Piccolo bass "Bromberg Tuning" (ADGC) sets available?

[Joshua Pickenpaugh]

Hello all,

After doing a thorough search high and low all over the dang internet, for the life of me I can't find where I can find a piccolo bass set that can tune up to ADGC, the tuning that @Brian Bromberg uses (and sounds so amazing). Normal piccolo sets can't tune up that extra fourth, so I've been using guitar strings on my piccolo bass (D'Addario Nickel Would XL's, 11-16-32-42 for the ADGC, respectively).

Even though guitar strings are working on my current bass, I'm looking at other models that do not support a guitar ball end....I need a bass ball end.

Any help much appreciated. Thanks everyone.

 

[J Posega]

So you're meaning an entire octave higher than the top 4 strings on a 6 string bass?

You could always snip the balls off a set of bass strings and slide your guitar strings through those.

 

[Joshua Pickenpaugh]

So you're meaning an entire octave higher than the top 4 strings on a 6 string bass?

You could always snip the balls off a set of bass strings and slide your guitar strings through those.

Yes, ADGC, but one octave higher.

The ball-end snipping idea would effectively create two ball ends, which is not what I desire.

 

[J Posega]

Yes, ADGC, but one octave higher.

The ball-end snipping idea would effectively create two ball ends, which is not what I desire.

OK... but the bass ball end will keep the guitar one from slipping through the bridge. Unless the bridge holds the string using a pin through the ball, I don't see what the issue is. Other options is to order strings custom.

 

[StevieMac]

OK... but the bass ball end will keep the guitar one from slipping through the bridge. Unless the bridge holds the string using a pin through the ball, I don't see what the issue is. Other options is to order strings custom.

So would some washers. Try a trip to a hardware store.

 

[Joshua Pickenpaugh]

Thanks for the responses, but the reason why I’m shying away from the extra ball end / washer idea is that the bass(es) I’m looking at are headless, and are equipped with a bridge that doesn’t allow anything “extra” after a bass ball end. Hopefully I’m describing this correctly.

 

[J Posega]

You could look into strings made for extended range basses. Most would be custom wound since not many of such instruments exist.

Contact Jason at FretNation. He will easily be able to tell you what companies offer the strings you need.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

I don't think you will find strings with those gauges that are long enough and has a bass ball end except as a custom order. Of course some of the manufacturers/dealers that offer custom sets just put them together from available standard strings and that won't work here. The wound 032/042 strings won't be a problem but I don't think I've ever seen a plain 011 or 016 string made specifically for bass. You will most likely have to find someone who can actually wind these strings specifically for you, with the required length and bass ball ends.

 

[WG Plum]

Reach out to Stringjoy, they do custom sets.

 

[WG Plum]

Reach out to Stringjoy, they do custom sets.

Just to add, I recently had them do an ADGC short scale set for me.

 

[Joshua Pickenpaugh]

Just to add, I recently had them do an ADGC short scale set for me.

Very cool. I’ll look into them. Thx!

 

[J Posega]

I don't know if Conklin actually has these in stock, but they list strings as small as .008p [Invalid or Expired Link Removed].

Warwick built a 9 string Corvette bass and list it as tuned BEADGCFBbEb with Warwick EMP strings, .008 for the high Eb.

You could also reach out to the guy at Prometeus Guitars. He builds lots of ERBs and would be able to tell you where he gets his strings from.

Newtone Strings makes custom strings, too.

 

[Joshua Pickenpaugh]

I don't know if Conklin actually has these in stock, but they list strings as small as .008p [Invalid or Expired Link Removed].

Warwick built a 9 string Corvette bass and list it as tuned BEADGCFBbEb with Warwick EMP strings, .008 for the high Eb.

You could also reach out to the guy at Prometeus Guitars. He builds lots of ERBs and would be able to tell you where he gets his strings from.

Newtone Strings makes custom strings, too.

Awesome info, thx!

 

[BarfanyShart]

I also suggest Stringjoy. They are the easiest people to work with when you want weird strings.

 

[bassbrad]

LaBella used to offer the Bromberg style set that I have had for several years on one of my Carvin LB50 basses as a custom order. They also offer a nylon piccolo set, that didn't work quite so well for me. LaBella lists the set on the Brian Bromberg and Stanley Clarke artist pages but they are no where to be found on the website.
I have sent an email and hopefully they will have a helpful response.

Brian Bromberg
Stanley Clarke