What strings for a Silvertone 1444?

#4
Dano DC bass-1.jpg Well, first of all; welcome to Talk Bass! :thumbsup: Next; assuming that it has a real, adjustable truss rod (and not just a stiffening rod like some of the early Danos), then you could use whatever strings you like on your Silvertone. As long as they'll fit through the little holes on the tuners, and will pass through the notches in the tailpiece, that is. Personally, I like flats, and the Dano-gauge La Bella 760FX 30-96 set would probably be my choice. That's what's on one of the two Dano DC 59's that I own, in fact. But, as long as they will physically fit, and you have a real truss rod, then.. whatever makes you happy. Incidentally; this Dano has Hybrid Slinkys on it; but it's a Pro model, with bass-style tuners, and a different bridge.. Sounds kinda nice, too...:cool:
 
#5
Thanks for the replies! Actually, this is more of a technical problem because of how narrow the tuner holes are, the nut slots being narrow, and the way the strings are anchored to the tailpiece...I've never dealt with a bass that was this tough to find strings for. I think the bass requires short scale strings, which may solve the narrow tuner hole problem. At the tailpiece, bending the ball end of the string seems to anchor okay, but I'm not 100% confident the string would stay on under some heavy playing. It's tough to get the string anchored into the slot provided in the tailpiece. Makes me think certain strings work better than others. Thanks for the suggestions on the strings!

Thanks again everyone!
 
#7
graphicsdump said:
Actually, this is more of a technical problem because of how narrow the tuner holes are, the nut slots being narrow, and the way the strings are anchored to the tailpiece...I've never dealt with a bass that was this tough to find strings for. I think the bass requires short scale strings, which may solve the narrow tuner hole problem.
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The best thing to do is to measure the actual distance on your bass between where the ball end sits and where the string just clears the nut (A). Then measure from the ball end to the closest tuner post (B). You need a string with the "winding length" (ball end to silk/taper) somewhere between A and B to ensure a proper fit.

Then refer to this list to find what you need:

Bass String Lengths by Manufacturer
 
#11
JimmyM said:
Whatever you want to use.
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Except that like all Danos and similar scale basses with guitar size tuners only a limited number of string sets will work.....

I've got short scale D'Addario XL nickels on my 1444. These are my default strings on all Danos and Jerry Jones. Once the XL's break in I like the balance between dead rounds and the accentuated bottom of the 1444 single neck position p.up. Foam muting at the bridge takes even more of the roundwound edge off. For me that's not necessary.

GHS Pressurewounds have a smoother feel and once they break in sound a lot more like flats than any other round. These are also favorites of mine.

I've also tried the LaBella 760-DF Danelectro flats which sounded pretty good for new flats but at .042 .056 .065 .083 were too wimpy even for me. I'll probably come back to them at some point though and give them a longer chance to break in better so take my opinion on them right now with a grain of salt.

GHS flats and D'Addario Chromes also fit. The GHS are very traditional sounding with a stiffer feel and the Chromes are....well, Chromes.

There are probably other sets out there but these are what I've tried and know about. There are strings out there like Ti Flats (and maybe Pyramids???) that are labelled "short scale" but are made for 30" scale basses with a trapeze tailpiece like Hofners and do NOT fit Danos. Be cautious spending money on strings you're not sure will fit. I've never found a longer string I liked that didn't break the E if the fat part was forced around those tiny tuners.
 
#12
Jeff Bonny said:
Except that like all Danos and similar scale basses with guitar size tuners only a limited number of string sets will work.....
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A legit point. But that's the only advice I'd give the dude. Those guitar tuners totally rebel at long and medium scale E strings. I've got Dunlop flats on mine currently but since string choice is so personal, who knows if he'll like them? I'm pretty sure you wouldn't since they're quite low tension.
 
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#13
JimmyM said:
A legit point. But that's the only advice I'd give the dude. Those guitar tuners totally rebel at long and medium scale E strings. I've got Dunlop flats on mine currently but since string choice is so personal, who knows if he'll like them? I'm pretty sure you wouldn't since they're quite low tension.
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I don't mind low tension at all...hell I play TI Jazz Flats and even lower tension TI Jazz Rounds! It's just that the LaBella Dano set is reeeeeeeally small gauge. It's not even the super low tension so much as they feel more like baritone guitar strings. I agree string choice is very personal but with something like this you pretty much have to be prepared to spend a few bucks to try a few sets. Opinions from people who've tried a bunch of strings (almost) never hurts.
 
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#15
assuming that it has a real, adjustable truss rod (and not just a stiffening rod like some of the early Danos), then you could use whatever strings you like on your Silvertone. [/QUOTE]

Hi there! My Silvertone 1444 does not have an adjustable truss rod so I’m wondering what gauge is safe to use. I love the flat wounds that came on it but want to try round wounds for more sustain
 
#16
I'm not a big round wound fan, so I couldn't recommend any specific strings. However, I'd think that any rounds that were the correct length, and in the neighborhood of the 39-96 La Bella Dano Flats would be fine. The only light gauge rounds I've ever used were the old Rick 40-95 Light Gauge Nickel Rounds. Very nice strings, but.. no longer made. I'm sure there's some strings out there that would make you happy, though...:cool:
 
#17
I’ve been using GHS short scale flats (45-95) on mine for over a year and half now, they sound great on this bass. The tension is quite good for the non adjustable truss rod and the fit the nut.
 
#18
[QUOTE="I've got short scale D'Addario XL nickels on my 1444. These are my default strings on all Danos and Jerry Jones. Once the XL's break in I like the balance between dead rounds and the accentuated bottom of the 1444 single neck position p.up. .[/QUOTE]

What gauge D'Addario XL nickels do you use? Regular Light? 45 - 100 ?
 
#19
For what it is worth, years ago I played what I think was an original (it was definitely short scale), and the rep that owned it said he had la bella flats on it. I don't remember specifically if he said it was the custom set for danos or not, but I imagine so.

My impression was that it sounded amazing and I wanted one for a while after that. I still think about it from time to time and I don't really remember what it sounded like.
 
#20
Reviving and old thread but I have a dan Armstrong modified danelectro which is basically identical to the 1444 except for the headstock and a few other cosmetic features and the pickup wiring. Back in 2001 when I bought it I put on Labella Light gauge flat wound (760 FL) short scale strings and they are still on that bass. They fit perfectly and for my money are much better suited to the short scale danos than the danelecro labella set which is super thin and twangy. Being as broken in as they are the bass has a perfectly fat, rubbery tone and sounds great with either pick or finger style. IMO The shorter scale you go, the thicker gauge string you want because the tension is naturally lower on a shorter scale bass. The standard gauge (760 FS) might be even better. Only issue is that the holes on the small guitar peg heads needed to be expanded a bit.
 
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