35" scale : what are my flatwound options?

osciphex · #1 03-06-2006, 06:10 PM

I'm planning on buying a 35'' scale 5 string MTD kingston fretless, and I feel like I'd like to put a slightly lower tension set of flatwound strings on it.

These forums seem to imply that TI Flats work best for this kind of application, but I noticed that TI doesn't sell a 35" scale set, only 34". I also checked out Daddario Chromes... they have 34" and 36" scales...

What do people with 35" 5 string fretlesses do for strings? Is there some reason I would not want to put flats on this bass?

Philbiker · #2 03-07-2006, 06:38 AM

LaBella makes their excellent Deep Talkin' Bass flats in extra long lengths. You may have to order them online from someplace like www.juststrings.com to find them, but they're out there. I used to love these strings on my 35" Dean Edge 5 string.

Fender strings may work for longer scale lengths since they're designed with some extra length to accomodate their through-body stringing. I'm not sure though.

billbern · #3 03-07-2006, 08:15 AM

I've got Ti Jazz Flats JF-365, strung through the body on my 55-01(35")
Bill

osciphex · #4 03-07-2006, 12:44 PM

Oh, I see TI indeed makes super long scale flats.. there just isn't an entry for them on their website..

5 string newbie question : Can I put 36" strings on a 35" scale bass? Won't they get too long up by the nut? Or is 1 inch not a big deal?

billbern · #5 03-07-2006, 01:07 PM

I don't know the exact lengths. The JF-345 set fit 55-01, BTB1005 and Millennium 5Plus through the BRIDGE, with no problem at the tuning pegs. As I said the JF-365 set will fit through the BODY on the 55-01.
Bill

bstringrandy · #6 03-08-2006, 11:37 AM

I have a set of TI JF-345 Flats on my 35" Dean Edge 5 Fretless. They fit fine with plenty of length. It might depend on how your tuning pegs are set up and if you string through the body. The JF-365 Flats were too long on the Dean. The JF-345s sound great and have a low tension which seems to make them easier to play and slide around on....

#7 03-09-2006, 08:08 AM

Can anyone recommend some high tension 35" scale flats? From what I've read, the Jazz Flats probably aren't my thing. Thanks.

Dr. PhunkyPants · #8 03-09-2006, 08:10 AM

Get the Lakland JO flats. They're higher tension than the TI flats and have the scale length you need, on account of the long lakland string-thru bridge.

Order through BassCentral or another similar shop.

Davo737 · #9 03-09-2006, 08:26 AM

I'll second the Lakland JO Flats. I order them from juststrings.com for my Modulus Q5. Tension wise, I don't know the exact specs, but from experience, I'd place them between the TIs and the LaBellas.

#10 03-09-2006, 08:21 PM

I'm actually using the JO flats now and I find them to be too floppy for my tastes. Does La Bella make a 35" scale 5 string set or should I just suck it up and deal with it? Thanks, guys.

Davo737 · #11 03-10-2006, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by appler

I'm actually using the JO flats now and I find them to be too floppy for my tastes. Does La Bella make a 35" scale 5 string set or should I just suck it up and deal with it? Thanks, guys.

Yep - they do. But, as far as I know, they only come in the medium gage: .049-.109 with a .128 B-string. If you find the Lakland's too floppy, then these should be right up your alley.

fretlessrock · #12 03-10-2006, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by osciphex

Oh, I see TI indeed makes super long scale flats.. there just isn't an entry for them on their website..

5 string newbie question : Can I put 36" strings on a 35" scale bass? Won't they get too long up by the nut? Or is 1 inch not a big deal?

Here is a link to a chart of string/silk lengths for the TI line.

http://www.vintagebass.com/thedudepi...ad.php?t=12214

I have used JF345's on my Turner Electroline which is 35", and on a Lakie 55-01. I never needed the extra length of the 36" set. But you should be able to use that chart to figure out which will work for you.

Philbiker · #13 03-10-2006, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davo737

Yep - they do. But, as far as I know, they only come in the medium gage: .049-.109 with a .128 B-string. If you find the Lakland's too floppy, then these should be right up your alley.

Agreed. As I wrote above, I used these strings on my 35" Dean and they were the bees knees.