Piccolo Bass

[Michael Yoder]

In response to Brian R., who wrote: I had a left hand injury that ruined my ability to play chords on guitar
any more, but I can play chords on a bass because of the wider string
spacing. I have looked at the Mikro and Squier Mini as possible platforms
for a piccolo bass that I could chord on as well as play melodic lines. The
Mikro line includes a 5 string, so stringing it E A D G C or maybe A D G
B E would do the trick. With the 4 string Squier I'd have to decide what
tuning to use...A D G C, D G B E, or something else entirely like a cello
or mandolin tuning in fifths...C G D A or G D A E.
 
I'm curious about what strings you use. The Mikros have a longer scale than
a guitar (28.6" I think) so using actual electric guitar strings wouldn't
work. Did you find a short scale piccolo set or cobble something else
together?
 
--Brian R.

I use the GHS piccolo strings and I believe I tried the D'Addario piccolo strings as well.  In both cases, three of the strings are wound.  I find them a tad more "taught" than guitar strings, but not by much.  They're widely available.  I know what you mean about the spacing between strings on an electric guitar.  Since I strike the string bass style, a guitar wouldn't work for me either.  I really don't play many chords on the piccolo bass--thus far I play 2-note "chords" only, and mostly lead lines and melodies.  My guess is that if you're playing chords on a bass already, the piccolo configuration would be great.  I haven't tried the piccolo strings on the Squier Mini, but my guess is that the Ibanez Mikro might be a tad better because of more pickup settings available. 

Michael Y.