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Double Bass Strings for Dean Pace
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Your 35" scale is between 1/4 size & 1/2 size, closer to the latter, but it looks like you can't handle any sort of afterlength. D'Addario might have something for you (from their NS range), or maybe the jf364 TI Jazz Flats. Those are steel strings, and if you can find something in nylon (as Francois says) with a suitable tension it may sound more DB-like. Or maybe gut for that scale.
That instrument uses BG strings.
Look at it:
Upright Pace Bass - Classic Black w/Case | Dean Guitars
D'Addario says their long scale bass strings fit instruments up to 36.25 inches scale, and their super-long scales fit up to 38 inches scale.
Look at it:
Upright Pace Bass - Classic Black w/Case | Dean Guitars
D'Addario says their long scale bass strings fit instruments up to 36.25 inches scale, and their super-long scales fit up to 38 inches scale.
I see, apparently I misread yesterday, I thought you suggested true nylon strings Francois.
Indeed, LS or SLS EBG strings should fit, that's why I suggested the JF364, those are the EBG strings probably coming closest to DB strings (spiro-like flexible core encapsulated in silk). TI sail a bit closer to the wind, the JF344 might not fit. The Chromes will also work (I used the LS Chromes on a 90cm EBG), but that's an un-damped solid core, as are all the nylon flatwounds from D'Addario or Labella. Those are also possible (LS tested on 90cm scale EBGs), but those all sound very much like they are EBG strings, which of course they are.
D'Addario's NS Electric Bass/Cello Strings have a swinging length of 35.4"-36" (nominally to fit LS EBG, and are EADG in 4th's). Don't know them, seems worth checking out.
But I was serious on the nylon; maybe you can find something in solid nylon with a suitable tension & flexibility, and that may sound more DB-like. There are black nylon strings available that might suit you, and those are cheap. Or maybe gut for that scale, which might be available, or which some manufacturers can make for you. But gut may become silly expensive.
Indeed, LS or SLS EBG strings should fit, that's why I suggested the JF364, those are the EBG strings probably coming closest to DB strings (spiro-like flexible core encapsulated in silk). TI sail a bit closer to the wind, the JF344 might not fit. The Chromes will also work (I used the LS Chromes on a 90cm EBG), but that's an un-damped solid core, as are all the nylon flatwounds from D'Addario or Labella. Those are also possible (LS tested on 90cm scale EBGs), but those all sound very much like they are EBG strings, which of course they are.
D'Addario's NS Electric Bass/Cello Strings have a swinging length of 35.4"-36" (nominally to fit LS EBG, and are EADG in 4th's). Don't know them, seems worth checking out.
But I was serious on the nylon; maybe you can find something in solid nylon with a suitable tension & flexibility, and that may sound more DB-like. There are black nylon strings available that might suit you, and those are cheap. Or maybe gut for that scale, which might be available, or which some manufacturers can make for you. But gut may become silly expensive.
- Oct 7, 2000
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- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
That's what I had on mine, though on second thought the tension on those will be a far cry from what an upright feels like. I honestly don't think there's anything though that's going to make a PACE very uprightish, except for the fact that it's upright. I'd employ the same thinking as if you wanted to get a plain ol electric bass to feel and sound upright. Whatever would work best for that, I think would work best for the PACE.
PS. I understood your post, only said that to save you any possible disappointment. Unlike others, I love my PACE. I also never expected nor wanted it to be anything like an upright. I think that's essential to bonding with these instruments.
The Thomastk JF series for bass guitar does not have a spiral wound steel core but a solid steel core.
Completely synthetic strings won't work with magnetic pickups, they need a steel core to work with these kind of pickups.
Try to get very flexible strings. I have no idea which ones since I seldom play bass guitar and don't need it sound like an upright.
Even EUBs with a standard double bass scale don't sound like an acoustic upright, but the longer scale and different construction helps to get closer.
Completely synthetic strings won't work with magnetic pickups, they need a steel core to work with these kind of pickups.
Try to get very flexible strings. I have no idea which ones since I seldom play bass guitar and don't need it sound like an upright.
Even EUBs with a standard double bass scale don't sound like an acoustic upright, but the longer scale and different construction helps to get closer.
Indeed synthetic strings won't work with a magnetic pickup, but the Dean Pace has a "Piezo bridge with buffer preamp", and no mag PU. Hence I expect pure synthetic strings to work fine on a Dean Pace, pickup-wise (as would gut).
The JF's have a solid core, but more flexible than common in EBG strings, and encapsulated in silk, which is also uncommon in EBG strings. Hence spiro-like in the sense of flexibility & damping, at least to some extent. They are however quite low tension, in that sense not so spiro-like.
But I do not know which strings can make a Dean Pace sound most like an acoustic DB, these are just suggestions for input into your own trials. Take what you like, disregard what you don't.
oops - sorry Francois, didn't see yours..
The JF's have a solid core, but more flexible than common in EBG strings, and encapsulated in silk, which is also uncommon in EBG strings. Hence spiro-like in the sense of flexibility & damping, at least to some extent. They are however quite low tension, in that sense not so spiro-like.
But I do not know which strings can make a Dean Pace sound most like an acoustic DB, these are just suggestions for input into your own trials. Take what you like, disregard what you don't.
oops - sorry Francois, didn't see yours..
The Dean Pace uses Regular Long Scale Bass Guitar strings, & it helps to experiment w/ a Wide Variety of types (including the Omni Bass Strings which are made essentially like Double Bass Strings).
