NBD: ibanez fan fret

[magyk8ball]

I think the stock strings are daddrio .130 on the b

Im probably getting close to needing new strings. Ill probably go with daddrio nyxl, in the stock size.

I suppose, on a bass like this, you wouldnt likely be looking to put round wounds or something. Think youd want about as much punch as you can get before things started sounding zingy/pingy/brittle. But thats my take on things.

 

[bass_69]

Dunlop Strings might not have long enough winding length, in particular, the low-B (no matter 125 nor 130). It needs string winding length of 38" to clear pass the nut. Might just make if it has the string winding length of 37.75", but doubt the Dunlop winding length of 37.25" would suffice.

I just took out a brand new single D'Addario XLB130 and measured it. It is about 48". This is the standard long scale string. No the extra long scale. I am just wondering about the gauge to try. It would be nice to be able to use standard, easily available 5 string sets.

 

[Aidil]

I just took out a brand new single D'Addario XLB130 and measured it. It is about 48". This is the standard long scale string. No the extra long scale. I am just wondering about the gauge to try. It would be nice to be able to use standard, easily available 5 string sets.

You were measuring the total string length...

What most of us usually was referring to is the "string winding length", which is only the singing part of the string or the thick part, measured from the string ball end until it tapers.

Not that what you've measured isn't important. But the total length of any long scale strings from most string manufacturers is usually long enough for most long scale basses. Whereas string winding length varies quite a lot, thus it's more important for us to know/measure (so that the string would fit on any particular bass).

The standard long scale D'Addario might have a total length of 48", but the winding length is only 37.1" (again, it's the thick part of the string), of which if we were to put this string on the Ibanez multi-scale bass, the thick part wouldn't be long enough to clear pass the nut. So, we need D'Addario Super Long Scale strings, which winding length is 38" (don't know how long in total, which is probably the same or slightly more than 48").

 

[bass_69]

You were measuring the total string length...

What most of us usually was referring to is the "string winding length", which is only the singing part of the string or the thick part, measured from the string ball end until it tapers.

Not that what you've measured isn't important. But the total length of any long scale strings from most string manufacturers is usually long enough for most long scale basses. Whereas string winding length varies quite a lot, thus it's more important for us to know/measure (so that the string would fit on any particular bass).

The standard long scale D'Addario might have a total length of 48", but the winding length is only 37.1" (again, it's the thick part of the string), of which if we were to put this string on the Ibanez multi-scale bass, the thick part wouldn't be long enough to clear pass the nut. So, we need D'Addario Super Long Scale strings, which winding length is 38" (don't know how long in total, which is probably the same or slightly more than 48").

Ok, gotcha.. Just measured it again and you are spot on. 37.1 of useable string length to the nut..

 

[bass_69]

Is it only the B I need to think of or would the E and maybe A have trouble with standard sets..

 

[JW56789]

Wow, even a fanned battery box. Impressive !

 

[Alex Masters]

I've got the exact same bass, and it's now my number one. Persist with the tone controls - there are some great, modern tones in there. Solid bottom end and growl with these basses and they are super nice to play. Fretwork edges were perfect, as was fit and finish overall.

I'm using DR Highbeams on mine, and they sound better than the D'Adarrios IMO..

 

[Aidil]

Is it only the B I need to think of or would the E and maybe A have trouble with standard sets..

Some say, yes it's only the low-B that requires D'Addario Super Long Scale 38" winding length. The rests should be fine using D'Addario Long Scale 37.1" winding length. This means you can purchase a Long Scale 4 string set and a Super Long Scale low-B single. But... for sure, you'd better measure the required winding length of the 2 lowest strings (low-B and E) yourself (IIRC, the A should be fine with 37.1" winding length).

When I changed the strings on my Ibanez fanned fret, I opted for Elixir Extra Long Scale (38" winding length) on all strings. Elixir Long Scale winding length is only 36.5", so I was sure I couldn't use its 4 string set for the EADG.

 

[Alex Masters]

Some say, yes it's only the low-B that requires D'Addario Super Long Scale 38" winding length. The rests should be fine using D'Addario Long Scale 37.1" winding length. This means you can purchase a Long Scale 4 string set and a Super Long Scale low-B single. But... for sure, you'd better measure the required winding length of the 2 lowest strings (low-B and E) yourself (IIRC, the A should be fine with 37.1" winding length).

When I changed the strings on my Ibanez fanned fret, I opted for Elixir Extra Long Scale (38" winding length) on all strings. Elixir Long Scale winding length is only 36.5", so I was sure I couldn't use its 4 string set for the EADG.

I did this - D'Addario EXL170 45-105 long scale set + 125 Super long 'B'.. I'm guessing scale length on the E is about 35"

It does save you some money compared to a super long 5 string set, but I'm not sure that the string tension is completely consistent between the 4 string and single .125 'B'

DR do super long scale strings and I'm liking the DR Hi-beams very much with this bass - better than the EXL170 IMO.

Regards,
Alex

 

[Aidil]

I did this - D'Addario EXL170 45-105 long scale set + 125 Super long 'B'.. I'm guessing scale length on the E is about 35"

It does save you some money compared to a super long 5 string set, but I'm not sure that the string tension is completely consistent between the 4 string and single .125 'B'

DR do super long scale strings and I'm liking the DR Highbeams very much with this bass - better than the EXL170 IMO.

Regards,
Alex

DR makes Long Scale sets in 38" winding length. So, just by purchasing their long scale set is already sufficient for the entire strings on the Ibanez fanned fret bass.

They also have Extra Long Scale sets (they don't call them super long scale sets), which winding length is 40.7". But, these are too long for Ibanez fanned fret basses.

