invariably from 9-string guitarists, and they never provide exact measurements, just "it does(n't) fit on my guitar". According to Ernie Ball
[This invalid link has been removed]
at least the 080 from the heavy 8-string set (2684) does taper at 31", so the 080 from the 9-string set also may. If so, the 105 could be the same, or slightly shorter.
The problem with these products is that there's no consistency with the class of instruments they're meant to go on, so it's hard for a string manufacturer to decide the right length to accommodate most of them. Just look at the 5/8 solid-body bass segment: Ibanez (or, at least, their instrument design department) planned ahead for both the bridge and the 1st tuner placement of the Mikro in order for it to use "standard" (32" long ball to taper) short-scale strings; the Squier folks designing the Mini P showed less attention to detail with both afterlength areas; and the Ibanez folks who specc'ed the accompanying Mikro bass string set apparently screwed up, big time, by making it so short that it doesn't even clear the nut, as you proved some time ago.
The result is that the Squier Mini has no off-the-shelf string set available...except the Ibanez set, which in turn does however not fit its own intended instrument...

 

[pcake]

In a couple recent posts I was wondering about the Ernie ball 2628 (9-String Slinky) set. The potential problem is, where does the lowest string taper? Reports on the net are invariably from 9-string guitarists, and they never provide exact measurements, just "it does(n't) fit on my guitar". According to Ernie Ball
[This invalid link has been removed]
at least the 080 from the heavy 8-string set (2684) does taper at 31", so the 080 from the 9-string set also may. If so, the 105 could be the same, or slightly shorter.
The problem with these products is that there's no consistency with the class of instruments they're meant to go on, so it's hard for a string manufacturer to decide the right length to accommodate most of them. Just look at the 5/8 solid-body bass segment: Ibanez (or, at least, their instrument design department) planned ahead for both the bridge and the 1st tuner placement of the Mikro to use "standard" (32" long ball to taper) short-scale strings; the Squier folks designing the Mini P showed less attention to detail with both afterlength areas, and the Ibanez folks who specc'ed the accompanying Mikro bass string set apparently screwed up big time, as you proved some time ago.
The result is that the Squier Mini has no off-the-shelf string set available...except the Ibanez set, which in turn does however not fit its own intended instrument...

well, darn - the lowest string should fit just about 28" from ball to taper on the smallguitars.com bass. i recall my husband's last 7 string change the taper wasn't really much, but that string was only maybe a 64, not a 90. jason said he's measure the wind for me, but he thought it was closer to the length of a medium scale bass string.

the world is full of instruments and string manufacturers, though.

the mikro luckily fits d'addario short scale nickel rounds.

 

[skycruiser]

This discussion has gone pretty quiet lately. Maybe y'all are like me, on to something else right now. I am enjoying tenor guitar recently. My only acoustic bass, my gt microbass, sits stringless. My eastwood delta resonator tenor makes me wonder if a guitar scale resonator bass wouldn't be fun.

I'm doing a little project to record a track using each of the 50 built-in drum patterns in my Alesis SR-16. Having fun with it. I'll try to pull out the PNB14E for more of them - I usually use my electric. I'm really a beginner so the project is forcing to try new techniques and be more creative with basslines. Not sure I have achieved that yet since they start to sound similar or at least revolve around some of the same chord patterns. They are probably a bit boring to listen to since they are music only. Singing is not my thing. A link is in my signature. Only up to 7 of 50 so far, but I have 2 or 3 others in development now. I think the most challenging ones will come later as I'm currently avoiding some of the drum tracks I don't like.

 

[bsman]

I've been waiting for @SBassman to review the Black Diamond strings - "Black Diamond Strings for Minibass" - that were discussed a few pages back. Anything new on that front? I was hoping that they'd work on my ibanez AVNB1E (25" scale).

 

[SBassman]

I've been waiting for @SBassman to review the Black Diamond strings - "Black Diamond Strings for Minibass" - that were discussed a few pages back. Anything new on that front? I was hoping that they'd work on my ibanez AVNB1E (25" scale).

I checked in with them many times. They are very nice people, and wanted to help, and every time I check in with them, they say they Still have it in the queue. I think recovery from covid has them too backed up for things like this. Frankly, I filed away the email - meaning, I am assuming it is not happening. I moved on.

Again, they have been very nice the whole way, and I recommend their strings. Really good strings.

 

[bsman]

Just curious - does anybody have a definitive list of what strings would work for these guitar-scale acoustic basses? I see a lot of information in this thread, but after > 70 pages, it might be a lot of work to winkle out all the details. The only strings I know "for sure" will work with my little Ibanez are the EXPBB190GS it shipped with, and I'd be really interested to know what other strings are viable - particularly if there are any flatwound strings that would work...

 

[SBassman]

There are years of dialog at TalkBass about short scale string options.

Anyway, let me quickly try to help.

For sure, LaBella CB40's work. They are not sized with taper properly, but they survive cutting - as long as you don't keep taking them off and putting them back on.
Pros: very nice feel, if you like that feel. Warm. Cons: they tarnish over time. They take a long time to settle - 1 week+.

I personally have used Ernie Ball Phosphor Bronze and Nickel Slinky strings on these basses - in 95s.
They, too, are not sized with taper properly, but they survive cutting.
They went on with perfect intonation.
Some here will say that these basses are not designed for the tension of "regular" strings.
Some here will say that some of these basses are designed to deal with it, and some are not.
At that point, I cease offering input, because I can't state for sure for any particular bass.

I own a pair of Michael Kelly Sojourn basses. They took the "regular" strings fine - over a significant period of time. Your bass' mileage may vary.

I personally found the stock DAddario strings to be the weakest of the bunch. Especially the pitiful G string. At that point, I might as well be playing 6 string guitar.

Some here love the stock strings. Different strokes, different folks.

That's the short of it for me.

 

[bsman]

There are years of dialog at TalkBass about short scale string options.

Anyway, let me quickly try to help.

For sure, LaBella CB40's work. They are not sized with taper properly, but they survive cutting - as long as you don't keep taking them off and putting them back on.
Pros: very nice feel, if you like that feel. Warm. Cons: they tarnish over time. They take a long time to settle - 1 week+.

I personally have used Ernie Ball Phosphor Bronze and Nickel Slinky strings on these basses - in 95s.
They, too, are not sized with taper properly, but they survive cutting.
They went on with perfect intonation.
Some here will say that these basses are not designed for the tension of "regular" strings.
Some here will say that some of these basses are designed to deal with it, and some are not.
At that point, I cease offering input, because I can't state for sure for any particular bass.

I own a pair of Michael Kelly Sojourn basses. They took the "regular" strings fine - over a significant period of time. Your bass' mileage may vary.

I personally found the stock DAddario strings to be the weakest of the bunch. Especially the pitiful G string. At that point, I might as well be playing 6 string guitar.

Some here love the stock strings. Different strokes, different folks.

That's the short of it for me.

Thanks - I really appreciate the input.

 

[pcake]

newtone strings just got back to me - they confirm that their custom strings include custom lengths so we can order whatever length is needed. they ask for the length from ball end to nut. btw, i'm also posting this in the sub short thread.

Custom Bass String Configurator – Newtone Strings

 

[SBassman]

newtone strings just got back to me - they confirm that their custom strings include custom lengths so we can order whatever length is needed. they ask for the length from ball end to nut. btw, i'm also posting this in the sub short thread.

Custom Bass String Configurator – Newtone Strings

Wow. Will be interesting to see if they deliver, and, how long.

You go first.