Medium scale Acoustic strings

[Bassplyr74]

Hey all!

First post on talkbass, long time lurker however. I've got an old Korean made Fender acoustic bass, 32 scale and i'm having a helluva time trying to find replacement strings for it. I've been using these cheap Fender strings that work fine, but i'd like to try something else. I've searched high and low and can't find anything really. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[michael_t]

First post on talkbass, long time lurker however. I've got an old Korean made Fender acoustic bass, 32 scale and i'm having a helluva time trying to find replacement strings for it. I've been using these cheap Fender strings that work fine, but i'd like to try something else. I've searched high and low and can't find anything really. Does anyone have any suggestions?

First thing first... Can you provide a couple of measurements? 1) The distance on your bass from where the ball end is anchored to the tuner side of the nut (= minimum winding length required), and 2) The distance from where the ball end is anchored to the E tuner post (= maximum winding length, ideally).

Once we have those measurements, we'll be able to make recommendations based on the "winding length" your bass requires for a proper fit.

 

[Bassplyr74]

Thanks for your reply and please pardon my ignorance here, i believe what you're referring to is..

from Ball End to Nut is 31.25 while the distance from Ball End to the center of the E string tuning post is 34.

I hope that's what's needed. Thank you again

 

[michael_t]

from Ball End to Nut is 31.25 while the distance from Ball End to the center of the E string tuning post is 34.

"Short scale" strings by most manufacturers are 32" - 32.75" in winding length (ball end to taper/silk), so that would be long enough for your bass. DR's "short scale" is 33" for the E and 33.75" for the other three, so those would be fine as well.

Are you going to be playing this bass mostly plugged in? Or, do you need it to be able to project enough acoustically unplugged? Any specific type of string you're interested in trying?

 

[Bassplyr74]

it's purely for practice. Not even jamming with anyone. So it doesn't have to be projected too far. Basically, i'd like something a little heavier gauge than what i use on my electrics (50-105 gauge).

thank you for taking the time on this sir! Appreciate it

 

[michael_t]

Basically, i'd like something a little heavier gauge than what i use on my electrics (50-105 gauge).

Going heavier than 50-105 could mean having to file the nut slots to make them wider. Are you ok with that?

How much more tension do you think your bass can take? Would you be ok with the roundwound variety, or would you like to try something different, such as flatwound or tapewound, for smoother surface feel with less finger noise?

 

[Deleted member 271037]

I don't think you really NEED to use medium scale strings, unless you have very unusual tuners (like the ones on Danelectros, Höfners or similar). Standard long scale strings should work fine. You will end up with some of the fully wound string around the tuning posts but that shouldn't be a problem at all with roundwounds.

My search for acoustic bass strings ended with Thomastik phosphor bronze on nylon core. They are VERY different to all other acoustic bass strings I've played, considerably warmer/fuller tone. Other acoustic bass string sound grotesquely bright/metallic to me by comparison.

The Thomastiks also feel very different. They "roll" under the fingers like classical guitar strings and the tension is quite low. I'm sure some people will find them too floppy. Some people will probably also prefer the brighter tone of other acoustic bass strings. But for me there's Thomastik above all the rest when it comes to acoustic bass strings. I didn't even like acoustic basses until I tried the Thomastiks. And they last FOREVER!

 

[Bassplyr74]

Going heavier than 50-105 could mean having to file the nut slots to make them wider. Are you ok with that?

How much more tension do you think your bass can take? Would you be ok with the roundwound variety, or would you like to try something different, such as flatwound or tapewound, for smoother surface feel with less finger noise?

Great question, i once had heavier gauge strings on this year's ago. I have replaced the nut since then though. This bass is really a beater to be honest.. Sounds and feels great but I'm definitely willing to do some work on it if needed.

Tapes aren't for me honestly. Id prefer a roundwound but i would consider trying out flats on this though. I've never seen acoustic flats before.

 

[Bassplyr74]

I don't think you really NEED to use medium scale strings, unless you have very unusual tuners (like the ones on Danelectros, Höfners or similar). Standard long scale strings should work fine. You will end up with some of the fully wound string around the tuning posts but that shouldn't be a problem at all with roundwounds.

My search for acoustic bass strings ended with Thomastik phosphor bronze on nylon core. They are VERY different to all other acoustic bass strings I've played, considerably warmer/fuller tone. Other acoustic bass string sound grotesquely bright/metallic to me by comparison.

