I've been playing bass a long time...but embarassingly...I have little experience with acoustic bass guitars. I recently picked up a Michael Kelly Dragonfly 5 for some recording projects etc. I bought this bass used...so naturally the strings that were on it sound like they've been on it FAR too long...so I need to restring it. Can someone suggest to me a brand and gauge string to put on this thing...I also need to mention that I tune down a whole step across the board...I'm mainly just not sure what gauge to get...I know with acoustic guitars you generally use a heavier gauge than you would on an electric...is this the case here as well?
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Michael Kelly Dragonfly 5
- Thread starter Chuck D
- Start date
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
I don't play ABG but I am pretty sure you want to buy specific strings for it, I think electric bass guitar strings have too much tension and they ruin the neck on ABG. I remember somebody here selling an ABG on CL that somebody tried to return with a messed neck, the consensus was the guy put electric strings on it.
Used to have a Dragonfly 5 fretless. Strung it with D' Adarrio Phosphor Bronze. .45 - .130 I think. But I play standard tuning. Loved that bass but tough financial times meant I had to sell it.
- Jul 30, 2006
- 2,315
- 453
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist:Regenerate Guitar Works Carvin, Micheal Kelly Guitars
I use flatwound strings on mine. I pretty much hate the tone from the bronze ones. I use Dogal Jaco flats and it sounds very upright-like. Totally different sound from the bronze strings. I actually get gigs that specify the use of that bass. It's huge.
I don't have a five string, but on my four string ABG I use D'Addario Chromes (yes, the same Chromes made for electric basses).
Sounds phenomenal on an acoustic bass, and the same set will last for years and years.
On an ABG, don't automatically limit yourself to just a few of the "ABG only" zingy phos-bronze sets, unless of course that's what you want.
EDIT: Also want to address the tension comments: D'Addario Chromes have LESS tension than D'Addario's ABG phos-bronze set. D'Addario is good about providing tension info, so if you go with another brand it would be a good idea to check first.
Sounds phenomenal on an acoustic bass, and the same set will last for years and years.
On an ABG, don't automatically limit yourself to just a few of the "ABG only" zingy phos-bronze sets, unless of course that's what you want.
EDIT: Also want to address the tension comments: D'Addario Chromes have LESS tension than D'Addario's ABG phos-bronze set. D'Addario is good about providing tension info, so if you go with another brand it would be a good idea to check first.
I put some D'Addario half rounds on mine... round wound tone with flatwound wear.. I tuine standard though.. sounds great.
I second Moe's comment on the Dogals. I also have a Michael Kelly 5 string fretless Dragonfly. It is as much art as it is an instrument and looks as pretty as it sounds. The Dogal Jaco strings are bloody hard to find and blasted expensive but I just said "these things will be on there until the house burns to the ground" so in a sense they are cheaper. Great strings and like Moe says, a very upright quality to them. I am trying to find a good way to play the Dragonfly straight up (like a double bass) because it just seems like the right thing to do... I'm weird.
Next best thing (or maybe better because they are much cheaper and far easier to get) is a set of Rotosound 88 Tru Bass. I just bought my wife a Squier Short Scale Jaguar and put these on it. WOW!!! Very McCartney-esque and they feel really good on the hands!
Next best thing (or maybe better because they are much cheaper and far easier to get) is a set of Rotosound 88 Tru Bass. I just bought my wife a Squier Short Scale Jaguar and put these on it. WOW!!! Very McCartney-esque and they feel really good on the hands!
Depends on the sound you're looking for out of it. If you want it to sound like an acoustic guitar, put on some phosphor bronze acoustic strings. If you want the sound more in bass territory, try some flatwounds or tapewounds. Keep in mind, that for acoustic volume, the acoustic strings are going to be the loudest.
That being said, I have some Fender 9120 tapewounds on a fretless Dragonfly 4, also tuned to D starndard. Love the sound and feel.
I don't know... I'd put money on the fact that acoustic strings generally have higher tension than electric strings. Put some tapewounds on, and you will probably have to loosen the truss rod a little.
-Alex
That being said, I have some Fender 9120 tapewounds on a fretless Dragonfly 4, also tuned to D starndard. Love the sound and feel.
I don't know... I'd put money on the fact that acoustic strings generally have higher tension than electric strings. Put some tapewounds on, and you will probably have to loosen the truss rod a little.
-Alex
I love my four string MK Dragonfly, and also use the Bronze as mentioned. You can put tapewounds or flats on if you want that sound certainly. I had GHS brite flats on it for years, as that is what I use on my electric, and switched to Chromes last year. I use this instrument for practice at home exclusively. No plug, just play.
I used TI Jazz flats on my Dragonfly 5er for a couple years before selling it for an upright. They were wonderful sounding and feeling, low tension. Not sure how they would sound tuned down a step.
