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Kalium Strings on my Dingwall

Xxyion

Xxyion

Guest
May 10, 2012
30
0
#1
Hey guys, so i'm making the jump to Kalium Strings. Now i have two Dingwalls, one NG-2 that i literally got a few days ago. Now i know what i'm asking might be blasphemy but....i DONT KNOW HOW TO SHOP FOR STRINGS FOR A MULTISCALE BASS!!!

Now i know the NG-2 comes with Kalium strings so it sounds great. However i now want my ABZ-5 to have them.

If someone could give me some tips or even the scale lengths that would be awesome.

I generally like thinner strings. and i'm going to be going with the Stainless Steel. You are also going to ask how i changed my strings on the ABZ....well i havnt...not in 2 years. And i need to. I know...i'm a noob.

Thanks =D
 
#2
You basically just need to know the minimum winding length required. Measure ball end to nut.

Usually the lowest string is most important.

Most Dingwal require at least a 38.5" winding length. As long as you have a set with a B string that long you are fine.

I have a listing on my site of lengths by manufacturer.

Some brands with silk may end up having the higher strings with the wound part of the string on the tuning post which is OK as the strings are usually very thin.

However something to keep in mind... "Balanced" tension sets are figured going on single scale instruments, putting them on a multi scale will defeat the purpose. You can figure balanced tension for a multiple scale instrument but they are not the same.
 
#4
Unless you specifically asked for a custom tuning with Kalium strings, your NG2 would have been strung with Dingwall nickels.

If you had your bass set up for an alternate tuning with Kaliums, I posted a PDF on the Dingwall thread a couple if weeks ago with Kalium gauges for alternate tunings. There are only length specs for the heavier gauges. In which case choose medium scale 36-37"
 
#5
Thank you so much. Now a second question. I'm trying to purchase strings from Kalium now...i have a question on how they name their strings. I see 4 options for lets say my .130 gauge string. The code on the end is 4BS 5 BS 6BS and 7BS. Can i be safe to assume this means 4-string, 5-string, and so forth? If so...whats the difference. Thanks again in advance!
 
#6
I'm afraid I can't help with that one. I've only ever ordered singles. My guess is BS stands for Balanced Set which I believe is Kalium's term for sets designed for parallel fret bases. IIRC they call their sets designed for Fanned-fret basses Traditional Sets because they follow traditional gauge graduations and let the Fanned-frets (multi-scale) balance out the tension.
 
#11
Great. Thanks for the very informative link. I see that there is a second step to the taper that is 0.375 long. On the standard-length strings, that ends at 37.125". Will it be a problem if this second taper wraps onto my tuner, since my ball-to-tuner distance is 37.0"?
 
#12
skeeler said:
Great. Thanks for the very informative link. I see that there is a second step to the taper that is 0.375 long. On the standard-length strings, that ends at 37.125". Will it be a problem if this second taper wraps onto my tuner, since my ball-to-tuner distance is 37.0"?
Click to expand...

That I don't know, but I think as long as the outer wrap is not going around your posts you should be fine.
 
#14
For those who might find this thread later, I heard back from Darren Michaels at Kalium. He pointed me to the same link as mmbongo, which can be reached by clicking on "Tension Calculator" at the bottom of most Kalium pages. I asked him my question about the 0.375-inch secondary taper. He said this:

The second wrap should not cause a problem wrapping around the post. You just don't want the third wrap around the post because that will snap the string. If you want to avoid the second wrap around the post, you can use a ferrule or washers installed on the string before you run the string through the bridge. Many of our shorter scale bass user have success with that method.​

I ordered a set and will see how they work.
 

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