I'm looking to string a 6 string fretted bass in 4ths, low E to high F, with a fairly clear sound. I could buy a Pyramid 7 string stainless set and throw away the low B, or....what? One retailer has GHS Boomer 'High C' 5 strings sets, which I guess are E A D G C, which is fine, but what to use for the high F - any ideas or alternatives please? The exact sound character is less important than a decent sound with consistency across the set, particularly on the C and F.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Low E to High F 6 string set?
- Thread starter Maxra
- Start date
A Harley Benton B-650, a cheap solid 34" scale fretted 6 string. They tell me ditching the B string for an E will cost me a new bridge saddle. I'm not quite sure why that is, I'd guess string size?
I've never encountered any issues at the bridge with a thinner string in a larger notch myself. I'm not familiar with the saddle grooves on the B-650. Are they V or U shaped? Did you know there is a Harley Benton club for all things HB
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/i-own-a-harley-benton-club.1123735/
Last edited:
Do you already own it?
About 35.5" winding length may be enough for some long-scale sixers.
If it turns out to be the case
(read: if the 6-stringer you end up with measures max 35.7" or so from lowest-string ball-end to boardward edge of nut),
a set made for the Fender/Squier bass VI, to wit the Fender Super 250B6, may be all that you need. Inexpensive to boot.
A couple past threads on the same topic:
Can I get production strings to tune a 6 string to EADGBE ?
E to E on six strings. (advice sought for a 32" scale sixer, not a 34", but one of the replies, by @gebass6, mentions a set by S.I.T., the Power Steel "Conklin Signature 7-String", an alternative to the Pyramids; I believe Dean Markley is another manufacturer that offers a 7-string set)
Strings for a 1967 Rickenbaker 4006 six string bass (the query is about a specific, early model, but a pertinent read regardless)
Enter whatever gauge you want for each string.
Stringjoy Custom 6 String Nickel Wound Bass Guitar Strings
Stringjoy Custom 6 String Nickel Wound Bass Guitar Strings
You can also contact them and tell them what bass you’re using and what you’re hoping to accomplish to get their recommendations for which gauges would work best.
And furthermore: a Schaller Strat roller bridge gets you ALMOST 2.25” center to center (if wanting to use a 4-string bass neck / bass format) with only a bit of modification (drill) to accept the big string ball. A nut, some strategically placed tuners & trees, and you can do this on any old FSO for cheap (probably want a P neck…YMMV).
I mentioned the Fender super 250 bass vi 34-100 yesterday in another thread related to E-C tuning on a 32" Ibanez mezzo. They certainly are cheap for U.S customers Strings for a 1967 Rickenbaker 4006 six string bass
The winding length is 35", so if the B-650 measures at least that from back of bridge to tuner side of nut, they may be might go on a 34" scale 6 with 3x3 head stock.
Newtone strings in the U.K sell a revised version of the super 250's by Axiom Axion Custom Works Fender VI set - Newtone Strings
I did all 4ths on guitars for fair bit. No prob tuning B's and E's up to C and F. Sure the same is fine on a bass
Last edited:
Stringjoy will do that, as will Curt Mangan, and a few others. With the high C and F strings in the mix, which are going to be single winding (and probably plain on the F), the highest 2 strings are going to be twangy and bright - more of the "G string problem" than a G string. Given that, matching the sonics across the set will be much better if the rest of the strings are also bright. I'd go either stainless (which Stringjoy doesn't have, but Mangan does) or (my best recommendation) I'd go with Kalium Hybrids (they also have stainless). Kalium has more gauges available than most anyone else - for this kind of thing, they are really your best source.
Stringjoy doesn't make anything smaller than a .025, which is gonna be really tight if tuned up to F - you probably want a .020 or even .018 plain string - Kalium has those (they even have .019's). Mangan has a .020 plain.
One note: Kalium always delivers, but (it may be a result of having so many gauges) they are not always fast. If you order strings from them, it may take a while, but you will love the strings you get. If you order a while before you need them, everything will be OK.
Last edited:
They do deliver quickly - sometimes. You just can’t count on that happening all the time.
+1 to All of this.
I use a .20 from Curt Mangan for my high F’s (2 basses).
Edit: .020! Thanks @micguy for the correction.
Here's the string I purchase: 20 Plain Bass Single String (curtmangan.com)
Last edited:
One ridiculously nitpicky detail - you mean .020" as an F. Normally it won't be an issue, but Kalium makes .20"/.200" strings (and larger), so on their site, you could get those confused and get a string that REALLY will not work for an F.
