"extra long" scale strings on an ordinary 34" scale bass?

Ingemar · #1 01-30-2007, 01:02 PM

Is there any disadvantages in stringing an ordinary 34" scale bass with "extra long" scale strings.(The strings will wrap around the str.post with it's full thickness)

saxnbass · #2 01-30-2007, 04:40 PM

I think I've done it without problems. Just gotta trim it quite a bit. If it's tapered, the taper shouldn't extend past the bridge.

Brass Nut · #3 01-30-2007, 04:58 PM

Same here, no problems at all.

Erick Lam · #4 01-30-2007, 05:37 PM

The cynical me says if they're D'Addario, they might not be long enough.

policyvote · #5 01-30-2007, 05:47 PM

I've twice wound a too-long string's playing surface around the post, and both times the string's core snapped when brought up to tension. I wouldn't recommend it. You have your choice of practically every string made in 34"; why used a 35" set?

Peace
policy

pickles · #6 01-30-2007, 06:49 PM

Not a good idea. Even if the string doesn't break, when you wind full windings around the post its going to cause more of an angle at the nut, which can cause tuning, intonation, and string feel issues.

Ingemar · #7 01-31-2007, 01:13 PM

Thanks for Your oppinions.

The thing was that I wanted to test some other strings on my Fender MIM Jazz and the only strings that I got at home was a set of Extra long ELIXIR .045-.105 But... I'll skip that and buy an regular longscale set.

babaseen · #8 12-22-2012, 12:07 PM

I was contemplating the same since the extra long set is cheaper...

Cutting the strings after an appropriate bend should be fine

SLaPiNFuNK · #9 12-22-2012, 06:19 PM

It depends on the "Extra Long" set. In the case of Elixir which is mentioned above, their "Long Scale" are 36.5" and their "Extra Long" are 38".

You can use 38" winding length strings on a Fender Jazz for example, but the full winding goes around the E string tuning post. Depending on the string and its flexibility, it may or may not work. (string could break).

Now, other brands like DR, their Extra Long Scale strings are over 40" long, while their "Long Scale" strings are 38" long. In this case I would NOT use Extra Long DR's on a Long Scale bass (depending on instrument construction of course).

When it comes down to it, it depends on string brand and instrument construction.

However another thing to keep in mind in the case of Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats, their Long Scale string set has heavier gauges than their Extra Long scale strings. If one was to install the Extra Long on a Long Scale they would be even lower tension than if they were the standard long scale.

Jazz Ad · #10 12-22-2012, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erick Lam

The cynical me says if they're D'Addario, they might not be long enough.

D'Addario are never long enough.

SLaPiNFuNK · #11 12-22-2012, 07:14 PM

D'Addario Long Scale = 36.25"
D'Addario Super Long = 38"

Measurements from Ball End to Taper / Silk

mmbongo · #12 12-22-2012, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

D'Addario Long Scale = 36.25"
D'Addario Super Long = 38"

Measurements from Ball End to Taper / Silk

Jason, is D'Addario still considering winding them a little longer?

SLaPiNFuNK · #13 12-22-2012, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

Jason, is D'Addario still considering winding them a little longer?

Yes, but until they are on the shelves I'm not mentioning it. Should be soon though... Long scale will be 36.825" (roughly)

Jazz Ad · #14 12-23-2012, 02:41 AM

On many basses with separate bridge or string through body, d'Addario long scale (which should be the way to go with a regular 34" bass, right?) are notorious for being too short and leaving a bit of silk or half winding going over the nut.
I got caught myself a couple times.

Hobobob · #15 12-23-2012, 03:05 AM

Every time I've had full string thickness wrapping around the post, it snapped. Learn from my mistakes.

SLaPiNFuNK · #16 12-23-2012, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

On many basses with separate bridge or string through body, d'Addario long scale (which should be the way to go with a regular 34" bass, right?) are notorious for being too short and leaving a bit of silk or half winding going over the nut.
I got caught myself a couple times.

You should measure from the back of the ball end till the nut to see the appropriate winding length for your instrument.

Jazz Ad · #17 12-23-2012, 10:07 AM

What I do is buy other brands in regular scale and I don't need to measure.

SLaPiNFuNK · #18 12-23-2012, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

What I do is buy other brands in regular scale and I don't need to measure.

Every brand has their own length for each "scale"

IMHO strings should be sold by required winding length rather than scale.

Here is a list of string lengths by manufacturer, you can reference it if you do not want to guess anymore.

http://www.bassstringsonline.com/Bas...r_ep_47-1.html