LewisK1975 Posted May 3, 2023 Share Posted May 3, 2023 I've got one of the Ibanez PNB14E parlour size (scale 24") Acoustic Basses. The A string has broken so I'm looking to re-string it totally. It has the Daddario Taylor GS size strings on it from the factory, but they're expensive and in short supply. Was thinking to just put long scale strings on it (cut, obviously), or maybe short scale ones (again probably have to cut them, so no difference to getting long scale ones really), anyone got any better suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt P Posted May 3, 2023 Share Posted May 3, 2023 (edited) are you looking for Acoustic-style Phosphor bronze strings? If so then i'd get in contact with Newtone for some custom ones, they're not as expensive as you would think and they will be able to make strings tailored for the scale and tension that you want. I've been using their acoustic strings for 15 years and they last really well and the tone is unparalleled. looking at the gauges of the D'addario ones (37,50,62,90) and putting that into the custom string configurator gives a price of 27.50 for phosphor bronze on hex core, it's a bit more (a few quid) for the platinum spec strings which have a smoother feel. they will take a couple of weeks to arrive but will be made to your spec. as the D'addario ones are over 40 a set this is a real bargain. I'm currently waiting for a huge order myself and have a 5 string stainless set being made for my Swift short scale 5. Newtone custom string configurator Matt Edited May 3, 2023 by Matt P added link 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewisK1975 Posted May 3, 2023 Author Share Posted May 3, 2023 Just now, Matt P said: are you looking for Acoustic-style Phosphor bronze strings? If so then i'd get in contact with Newtone for some custom ones, they're not as expensive as you would think and they will be able to make strings tailored for the scale and tension that you want. I've been using their acoustic strings for 15 years and they last really well and the tone is unparalleled. looking at the gauges of the D'addario ones (37,50,62,90) and putting that into the custom string configurator gives a price of 27.50 for phosphor bronze on hex core, it's a bit more (a few quid) for the platinum spec strings which have a smoother feel. they will take a couple of weeks to arrive but will be made to your spec. as the D'addario ones are over 40 a set this is a real bargain. I'm currently waiting for a huge order myself and have a 5 string stainless set being made for my Swift short scale 5. Matt Excellent info Matt, thanks! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted May 3, 2023 Share Posted May 3, 2023 I have the same Ibanez bass and love it! However, I believe that the only strings that work well on this model are the D’Addario ones you mention , that were originally designed for the Taylor GS mini bass. Think it’s something to do with string construction / tension for the very short scale length? (bronze wound over a multi filament core. ) It looks like the original set ( EXPPBB190G) are either in short supply or have been superseded by the XTB3790GS set, which are currently in stock at Bax Music for £35. Think Amazon sell them too along with other retailers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewisK1975 Posted May 3, 2023 Author Share Posted May 3, 2023 1 hour ago, casapete said: I have the same Ibanez bass and love it! However, I believe that the only strings that work well on this model are the D’Addario ones you mention , that were originally designed for the Taylor GS mini bass. Think it’s something to do with string construction / tension for the very short scale length? (bronze wound over a multi filament core. ) It looks like the original set ( EXPPBB190G) are either in short supply or have been superseded by the XTB3790GS set, which are currently in stock at Bax Music for £35. Think Amazon sell them too along with other retailers. More excellent info - Thanks casapete! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin E Posted May 8, 2023 Share Posted May 8, 2023 Absolutely this, I have the same instrument. You should never put steel strings on a nylon string guitar which effectively this bass is. A great little bass but proceed with caution. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemmywinks Posted May 10, 2023 Share Posted May 10, 2023 As already said I wouldn't put anything other than the Taylor Mini strings on there, no idea what D'Addario did to get a beefy sounding 24" low E but I'm guessing it needs that specific set to perform as intended. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted May 25, 2023 Share Posted May 25, 2023 Just noticed that Martin have got on the short scale acoustic bass bandwagon, and have also come up with some strings for it which sound very much like the D’Addarios mentioned earlier. Martin M4750 Acoustic Bass Junior Series Phosphor Bronze strings are for 24” scale length instruments, in gauges 45-96. Not sure if they’re on sale here yet, so will be interesting to see how they price them. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewisK1975 Posted May 30, 2023 Author Share Posted May 30, 2023 Got a set of the D'addarios on the way from BAX shop. More expensive than I'm usually willing to pay for strings at £35 a set, but the ones that came on the bass have lasted 3 years, and only the A string actually broke, so I shouldn't grumble really! Thanks for all the inputs chaps! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronibassman Posted November 18 Share Posted November 18 On 30/05/2023 at 16:23, LewisK1975 said: Got a set of the D'addarios on the way from BAX shop. More expensive than I'm usually willing to pay for strings at £35 a set, but the ones that came on the bass have lasted 3 years, and only the A string actually broke, so I shouldn't grumble really! Thanks for all the inputs chaps! Hi Lewis. I'm interested to know how you got on with the strings as I have just broken the A string on my Ibanez too. Did they fit okay and how do they sound etc.? Cheers, Ronnie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemmywinks Posted November 18 Share Posted November 18 18 minutes ago, ronibassman said: Hi Lewis. I'm interested to know how you got on with the strings as I have just broken the A string on my Ibanez too. Did they fit okay and how do they sound etc.? Cheers, Ronnie. The D'addario XTPBB190GS strings (for the Taylor GS Mini) are what comes on the Ibanez parlour basses as stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted November 18 Share Posted November 18 2 hours ago, ronibassman said: Hi Lewis. I'm interested to know how you got on with the strings as I have just broken the A string on my Ibanez too. Did they fit okay and how do they sound etc.? Cheers, Ronnie. Out of interest, any idea what caused the A string to break? They seem quite robust strings to me , and have never had any problems with them on my Ibanez or Taylor GS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronibassman Posted November 18 Share Posted November 18 18 minutes ago, casapete said: Out of interest, any idea what caused the A string to break? They seem quite robust strings to me , and have never had any problems with them on my Ibanez or Taylor GS. I'm not really sure, It broke whilst retensioning after removing the strings to lower the saddle height. These strings have a multi-filament core which I presumed would make them more flexible and less likely to break than steel core strings. The string broke just below the tuner post. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted November 18 Share Posted November 18 38 minutes ago, ronibassman said: I'm not really sure, It broke whilst retensioning after removing the strings to lower the saddle height. These strings have a multi-filament core which I presumed would make them more flexible and less likely to break than steel core strings. The string broke just below the tuner post. Thanks, I’ll bear that in mind if I’m doing any restringing then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewisK1975 Posted November 19 Author Share Posted November 19 On 18/11/2024 at 13:16, ronibassman said: Hi Lewis. I'm interested to know how you got on with the strings as I have just broken the A string on my Ibanez too. Did they fit okay and how do they sound etc.? Cheers, Ronnie. Hey - yes they fit perfectly and are the exact same strings that were on it originally. No problems at all since restringing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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