velvetkevorkian Posted August 1, 2009 Share Posted August 1, 2009 (edited) I've found that I quite like using Elixirs on my 4 and 5 string basses, and they get me the sound I like. However, I also have a 7 string and they only do 6 string sets. My question is, has anyone ever used Elixir [i]guitar[/i] strings on bass? Specifically at a D or G from the guitar set to use as a high E (I tune the 7 BEADGBE) that I could match with the 6 string bass set. My main concern would be for length, although not breaking would be a bonus too. Anyone got any experience with these? Bit of a long shot but given that the guitar strings are £12 or so a shot I'd rather ask first. Cheers Kyle Edited August 28, 2009 by velvetkevorkian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted August 1, 2009 Share Posted August 1, 2009 i would imagine the string wouldn't be long enough due to the obvious big difference in scale length between a 6 string guitar and a 7 string bass (id assume its 35") Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted August 1, 2009 Author Share Posted August 1, 2009 The bass is 34" and has about an inch between the nut and the machine head, but I tend to find that guitar strings have a bit more excess length than bass strings, plus on a 3+3 guitar headstock, the D string machine is furthest away from the nut so needs to have greater length anyway- just not sure if it will be enough. Other people have talked about using guitar strings (Dean Markley were mentioned) so its possible in theory at least... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MythSte Posted August 1, 2009 Share Posted August 1, 2009 Alternativly shoot them an e-mail and ask! Ive found Elixer to always be very accomodating with enquiries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted August 1, 2009 Author Share Posted August 1, 2009 Smart thinking Batman. Have sent them an email just now so we'll see what they say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted August 1, 2009 Author Share Posted August 1, 2009 FWIW I just compared a D'Addario acoustic guitar string with the bass in question and there was room to spare, so possible cause for optimism there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 [quote name='MythSte' post='557962' date='Aug 1 2009, 06:04 PM']Alternativly shoot them an e-mail and ask! Ive found Elixer to always be very accomodating with enquiries.[/quote] +1 to that. I bought a set once and the D string broke at the bridge when i first strung it up. They sent me a full set replacement, free of charge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted August 19, 2009 Author Share Posted August 19, 2009 No reply from Elixir but I found that Strings Direct sell single strings so I took the plunge and ordered a .024 guitar string- length-wise it seems long enough. Now I just need to order the other 6 strings and put the bridge back on the bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted August 28, 2009 Author Share Posted August 28, 2009 Well I got the full set of strings set up, tuned BEADGBE with a super light Elixirs set for the lower six and a single .024 guitar string for the high E. Seems to work perfectly- only problem was the ball end was a bit too small so I had to cannabalise one from an old set of strings and run the string through it. Bit of a bodge but seems to be holding, and it sounds great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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