Author Topic: String Advice for a 4 String Brown Bass  (Read 445 times)

Harleybass

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String Advice for a 4 String Brown Bass
« on: July 02, 2020, 01:01:12 PM »
Just pulled the Trigger on a 4 String Brown Bass.Given it's Short Scale,I'm coming from a medium scale Distillate .I would use a 35 gauge G string.The lightest I'm seeing for a short scale is 40 for the G String.is it taboo to use a set of Roto 35 swing Jazz on my short scale?dont want to mess with the truss rod.Thanks in Advance

edwardofhuncote

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Re: String Advice for a 4 String Brown Bass
« Reply #1 on: July 02, 2020, 01:47:12 PM »
First, Congratulations. Brown Bass = Winner.  ;D

Use whatever strings you want to, and just adjust the truss rods. It takes a 1/4" box wrench and it could only be easier if an elf did it for you. I'm guessing in a set with a .035 G, you're probably going to have to slack them anyway, if that bass has had anything else installed.

ducatidoc

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keith_h

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Re: String Advice for a 4 String Brown Bass
« Reply #3 on: July 02, 2020, 03:07:33 PM »
I assume you are looking at using a longer string set such as a medium or long scale set. I've always stuck to short scale string sets on my short scale basses, Alembic brand on my Alembics, so can't make a specific brand recommendations.

The main determination would be where the wrappings end up in relation to the nut and tuning peg. You do not want to have much if any of the main wrappings going around the tuning peg. On a small body short scale like the Brown Bass I would expect this to be an issue mostly on the E and  G strings. The good news is with the extra length to the tail piece the bass can use some medium scale sets without a problem.

Harleybass

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Re: String Advice for a 4 String Brown Bass
« Reply #4 on: July 02, 2020, 03:49:55 PM »
Please keep your suggestions coming.Thank You

hammer

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Re: String Advice for a 4 String Brown Bass
« Reply #5 on: July 02, 2020, 06:00:38 PM »
I use medium scale TIs on my short scale basses and have no problems. Short scale TIs were not long enough

edwin

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Re: String Advice for a 4 String Brown Bass
« Reply #6 on: July 03, 2020, 07:05:02 PM »
If you have a favorite string maker, get in touch with them and see what they can do. Most are pretty flexible.

Harleybass

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Re: String Advice for a 4 String Brown Bass
« Reply #7 on: July 04, 2020, 06:52:35 AM »
I never would have thought to contact the MFR.great idea.I always loved the Roto's 66.the lightest is 40 .so I will contact them if i need 35's in a Short Scale.Thank You

hieronymous

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Re: String Advice for a 4 String Brown Bass
« Reply #8 on: July 04, 2020, 08:36:22 AM »
Remember that Alembic short scale still has the extra distance between the tailpiece and the bridge, so a standard "short scale" string may not fit - I know that's the case for LaBella's. I use regular long scale DRs & LaBellas on my Stanley Clarke 5-string (the EADG strings at least) without any problems. You might want to specify the distance from the tailpiece to the nut - it's longer than on a Gibson short scale for example where the ball-end is right by the saddle.

Enjoy your new bass!

hankster

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Re: String Advice for a 4 String Brown Bass
« Reply #9 on: July 09, 2020, 07:24:50 PM »
I agree with Gregory. Use your favourite strings. Messing with the Tess rods on an Alexis about the most fun a person can have, by themselves. My favourite strings btw are the Alembic short scales.
Congrats on the Brown Bass. That’s a fine instrument.
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jazzyvee

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Re: String Advice for a 4 String Brown Bass
« Reply #10 on: July 10, 2020, 09:39:00 AM »
What gauge of string would you use on a short scale Alembic bass for tenor tuning? I fancy experimenting with that tuning.
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soflbass

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Re: String Advice for a 4 String Brown Bass
« Reply #11 on: July 12, 2020, 04:33:02 PM »
This is an excellent description of how to measure a bass for the correct string length:
https://www.fretnation.com/Finding-the-correct-string-length-for-your-electric-bass_ep_46-1.html

lozbass2

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Re: String Advice for a 4 String Brown Bass
« Reply #12 on: July 13, 2020, 04:53:24 AM »
I've been using Rotosound Swing Bass 40-90 (short scale) on an SCD fairly successfully.  I know it's not the 35 that the OP might be seeking but it's a very light set overall.  For me, they seem to start very bright but fade quite quickly.  One of the benefits is that the Rotosounds (designated short scale) fit really well despite the extra length required by the tailpiece.  They're also silked (which I prefer if using gold plated hardware).  I'm in the UK where Rotosound strings are very inexpensive - I'm not sure about US prices.  As an alternative, TI rounds are worth investigation (TI JR324).  Again, these are designated short-scale but there's no problem with fit for an Alembic Short Scale small bodied bass.  TIs are also silked at both ends.  They're a very expensive string but round core and extremely low tension (something that I prefer).  Gauges are 42, 56, 69 and 93.  They don't feel to me like any other string - very smooth and compliant.  TIs are very expensive in the UK and probably the world over - sourcing the short-scale variety is also difficult (at least in the UK).  For cheap and cheerful options, there's also Fender 5250 (40-95 Extra light short scale) these seem to fit fine and are pretty light as the name suggests, or D'addario EXL220M (40, 60, 75, 95) - again, light, good length and reasonably bright, indeed, very similar to the Fenders.  I've used all of these on Alembic short-scales and without any problems.  I do tend to find that securing 35 strings isn't easy, though there are custom makers in the UK (Newtone) that will do very light sets - or anything you might want - at a reasonable price.  Just another observation, I found the Brown Bass that I had to have 'darker' tone than the SCD - it was also a little 'chunkier' in the neck (poor choice of adjective but it's all I can think of) and responsed better to slightly heavier gauge strings - 40-100 or even 45-105.   

sonicus

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Re: String Advice for a 4 String Brown Bass
« Reply #13 on: July 14, 2020, 10:57:06 AM »
          An interesting aspect of my Alembic  Small Standard Body Shape # 73-32 ( seen as my icon on the left ) ; Stanley / Brown Bass  shape & scale ,  is that the tail piece is set lower and thus accommodates the use of long scale strings . I love that feature. The same was done on my Guild Starfire when Alembic installed the brass bridge and tail piece in the mid 1970s .
  Does anyone else have an Alembic or Alembic modified bass with such a feature ?   :)

Rondog

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Re: String Advice for a 4 String Brown Bass
« Reply #14 on: August 05, 2020, 06:37:02 AM »
I just put a set of what TI call their "short scale 32" Jazz round-wounds on my 32" scale Distillate and they are really, really nice.
The sound is very balanced and they are very supple.
The feel is like an even lighter gauge string, as the tension is very low.
One of the nicest strings I've ever used.
If they would fit, I would firmly recommend them.

I don't know whether anyone else has tried the Ernie Ball Cobalts (40-90), but they look interesting.
Maybe they could be cut down and used on a shorter scale bass?
I have a set that I am going to try on a long scale bass because they were so nice on my guitar.
'78 Series 1 Short Scale SC