What strings do you use on your Bass VI

[thewizardofaz]

just wondering who uses what and why

[sookwinder]

when I first got my 67 bass vi  the strings were crap  ... have no idea what they were and so I strung it with the fender BASS VI strings that are readily available.

the bass vi still played like crap and I even had thoughts about selling it... then (at the old place) Alfred posted that he used Labelle flats.  I bought some labelle flats for Bass Vi  and just like magic the bass vi came to life.  It was easy to play, it intonated without any issues, the tonal properties were amazing.

I know others here use the fender strings and other brands as well, but I will always string my bass vi with labelle flats  ...  they are the difference between the bass vi being a vinatge piece of junk and a vintage clasic instrument.

[tsalwel]

ghs


http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/vie ... 737#p36737



  d

[eggwheat]

Messed arround for years with different brands, guages, strings etc. Then Fender brought out the bass VI set, which I now use all the time and have found to be fine. before that i was using rotosound but they dont make them anymore.

[thewizardofaz]

Thanks guys. I was just thinking ahead to the day when my body and neck get here and building and then PLAYING it!! I've got most of the parts already. The big part I'm lacking is the bridge. I'm really not wanting to use a JM/Jag bridge, but that may be all that is available for a while. Also, I did have a quesetion about the normal kluson tuners that are in use now, versus the orginal ones with the stouter shaft. Does anyone have any real problems winding the string on the smaller kluson shafts or a particular technicque they use that seems to work best? I know what I use on my guitars, a loop and a bend back over the string to lock it in. I don't need a lot of winds that way either.

[scottme]

Does anyone know where to buy a set of LaBella VI flats for a reasonable price?

[thewizardofaz]

I think 56 bucks was the cheapest I've found them so far.

[scottme]

I was thinking to post the current stock strings available and their guage here.

Fender Brand VI Strings 5350 Roundwound
.025  .035  .045 .055 .075 .095
B E A D G C
$20

D'Addario XL156 Roundwound (Are 155s shorter?)
.024  .034  .044  .056  .072  .084
E(20lbs) A(26) D(27) G(30) B(28) E(25)
$8.75

D'Addario XL157 Roundwound (too short perhaps)
.014  .018  .026  .044  .056  .068
B E A B F# B
$8

D'Addario XL158 Roundwound (too short perhaps)
.013  .017  .026  .036  .046  .062
$8

Danelectro Vintage Tone Bass 6 strings Roundwound
.024, .034, .044, .056, .072, .084

GHS baritone strings Roundwound (Maybe too short)
.014, .018, .028, .038, .050, .070
A D G C E A (low - high)
$6

LaBella Fender VI Roundwound 767-6S
.026  .035  .044  .055  .075  .095
B E A D G C (low - high)
$42

LaBella Fender VI Flatwound 767-6F
.026  .035  .044 .056 .075 .095
B E A D G C (low - high)
$56

LaBella Baritone BGE-M Round (maybe too short)
.015  .019  .030  .044  .056 .080
E A D G B E
$9

LaBella Baritone BGE-M Round (maybe too short)
.014  .018  .028  .040  .050 .070
E A D G B E
$9

EDITED: added
GHS Electric Bass Boomers for Fender VI Bass Vintage 6-String, CU-F6DYB
.025  .035  .045 .055 .075 .095
E A D G B E
$20

Have I missed any?

I have a set of D'Addarios and they sound crap tuned E-E, so I'm going to try the Baritone tuning B-C, although I think maybe the 84s are too light for a low B.

[sookwinder]

LaBella Fender VI Flatwound 767-6F
.026  .035  .044 .056 .075 .095
B E A D G C (low - high)
$56

why do you have :  B E A D G C (low - high)

surely it is just the standard  E A D G B E, or am I missing something (which is highly possible  )

plus the packet I have in my hands right now says  0.055  not 0.056

[tsalwel]

GHS baritone strings Roundwound
.014, .018, .028, .038, .050, .070
A D G C E A (low - high)
$6

i have ghs custom shop specialty strings
  fender VI bass VI
  roundwound NPS
  025 , 035 , 045 , 055 , 075 , 095
 
  d

[scottme]

Thanks guys.

I was mostly going off what just strings had to say about tunings.

The sets with .095 seem to be rather flabby for tuning to E. The 84 I have seems a bit big, so I'm looking for something around 80. Also thinking about a 68 for A.

[thewizardofaz]

The D'addario X: 155 set runs 024 034 044 056 072 084. It is made for the Jerry jones bass VI, which also has a 30 inch scale. So, they should fit, but they are roundwounds, so some folks might  not like them.

http://www.jerryjonesguitars.com/NLHbass6.htm

[tsalwel]

with .095 seem to be rather flabby for tuning to E



  d

[sookwinder]

with .095 seem to be rather flabby for tuning to E



  d

I have to agree with Dirk,    ,  I have no problem with flabbiness on the lower E string of my VI. In fact it is great. 

[scottme]

Maybe it's the strings I'm using, or my setup or electrics. I just haven't found a 1st string that does it for me yet.

I'd love to try the LaBella flats when I get some spare dosh.