NBD - Taylor GS Mini Travel Bass

[Killing Floor]

That’s so cool. And congrats.

And clearly Mrs. Thumpenstein knows there’s no cash above the 12th hash. That’s a great looking bass.

 

[cavemanbass]

One thing I love about my Taylor (mini bass mahogany) is that it has perfect intonation - unusual in a fixed saddle ABG. Also the setup was perfect right out of the box. Ok two things.
I could not acclimate to the strings though, replaced them with nylon core short scale LaBellas. Minor surgery was required, but for me it was necessary, both for feel and tone. Most people seem to like the stock strings, just personal preference.

 

[DrThumpenstein]

One thing I love about my Taylor (mini bass mahogany) is that it has perfect intonation - unusual in a fixed saddle ABG. Also the setup was perfect right out of the box. Ok two things.
I could not acclimate to the strings though, replaced them with nylon core short scale LaBellas. Minor surgery was required, but for me it was necessary, both for feel and tone. Most people seem to like the stock strings, just personal preference.

I’m definitely going to give the stock strings a good tryout, and I am happy with the tone so far, but I do prefer flats for the same reasons as you. And I do like LaBellas.

I’m guessing that the surgery involved shortening the strings without disrupting the windings? Maybe put a 90 degree bend and cut short enough for a few laps around the posts? I’m pleased to hear that there may be a hack to get some flats on it at some point. Thanks for posting that!

 

[skycruiser]

Guitar Scale Acoustic Basses

Tons of good info here!

 

[HaphAsSard]

I’m definitely going to give the stock strings a good tryout, and I am happy with the tone so far, but I do prefer flats for the same reasons as you. And I do like LaBellas.

The La Bellas @cavemanbass mentions are not flats. They're larger-gauged than, but not very different in construction from the original D'Addarios = nylon-core silver-plated copper (as opposed to phosphor bronze) roundwounds:
Taylor GS Mini-e Bass (&ff.)

Here's a relatively new nylon-core, metal (chrome-nickel) flatwound option by Pyramid:
https://www.thomannmusic.com/pyramid_235_acoustic_bass_gs_miniset.htm

[There is also one by Galli (UXB910C, originally developed with Kala and also sold under their brand as KA-BASS-4FW)
Galli KA-BASS-4FW Chrome Steel Flat Wound Ukulele Bass, 23 scale
but it has significantly larger gauges, and probably a good deal more tension.]

A caveat: installing the Pyramids (and the Gallis) would entail reworking the slots of the peculiar bridge pins the Taylor sports, in order for them to accommodate the larger bulk of the silked ends of the flats. Or ordering an extra set of pins from Taylor, so as to keep one intact:
Flat wounds on a Taylor GS Mini-e Bass?
(It is possible not all pins would need the above treatment: for one or three, just shaving the silk may be all that's needed - perhaps not even that, as far as the G.)

 

[cavemanbass]

The La Bellas @cavemanbass mentions are not flats. They're larger-gauged than, but not very different in construction from the original D'Addarios = nylon-core silver-plated copper (as opposed to phosphor bronze) roundwounds:
Taylor GS Mini-e Bass (&ff.)

Here's a relatively new nylon-core, metal (chrome-nickel) flatwound option by Pyramid:
https://www.thomannmusic.com/pyramid_235_acoustic_bass_gs_miniset.htm

[There is also one by Galli (UXB910C, originally developed with Kala and also sold under their brand as KA-BASS-4FW)
Galli KA-BASS-4FW Chrome Steel Flat Wound Ukulele Bass, 23 scale
but it has significantly larger gauges, and probably a good deal more tension.]

A caveat: installing the Pyramids (and the Gallis) would entail reworking the slots of the peculiar bridge pins the Taylor sports, in order for them to accommodate the larger bulk of the silked ends of the flats. Or ordering an extra set of pins from Taylor, so as to keep one intact:
Flat wounds on a Taylor GS Mini-e Bass?
(It is possible not all pins would need the above treatment: for one or three, just shaving the silk may be all that's needed - perhaps not even that, as far as the G.)

Correct, the LaBellas are rounds. They are the right length, but to fit into the bridge I had to file the slot I think just on E string. The pin works, I just use it like a regular pin and ignore the slot in the pin.
The E also won’t fit the tuner slot, used a pair of pliers to flatten the string end to fit. It won’t go down the hole though.
I’ll need to try the pyramid flats, those were not available when I got my Taylor.