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Short Scale 6-String Options - Brice HXB-406

B

Buster Groove

Jan 8, 2011
14
0
#1
Hey, I just scored a Rondo Brice HXB-406 Short Scale 6-String Bass and I want to put new strings on it. Doesn't look like there are many options out there. I would like to start with LaBella Deep Talkin Flats, but the sites I checked only listed 4-string sets in short scale -- no 6-string SS sets.

What do you know about this? I don't want to have to twist my own set of strings -- the cats in my neighborhood are well liked.
 
#2
What are the spec's of the instrument? Distance from Ball End to the back of the Nut? Does it need large Ball Ends or will it accept smaller ball ends (guitar sized).

La Bella can make their Deep Talkin Flats in any size special order... But there may be other options more readily available if I knew your spec's...
 
#6
Hey Jason, I just ordered a DTF set from you for my SX SS P-bass!

The website specs on the Brice are:
Short scale neck (30") for easy playability.
String-thru-bridge design for maximum attack and sustain
String Gauges are .029, .045, 065, .085, .105, .128
String spacing is 16mm at the bridge

I'll measure the actual string length when I get home -- If I remember, the string-through body requires maybe 1 to 1.5 inches extra.

What determines if it will work with smaller ball ends? ..the diameter of the hole in the body ferrule? That may be hard to measure for you.

Thanks
 
#7
Buster Groove said:
Hey Jason, I just ordered a DTF set from you for my SX SS P-bass!

The website specs on the Brice are:
Short scale neck (30") for easy playability.
String-thru-bridge design for maximum attack and sustain
String Gauges are .029, .045, 065, .085, .105, .128
String spacing is 16mm at the bridge

I'll measure the actual string length when I get home -- If I remember, the string-through body requires maybe 1 to 1.5 inches extra.

What determines if it will work with smaller ball ends? ..the diameter of the hole in the body ferrule? That may be hard to measure for you.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Awesome! I hope you like the DTF's!!! It isn't a thru-body is it?

If you want string gauges that match that then this other option I was thinking of wont work for you...

I have ordered some Short Scale 5 & 6 string sets for some users... Don't have any Thru-Body but it can be arranged... Basically you are going to need to know the length from Ball to Nut and Ball to the tuning post for the thickest string and then I can tell you exactly what you would need...
 
#8
I measured my Brice HXB-406 Short Scale string-through-body lengths
(Link Removed)

Ball-end to top/back-of-nut distance = 32-3/4 inch.

Top-of-Nut to Tuning-Post-Center distances (inch):
C 1-7/8
G 3-3/8
D 5
A 5-5/8
E 4-1/8
B 2-4/8

Ball-End to Tuning-Post-Center distance (inch)
C 34-5/8
G 36-1/8
D 37-6/8
A 38-3/8
E 36-7/8
B 35-2/8

Since the factory strings only had 1-3/4 to 2-1/2 turns around the posts, I didn't measure the total string lengths because I would like more turns/greater length on the new strings. How much extra length do you add for the tuning post?

Can you make recommendations for a LaBella DTF flat wound set, a GHS smooth Tape Wound set and a round wound set. It would be nice to get a kind of Bass VI like sound like the The Cure had with the round wounds.

Don't necessarily have to stick with the factory string gauges, but it would be best not to have to modify the nut slots if I am going to be testing different string sets. On the other hand, the B string kind of rattles on the frets -- I understand that a thicker gauge would require a higher tension and would rattle less.
 
#9
You are going to need "Medium Scale" La Bella Thru-Body Deep Talkin Flats if you want La Bella's.

GHS Black Nylon Tapewounds are 38" from Ball End to Silk and unfortunately do not have a High-C option. La Bella and Rotosound have a High-C option. La Bella can make 34" winding length Medium Scale tapes. Rotosounds are 37.75" Ball to Silk so the B string may give a little trouble...

I thought about Fender Bass 6 Flats but they are 35.5" Ball to Silk but you would be tuned different as they are a much lighter gauge.

So you may need to special order your 6 string set depending on if La Bella has one on the shelf (usually they just build to order for dealers)...
 
#11
Buster Groove said:
Thanks so much for the info. It sounds like La Bella is the way to go for flats and tapes. Is there another vendor for round wounds that could provide a set with the silk winding and the B-string taper in the proper location?
Click to expand...

On that instrument? Not really... (at least not that I know of)... Most B strings are at least 36.25 - 36.5" and the taper sections will be 2.5"

La Bella will make Medium Scale rounds as well...
 
#14
SLaPiNFuNK said:
Not really.

Only 34" winding length Low-B strings are:

DR Hi-Beam Short Scale 45-125 (add single High-C)
Any La Bella set can be made Medium Scale

That is really it.
Click to expand...


Hi,

I also have this bass and have a few ?s about the labella strings at your site.

I'm looking at the La Bella Nickel-Plated Round Wound Series Bass Strings 6 String Set Invalid Link Removed

Part Number LB_SN45CB

I would like the standard set .029 .045 .065 .085 .105 .128 in medium scale. Just to be sure is that still doable ?

Does it need to be Thru-Body ? There is no option for that.

What exactly does the Thru-Body option change ? The taper at the ball end ? The length ?

Thanks for any help you can give :)

~Rob
 
#15
Anyone else have experience with this bass on string choices ?

I may consider stringing it it up E A D G C F to give me more string choices.

I appreciate any help advice anyone can give on this Bass.

Thanks,

~Rob
 
#16
All you need to do is look at 4-string sets with the appropriate length (Short Scale for Top Load / Medium Scale for Thru-Body).

For the High-C string any Long Scale string will do (unless it is a Tapewound).

The High-F string any Plain Steel string will work. I suggest getting multiple plain steels as they will not last as long as the other strings.
 
#17
SLaPiNFuNK said:
All you need to do is look at 4-string sets with the appropriate length (Short Scale for Top Load / Medium Scale for Thru-Body).

For the High-C string any Long Scale string will do (unless it is a Tapewound).

The High-F string any Plain Steel string will work. I suggest getting multiple plain steels as they will not last as long as the other strings.
Click to expand...




I will probably be sticking with the low B and going for the La Bella Nickel-Plated Round Wound Series Bass Strings 6 String Set in Medium scale.


Thanks for the info :)

~Rob
 

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