The Thomastiks also feel very different. They "roll" under the fingers like classical guitar strings and the tension is quite low. I'm sure some people will find them too floppy. Some people will probably also prefer the brighter tone of other acoustic bass strings. But for me there's Thomastik above all the rest when it comes to acoustic bass strings. I didn't even like acoustic basses until I tried the Thomastiks. And they last FOREVER!

I will check these out! I like bright but you're right, the sound of most acoustic strings are dreadfully bright and clanky. Thank you for the recommendation.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Great question, i once had heavier gauge strings on this year's ago. I have replaced the nut since then though. This bass is really a beater to be honest.. Sounds and feels great but I'm definitely willing to do some work on it if needed.

Tapes aren't for me honestly. Id prefer a roundwound but i would consider trying out flats on this though. I've never seen acoustic flats before.

A possibly unnecessary note but here goes anyway: you don't have to have "acoustic" strings on an acoustic bass guitar. Not mandatory for tone, much less for structural reasons (the top/bracing and neck only care about tension, not winding material).

The above being said, if as I suspect "acoustic flat" = bronze flat, here is an exhaustive (in all senses) writeup on what the bass string market currently offers as far as bronze strings:

-bronze roundwounds
-coated bronze roundwounds
-Elixir Nanoweb Coated Acoustic Bass (80/20 bronze; unlike competitors, they coat the finished string instead of the windings, so they're a bit smoother to the touch)

-(processed rounds) GHS Pressurewound Bronze, available in a sole 4-string long-scale set, the 4L-RBB, and a separate low B, RBB120

-(clear nylon tapewounds) La Bella 760G and 750G Gold White Nylon Tape Wound ("gold" being actually Golden Alloy i.e. 80/20 brass/bronze; they also make Copper White Nylon sets, the 760C and 750C)

-(black nylon tapewounds) Warwick Black Nylon Tapewound Bronze (4-string sets plus single B)

-(flatwounds proper) 760FGS Deep Talkin’ Bass Gold Flats.
Regarding how acousticky they sound, if at all, when installed on an ABG: I seem to remember, in a nutshell, that one does not find them to be especially better-projecting or -sounding than steel or nickel flats, unlike what happens with roundwounds of the same materials. They are flatwounds, and of the thumpy sort, which seems to matter more than the flat ribbon being bronze.
[Paging @Karl Kaminski to either confirm or correct what I remember having read about Deep Talkin' Golds on ABG.]
___

All the above having verbosely been said,
On my 32" scale I use and love the Savarez 4CB640R set. They're nyloncore roundwounds, like the Thomastik-Infeld Acousticores, only
- silverplated copper instead of phosphor bronze
- higher-gauged, for a more familiar feel, or a less odd one I guess
- a lot less expensive.
In fact, they're so inexpensive I believe any ABG player should try them just to get an idea how nyloncores sound and feel. However closely or not they compare to the T-Is, they may just be a temporary detour from them, or could serve as a gateway to them.
A 34" version exists, called 4CB640RL.

[A caveat: they come with no ball-end, so they need their (nylon, hence fairly pliable) plain ends to be tied into knots, or to old ball-ends.]

 

[Bassplyr74]

thank you for taking the time to write that sir, appreciate it.. those sound like a good option.

 

[Dave Leighton]

So, at this point, the main bass I am playing is a 32" scale Warwick Acoustic. It has TI Flats and sings.

I went through several flats, rounds and acoustic strings. Intonation was an issue with some. Others were just meh...

I agree with @S.F.Sarrow, the TI nylon core acoustics are great. Definitely requires a lighter touch. I have several songs where digging in is a requirement and as much as I loved them, just won't work.

Aside from they typical response of, try them and see, I will say, keep an eye on the tension of the strings you try. An electric bass is a slab of wood with a hunk of metal for a bridge attached with screws. ABG, not so much...

 

[Karl Kaminski]

-(flatwounds proper) 760FGS Deep Talkin’ Bass Gold Flats.
Regarding how acousticky they sound, if at all, when installed on an ABG: I seem to remember, in a nutshell, that one does not find them to be especially better-projecting or -sounding than steel or nickel flats, unlike what happens with roundwounds of the same materials. They are flatwounds, and of the thumpy sort, which seems to matter more than the flat ribbon being bronze.
[Paging @Karl Kaminski to either confirm or correct what I remember having read about Deep Talkin' Golds on ABG.]
___

Hi Guys,
Yup, that was my take on them with ABG34". And I'll add (for me) they are a bit on the stiffer side. I think the Galli Synthesis are similar in 'thumpiness', but with a much nicer attack (though with a shorter decay) on ABG.

hope that helps
—K