 

[Alex Masters]

DR makes Long Scale sets in 38" winding length. So, just by purchasing their long scale set is already sufficient for the entire strings on the Ibanez fanned fret bass.

They also have Extra Long Scale sets (they don't call them super long scale sets), which winding length is 40.7". But, these are too long for Ibanez fanned fret basses.

That's interesting - I bought the extra long scale sets and they fit fine, but good to know that the 'standard' long scale strings would work well. I'll check when I get home, but IIRC, the tapered section did start at the right place on the B and the G.

 

[Aidil]

That's interesting - I bought the extra long scale sets and they fit fine, but good to know that the 'standard' long scale strings would work well. I'll check when I get home, but IIRC, the tapered section did start at the right place on the B and the G.

I'm not saying you're wrong, but probably what you have is just DR long scale set, since DR calls its 38" winding length strings as long scale. Had you gotten DR extra long scale set (40.7" winding length), the thick winding of the low-B string would have reached the tuner string post and gotten wound on the post. But you could be right, cause the low-B tuner on the 5 string Ibanez multi-scale bass is located further away from the bridge, which would allow the usage of longer winding length string.

Another reason is that DR extra long scale sets are rarely available in the market. Only a few retailers like FN has these, although I don't know whether these are in-stock items or need to be ordered first.

 

[BurningSkies]

Thats a really pretty bass, I have not seen that finished before and one of these. Personally I like it better than the gray.

Am I correct in remembering that these are 32 inch to 35 inch scale?

This didn't look like a 3 inch fan to me (spending a fair amount of time with my basses at 3" fan and seeing a lot of others that are slightly less. So I looked it up...This one is 34-35.5, so a really mild 1.5" fan.

 

[BurningSkies]

So my calculation is, it went from Ibanez standard 16.5 mm to 15.9 mm spacing. Very tight indeed.

The website lists 16.5mm but they may be measuring differently.

Ok, gotcha.. Just measured it again and you are spot on. 37.1 of useable string length to the nut..

The long side of the scale is 35.5" so most strings that fit 35" basses should work with this.

 

[Aidil]

The website lists 16.5mm but they may be measuring differently.

Yes, the factory string spacing IS 16.5mm (measured from string center to adjacent string center).

You were quoting a post to a discussion on reduced string spacing. Whether you are aware or not, the SRMS came with new MR5S bridges which have sideways saddle setting to enlarge or reduce the string spacing. On a 5 string setup, the standard 16.5 mm spacing can be reduced down to 15.9 mm (with all spacings being equal, measured from center to center).

The long side of the scale is 35.5" so most strings that fit 35" basses should work with this.

discussed quite intensive on this...

not all string (that fit 35" basses") would fit on this. Most important is to make sure the string winding length is long enough (the safest is any strings with 38" winding length).

An example of mine: I have Elixir long scale strings (36.5" winding length) which fit perfectly on my 35" Ibanez BTB 7 strings, but the same strings wouldn't pass the nut, in particular the low-B and E strings, if I put these on to my Ibanez SR Fanned Fret 806.

 

[BurningSkies]

Yes, the factory string spacing IS 16.5mm (measured from string center to adjacent string center).

You were quoting a post to a discussion on reduced string spacing. Whether you are aware or not, the SRMS came with new MR5S bridges which have sideways saddle setting to enlarge or reduce the string spacing. On a 5 string setup, the standard 16.5 mm spacing can be reduced down to 15.9 mm (with all spacings being equal, measured from center to center).



discussed quite intensive on this...

not all string (that fit 35" basses") would fit on this. Most important is to make sure the string winding length is long enough (the safest is any strings with 38" winding length).

An example of mine: I have Elixir long scale strings (36.5" winding length) which fit perfectly on my 35" Ibanez BTB 7 strings, but the same strings wouldn't pass the nut, in particular the low-B and E strings, if I put these on to my Ibanez SR Fanned Fret 806.

I apologize. I use a 37" scale fan. Everything besides a Quake is short compared to that.

 

[magyk8ball]

A quake bass? Those seem like quite a monster.

Does it compare at all to the ibanez?
I would think the ibanez just about seems like a piccalo bass in comparrison

 

[BurningSkies]

A quake bass? Those seem like quite a monster.

Does it compare at all to the ibanez?
I would think the ibanez just about seems like a piccalo bass in comparrison

Yeah, too long for me. Some people feel like the 37" is 'stretching' things...I've got a pretty good wingspan though. Although I look at the small amount of fan on these and feel like it's a missed opportunity though understand that it probably fits a niche.

 

[magyk8ball]

Yeah, too long for me. Some people feel like the 37" is 'stretching' things...I've got a pretty good wingspan though. Although I look at the small amount of fan on these and feel like it's a missed opportunity though understand that it probably fits a niche.

Niche, and i assume is price point & considering regularly available strings?
Not sure id call it a missed opportunity, at least quite yet. Id love to see like a singlecut, neck through, maybe 34”-37”.

Iirc, those carvin multi scale headless models arent 37” either, but the vader is. Maybe as part of product development, someone determined a larger fan is less desirable?

 

[BurningSkies]

Niche, and i assume is price point & considering regularly available strings?
Not sure id call it a missed opportunity, at least quite yet. Id love to see like a singlecut, neck through, maybe 34”-37”.

Iirc, those carvin multi scale headless models arent 37” either, but the vader is. Maybe as part of product development, someone determined a larger fan is less desirable?

My thoughts there are that it's a combination of not terribly different than a 35" scale and also it's only 1.5" of fan, which is pretty mild, you know? So something that's 32-35 or 33-35, or 34-36 etc. would seem to be a bigger benefit for many playing choices if that makes sense.