#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

Flat wound bass strings for acoustic microbass

Does anyone know of any flat wound strings like the tape would strings by d'addario? I have them on my Ibanez Electric Solid body bass and love them. The microbasses have the rubber strings which are find but not stable... Does anyone know of a tape wound string for acoustic microbasses?

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Korrigan on August 27, 2018 at 4:38pm

I just built a 3-string 25.5" scale bass and used Ernie Ball Slinky Flatwounds (P02814 ). I tuned EAD, using the .080, .065 and .045 and for tension I have about 45lbs total. I think it was 17lbs for the E, 13lbs for the A and 14lbs for the D. I'm guessing your microbass is a 4 string so you'll have to find something to use for the G. Maybe a guitar flatwound?

This is a great tool for figuring out what gauges to use if you know how much tension you like.

Depending on your tuners, the tape wound part of the string might not fit in the hole or slot. I had to measure, kink and then peel my strings for my Fender style tuners. If you need to do that you can find videos on Youtube to show you how.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gwil Colman on August 31, 2018 at 3:02am

I'd be concerned that a microbass constructed like a ukulele might not be strong enough to take that much tension. Metal strings are a lot heavier (mass per unit length) than the rubber ones microbasses are made to handle and therefore need more tension to bring them up to pitch.

However there may not be a problem, I honestly don't know. Has anyone tried this?

(Just occurred to me that there are solid body microbasses. They might be OK.)

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JL on August 28, 2018 at 2:38am

https://goldtonemusicgroup.com/goldtone/accessories/mblns

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by BrianQ. on August 29, 2018 at 8:11am

You always have the option of drilling/filing the tuner holes to fit bigger string ends

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Korrigan on August 29, 2018 at 12:09pm

Yeah, pretty easy to drill a larger hole but filing wider slots would be a pain.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by ILL GREEN on January 8, 2019 at 4:19am

Late to the party, I know, sorry.

La Bella makes short scale stainless steel flat wounds for bass for the Hofner Beatle Bass which is 30" scale.

La Bella has also collabed with Gold Tone for 23" to 25" scale microbasses. But the material is silver wrapped around nylon. Though the packaging says its for acoustic and electric.

The Beatle bass strings can be obtained at any generic guitar store like Guitar Center or Sweetwater.

Microbass strings are exclusively sold at www.smallguitars.com