Does anyone have very short scale flats?

GregDunn · #1 09-21-2010, 02:07 PM

I will have to order them, because no place within driving distance carries them in stock. I'm looking to put flats on my Mikro bass (scale 28.6", 30" from tailpiece to nut).

I do have a set of D'Addario short rounds (EXL160S), which I opened last night and held up to the bass. They are extremely long - as in, "I can use these on my 34" scale bass with plenty of string left over".

I'm afraid the flats will be so long I'll have to wrap the un-tapered portion around the tiny tuner posts on the Mikro.

Does anyone have a set they could give me measurements on? And tell me if they have thread wraps? The short rounds I have do not.

Darkstrike · #2 09-21-2010, 02:10 PM

Could you buy some flat Bass VI strings, and just use the EADG out of the set?

MikeBC · #3 09-21-2010, 02:21 PM

Rotosound makes several types in short scale sets, including flats, some of which are quite thick. However, I believe their shortest length is 30". You'd have to check their guides. In particular look at Tru-Bass sets for flats.

lunarpollen · #4 09-21-2010, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

Could you buy some flat Bass VI strings, and just use the EADG out of the set?

No, those are medium-scale to accommodate the length between the bridge and where they anchor in the tail...

GregDunn · #5 09-21-2010, 02:31 PM

Yeah, usually the guideline is something like 32" tailpiece-to-nut for the strings I have looked at, so I'm definitely on the low side. All input is appreciated, thanks, and I'm following up on the suggestions already.

uncle Bob · #6 09-24-2010, 12:34 PM

Once upon a time ago, when all makers were placing their tailpieces in the same place, the word Scale had meaning. It was the accurate measure from the bridge to the nut.
Over the past 10 or 15 years as there have been more and more developments in bass design, so to has the tailpiece moved down the body.
We try to teach players that an accurate measure is from the ball end to just over the nut. In this way we know how much winding is necessary for the instrument.
With roundwounds you may be able to get away with a tad longer string, but the Flats are not forgiving. Flats by nature of manufacture, are not flexible. Whild installing any flatwound set be certain that you donot get the polished part too close to the tunning peg, as it will break the core and render the string useless...Thi is why we ask for the accurate measurement.
Another good thing to remember as in themention in one of the posts, is note the type of ball end. Some instruments, like the Hofner and some Jerry Jopnes favor a smaller ball end.
Th option to consider using the flatwound set we make for the Fender Bass VI is only partially useable, but can work
Uncle Bob