Double Bass Strings for a 1/4

[JTL]

Looking for some 1/4 string options. Right now I'm using either spirocore mittels or weichs, or zyex mediums on all my 3/4 scale basses.

I'm fixing up a little Kay 1/4 scale and am trying to find an affordable string for it that may be a similar tension to what I'm using on a 3/4 bass.

Thanks.

 

[Francois Blais]

I'm think of fractional Helicores (available in orchestral variant only) and Preludes (orchestral strings as well) and Corellis. (the latter may give a better pizz tone if that's what you need)
All three sets are affordable.
Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed
String Set: Corelli 350B 1/4 SIZE Upright Bass Strings at Gollihur Music - Double Bass, Upright Bass, String Bass Specialists

 

[JTL]

I'm think of fractional Helicores (available in orchestral variant only) and Preludes (orchestral strings as well) and Corellis. (the latter may give a better pizz tone if that's what you need)
All three sets are affordable.
Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed
String Set: Corelli 350B 1/4 SIZE Upright Bass Strings at Gollihur Music - Double Bass, Upright Bass, String Bass Specialists

Thanks for the response!
I'm definitely looking for something primarily for pizz since I mostly play bluegrass or classic country.

 

[Ludwig]

If you are mostly playing pizz, a good and cheap choice is Classic Line Double Bass Strings 1/4, but the strings are more difficult to bow then Spirocores.
Daddario J610-1/4M Prelude Bass 1/4 work well for both arco and pizz
Spirocore 1/4 is a good pizz choice as well, or Pyramid Black Nylon (not a good idea to bow the nylons...).
Stay away from gut strings on small basses,they just sound muddy.
After testing all of the above, my current string for 1/4 bass, very good for pizz and arco is Corelli 350 Orchester
The E string of the Corellis is strong and works well down tuned to D (my usually tuning for some time now is DADG).
If you are trying quint tuning, the Thomastik Spirocore Quint Bass 3/4 medium are useable on a 1/4, just shorten the silk a little bit.

 

[Reiska]

Spirocore Starks might do well,set up a little higher than average 1/4 strings.

 

[xichael]

Are 1/4 strings lower gauge than 3/4 strings?

I just bought used Engelhardt M3 (my first upright!), and I think it has 3/4 strings, as they're cut off at the tuning pegs, with no wrap at the ends. It also has very high action.

So if 1/4 strings are lower gauge, would that mean lower tension, decreased distance from the fingerboard?

 

[Povl Carstensen]

To play as deep on a smaller scale, they have to be higher gauge. Or, to avoid too low tension, you have to have thicker strings on shorter basses.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Tune a 3/4 scale bass, grip at the point wehre your 1/4 scale ends.
Result: the pitch is higher. To get the same pitch gripped you need to tune down the string getting less tension.

Short scale strings might be a compromise between more mass (to get the same tension) and less tension (since the instrument is smaller and thick strings don't bend well).

To compare string tensions for the same scale length have a look at my Excel file in my Dropbox and enter your scale in the top right corner:
Dropbox - Talkbass

 

[Ludwig]

All 1/4 strings I know have a little lower tension then the coresponding 3/4 strings, if both are tuned to specified pitch at specified string length. But the tension is higher as the same string for 3/4 when used on 1/4 instrument. With strings having metal strand core,you usally can use them shortend on 1/4 bass. But a 3/4 medium Spirocore will have lower tension then the 1/4 medium Spirocore when used on a 1/4 bass (that way you can get Spirocore downtuned solo feel on the small bass). Any 3/4 string having much lower tension then Spirocore 3/4 mediums will not be of much use on 1/4 bass.
You can let some manufacturer to make guts for 1/4 bass, but they will be very thick or tension very low ==> both makes the string almost unusable. There are a few strings with nylon core for 1/4 like Pirastro Obligato, but I don't have experience with them.
Strings for 1/4 bass are best on the bright side, that makes playing in tune much easier. Dark or thick strings tend to have a pitch that is hard to hear.
An adult with big hands can play cello fingering on 1/4 bass, but I never found a string set I was satisfied with in quint tuning. A quint set for 1/4 does not exists, low B or C strings for 1/4 do not exist, not many solo tuning strings in 1/4 to get the cello tuning working. The Spirocore 3/4 medium quint set is useable, but has very low tension when used on 1/4 (not very loud). There is no Spirocore 3/4 strong quint set, which is regretable.