High tension, short scale?

mambo4 · #1 04-29-2009, 02:06 PM

I'll be picking up a hot-rodded squire bronco today, and I'm curious about what other short scale players do for strings.
I understand that looser strings is one of the compromises you face in a 30" scale.
I am used to TI Jazz Flats on my Jazz bass, and I prefer higher tension strings in general, and I usually play finger style...
But I am thinking of breaking out in the opposite direction , using rounds and a pick with the bronco.
But, I'd still like to get the highest tension I can out of it...

so what kind of high tension rounds would you recommend for a bronco?

mjolnir · #2 04-29-2009, 02:10 PM

I use heavy gauge strings on my short scale P, I forget how heavy or what brand, but they're heavy enough to be higher tension than my 34" scale basses. Works for me.

...Maybe heavy gauge DR's...

Andrew Jones · #3 04-29-2009, 02:13 PM

Ddarrio's they're stiff.

maybe try 50-110

Labella jamersons flats?

Aj

cmewhinney · #4 04-29-2009, 02:17 PM

Low tension is one of the benefits of short scale basses- that's why they have such a big fundamental, the string can vibrate farther.

Andrew Jones · #5 04-29-2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmewhinney

Low tension is one of the benefits of short scale basses- that's why they have such a big fundamental, the string can vibrate farther.

I don't believe that right. I think there's less overtones, leading to the perception of more fundamental.

Aj

fretlessguy · #6 04-30-2009, 08:35 PM

These come to mind: a D'Addario XL short scale set, which is about .50-.105. Very high tensioned for a short scale set of rounds.

FG

Thangfish · #7 04-30-2009, 08:46 PM

I don't have an answer, as I still haven't settled on strings for my short scale.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mambo4

I understand that looser strings is one of the compromises you face in a 30" scale.
I am used to TI Jazz Flats on my Jazz bass, and I prefer higher tension strings in general,

I really don't understand this.

You are used to TI Jazz Flats and you prefer higher tension strings?

In my experience TI Jazz Flats are the lowest tension, slinkiest flats on the market. Such low tension, that I have trouble playing them.

cmewhinney · #8 04-30-2009, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Jones

I don't believe that right. I think there's less overtones, leading to the perception of more fundamental.

Sure. The lower tension allows the string to vibrate farther which decreases overtones and leads to the perception of more fundamental.

mndean · #9 04-30-2009, 10:48 PM

I put a set of D'Addario Chromes (.100-.045) on my short scale and I have to say they're higher tension than I was expecting. I wanted flats, and they were all I could find. A pleasant surprise.

dmusic148 · #10 04-30-2009, 10:55 PM

DR 'Low Riders' have higher tension than DR's other varieties, but I'm not sure how they compare to other brands. I use a heavy-ish set, 50-110, on a bass that's tuned down all the time. Makes it feel as if it's at concert pitch.

meta · #11 04-30-2009, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretlessguy

These come to mind: a D'Addario XL short scale set, which is about .50-.105. Very high tensioned for a short scale set of rounds.

FG

I play these strings (actually got the medium scale medium gauge d'addario's and cut them down to short - where required) on my mustang 30 inch. tight strings, able to drop to D tuning easily on the E (not that I ever need to). flats with high tension. can't quite go bead though, but so what?

also heard that the pyramid gold flats are higher tension.

stay away from rotosound though.... rotosound sucks! at least for short-scale. got a set of 77s that I couldn't even put into concert tuning on the mustang (e string had no definition until tuned up to f#)... (the rotosounds worked fine on a jazz though... they just suck for short-scale)

troyus · #12 05-01-2009, 12:42 AM

daddario

mambo4 · #13 05-01-2009, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thangfish

In my experience TI Jazz Flats are the lowest tension, slinkiest flats on the market.

Still higher tension than the rounds on my Bronco

and the difficulty you have with TI's is the very reason I posted this...don't want floppy noodles on my Bronco.

Thanks to all for the suggestions.

alexclaber · #14 05-01-2009, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmewhinney

Sure. The lower tension allows the string to vibrate farther which decreases overtones and leads to the perception of more fundamental.

The shorter scale gets you less top and less bottom. So less fundamental and less high overtones but more 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc harmonic.

Alex

FranF · #15 05-01-2009, 11:00 AM

Daddario XLs

David S · #16 05-05-2009, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meta

stay away from rotosound though.... rotosound sucks! at least for short-scale. got a set of 77s that I couldn't even put into concert tuning on the mustang (e string had no definition until tuned up to f#)... (the rotosounds worked fine on a jazz though... they just suck for short-scale)

I have used the Billy Sheehan Rotos on my Mustang for years.
Think I started about the time they came out(? ~ 1990).

My '66 Mustang does have a badass bridge, but that gives up the string threw body....

The gauge helps IMHO- good lows, even vol & tone across the strings, nice 'bite' on the G.

David

loopee · #17 05-20-2009, 04:19 AM

I put some Rotos 77 on my short scale (Landing LDS2) and I can't intonate the E string at all. The other strings barely intonate. They also won't stay in tune. I paid $60 cdn for them. Not impressed at all. I also find them sticky. Don't know what other flats to put on it. I had GHS Pressurewounds on before and they were really nice but just decided to put flats on it for a new blues band I just joined.

mongo2 · #18 05-20-2009, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexclaber

The shorter scale gets you less top and less bottom. So less fundamental and less high overtones but more 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc harmonic.

I've found it's easily handled by a tweak of the amp eq.

mongo2 · #19 05-20-2009, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mambo4

I'll be picking up a hot-rodded squire bronco today, and I'm curious about what other short scale players do for strings.

I'm currently using D'Addario Chromes 100-45 shortscales on one an old set of their long scale version on another.

I'm 'rodding one of mine, how was your's rodded?

Got pix?

Here's a previous incarnation of mine:

Squier body, Mustang neck, Hipdshot Ultralight tuners, Musicmaster bridge modded for toploading, EMG SA pickup and controls, Mustang knobs, covered pickguard.

manmountain8 · #20 05-20-2009, 06:18 PM

You just need thicker strings and I'd recommend getting short scale strings so you don't wind the string without backing on the post and break it. I like Dr Highbeams but it looks like they only have one size for short scale, 45-105. You could stand to go even heavier if you want more tension.