long scale strings on short scale bass

[beep.click]

What's the worst that could happen?

I love flatwounds, and it's hard enough finding long scale flatwounds in the local stores. Is there any good reason not to put long scale strings on a short scale bass???

[Bill Hullett]

Think of it in this way......

Think of putting 9's on your tele......now put extra heavy strings that start with about a 15....think of the added tension...

I think putting the longer scale bass strings would be even harder on the instrument than my comparison...
If I remember correctly a long scale E is around a 105.....and a short scale E is around 90....I would get the proper set

jmho....

Bill Hullett

[rhomco]

to Bill's reply...... If you stay with the proper gage size for your short scale but use a long scale version of that same string, the only difference will be the over all length. You will have a lot of length to cut off and you may loose the fancy red (usually) overwrap at the tuner end. Will this be a problem? Usually not BUT it could contribute to the wrapping losening over time which will kill the string. If you bend the string back over itself before you cut it to length and leave it tensioned (strung up) you will probably be OK. If you relax the strings for some reason, you may be asking for it.
Hope this hepls,
Rob

[Eric3349]

I think another problem would be that while you normally have the tapered part of a bass string around the tuner, the longer strings will force the full size wound part onto the peg. You'd probably have a tough time getting enough wraps, and flatwounds might not even want to wrap around the peg at all.

[Dave W]

The worst that can happen is that the core will separate from the windings or break, from winding the full diameter around the post. Either way the string will be useless. If it doesn't happen, you're home free. But it's not recommended.

You can order short scale flats online. LaBella offers their three Deep Talkin' flatwound sets in short scale, and juststrings.com carries them all. GHS Precision Flats, D'addario Chromes and IIRC a couple of others are also available in short scale.

[giginthesky]

i've heard they could unravel when cutting.

[rahbee]

i just got a bronco bass. i ordered flatwound strings.

so are there any good flatwound strings for short scale bass?

[Tim Armstrong]

I'm using GHS Precision Flatwounds on "Pinky", my Mutant Musicmaster Bass. Juststrings.com sells them in short-scale sets...

Cheers, Tim

[rhomco]

Most players consider any scale less than the Fender standard length of 34 Inches as "Short Scale". Some "short scale basses are 30 Inch, 32 Inch and probably others as well. Some of the string makers have strings labeled "Short Scale and Short Scale Medium". Best measure your old strings or thread up and measure with string. Dont forget the string thru the body needs more string length.
Gotta Love these kinds of problems in a world like we live in..........
Rob

[Tim Armstrong]

Yeah, Pinky is string-through, and I had to scrape the red silk back a little because it was sitting in the nut slots...

Cheers, Tim

[davidge1]

I used to play bass in bands. That was the instrument I started out on... I had a Fender Mustang. I dont think I ever knew there was such a thing as short-scale strings. I always used medium gauge strings.

As to what Bill said, it was my understanding (I could be wrong) that the strings on a shorter scale instrument would be under LESS tension, not more. I know that the same gauge guitar strings feel looser on a Les Paul than they do on a Telecaster. In fact, I remember reading that the longer scale of the Telecaster was designed specifically to create more string tension, thereby increasing sustain.

[Dave W]

Originally Posted by davidge1

I used to play bass in bands. That was the instrument I started out on... I had a Fender Mustang. I dont think I ever knew there was such a thing as short-scale strings. I always used medium gauge strings.

There was a Fender short scale flatwound set for Mustangs and Musicmasters. There was at least one Gibson short scale set, and LaBella has been making short scale sets since the 60s. There were Hofner branded short scale sets for sale in the US too.

Originally Posted by davidge1

As to what Bill said, it was my understanding (I could be wrong) that the strings on a shorter scale instrument would be under LESS tension, not more. I know that the same gauge guitar strings feel looser on a Les Paul than they do on a Telecaster. In fact, I remember reading that the longer scale of the Telecaster was designed specifically to create more string tension, thereby increasing sustain.

You're right, of course the tension would be less. But the strings that come on some short scale basses are very light gauge, and some of those (think Hofner and copies) are extra light duty construction basses. Even with the lower tension, Bill may have been thinking that some of these basses weren't designed for heavier gauge strings. He may be right.

OTOH, I know someone from another forum who uses 50-115 Boomers on his 70s short scale Les Paul Triumph.

[beep.click]

I'm familiar with roundwound and flatwound strings, and how they taper down, at the tuner end. But I've never even SEEN tapewounds, in real life.

Are tapewounds made the same way -- do they taper, or are they the same diameter, end to end?

[Dave W]

Tapewounds taper down at the tuner end too. And if you cut into the wound portion, the tape will unwind even if the steel string underneath survives.

[Bill Hullett]

OK ...
Now I'm confused.....I agree with your logic about bigger strings on a Les Paul...So with that thought , I'm incorrect in thinking that MORE tension would be created

....BUT....then my hillbilly logic sets in and I think to myself....Why does something like a Dano 4 string bass use such light strings and a P bass so much heavier and the tension between the two instruments is apx. the same feel? I'm not arguing the point....at this point I'm just asking the question because I don't know the answer...
Thanks
Bill Hullett

[Wally]

Actually, imho, the shorter scale instrument should run a larger gauge string. The shorter scale will reduce tension if the gauge remains the same as on a long scale instrument. By running a bit larger gauge, the tension will be somewhat comparable.
Ex: Ghs 'short scale' bass strings are listed as light at .045, .060, .075, and .095. The 'medium' gauge in the short scale runs .050, .070, .090, and .107.
Compare this to the medium set of long scales.....045, .065, .085 and .105.
Same holds true on guitars. I always run a bigger gauge on something like a Rickenbacker 325/John Lennon. Running lighter gauges results in more fret noise, 'slack' key sonics, more tuning problems. I once had a fellow bring in a Ric 325 with a set of 8's on it...he thought...little guitar, lighter strings. He couldn't play it in tune or keep it in tune. I set it up with 11's, and he has never looked back. 12's would not be out of the realm of consideration.

[Dave W]

Good points, Wally. Short scale Rick guitars come standard with a 12-54 set (with a wound 24 G). Yet when it comes to short scale basses, some string makers only offer their lightest set in short scale. Makes no sense.

[Wally]

GHS has always either had or will make what is needed. I note that DR offers Short Scale sets in only one tonality, and they gauge it in what I consider a long-scale medium(45,65,85,105) tension. On a short, that gauge will feel very light. D'Adarrio seems to offer lighter gauging only for short scale....
040,.045 on the G and nothing over 100 on the low E. I guess this is why I keep the GHS short scale with the .050 on the G on hand.
I usually set action higher on shorter scale instruments as well. THe reduced tension allows...for some it is a demand...higher action; and tone is clearer with stronger volume and sustain. This said, the higher gauging will/may allow
action to be a bit lower compared to the lighter gauge...if desired.