Regular flats on short scale. Which ones?

pc · #1 03-02-2009, 04:03 PM

I bought a cheap used short scale bass (g#174r body and neck) to pimp it up.

It used to be a 27,5" but it's being converted to a 30" fretless with monorail bridge(s)

So, that's my first question. Would a regular (long scale) set fit this short scale without problems? Will the string be ok on the tuners or they will be prone to breaking?

I'm heading to regular sets mainly because the offer is broader than short scale ones and it's easier to find them here (as if it was easy to find flats here

)

My plan is to use it to play some jazzy, slow-samba, bossa nova, elevator-oriented music with classical guitars unplugged. I'm also also planning to slowly introduce it to my main gig, which is mostly modern hard rock with two overdriven guitars and drums.

And there is my second question. Which flatwound strings would fit these styles? Upright-ish with the classical guitars and also being able to cut through on stage with the guitars?

Also, a light set on a 30" bass will be too floppy. I'm looking for a medium-light or even medium set so it can be playable.

thanks!

lunarpollen · #2 03-02-2009, 04:14 PM

My fave short-scale flats are Pyramid Gold. They are a bit pricy but they're worth it in my opinion.

srj · #3 03-02-2009, 04:17 PM

i use GHS shortscale flats on my shortscale bass , i havent used any other kind so i cant compare.

senorblues · #4 03-02-2009, 04:33 PM

I have strung reg scale fender flats on a shorty without problems. The D'adarrio chromes are most popular because they are cheap and come in short scale. I did not like them as they never sounded in tune to me and my tuner confirmed that with the needle swinging no matter what. I may have had a dead set. If I were to try flats on a short scale again it would be DR high beam flats. Sounds like what you might like. Smooth sounding but can cut through.

pc · #5 03-03-2009, 12:41 PM

Just bought a set of Fenders 9050L (45-95). I know they're stiff, but it will be compensated by the 30" neck.

Unfortunately, the bass will be ready only by the end of march... So, until then, no reviews...

bongomania · #6 03-03-2009, 12:48 PM

Errr... is it an unlined fretless? Because otherwise the conversion from 27" to 30" scale by only changing the bridge will throw all of the frets out of position.

That little detail aside, any of the short-scale flats on the market are fine. I like the LaBella's a lot, and you'll find dozens (if not hundreds) of threads about them here. There is absolutely no benefit to using long-scale strings on a short-scale, I don't know why you'd even consider that. There are loads of good short-scale stings on the market. Visit Juststrings.com.

Edit: I didn't see you are in Brazil, sorry. Are you able to order strings off the internet from North American web stores?

pc · #7 03-03-2009, 03:47 PM

It's a new fingerboard. Unlined, with side dots. As I told, this bass was the entry level for the manufacturer (Giannini) back in the day. I only decided to spend some money on it because it sounds great unplugged, and the woods are quite stable since it was built in the late 70's.

The neck didn't have a truss rod, only a steel bar, so I decided to install one and put an ipê fboard (It didn't have any, the frets were installed on the neck).

I've checked Juststrings, but their 40 buck international shipping is prohibitive. I usually buy strings from Mike's Chop Shop, but there's a store here that was selling these Fenders really cheap (old stock, maybe), so I've bought them.

About the Labellas, I found on ebay several short scale sets, for Hofners, Danos and regular shortscales. Do you know what's the difference between them?

tks!

markjazzbassist · #8 03-04-2009, 10:01 AM

check out juststrings.com and labella. they have a nice selection of short scale "deep talkin flats" and other strings.

i put a set on my 67 gibson eb-2d

Pilgrim · #9 03-04-2009, 10:20 AM

Just buy Labella Deep Talkin' flats in short scale and you'll be fine.

**Captain Bob** · #10 03-04-2009, 08:01 PM

I second the Pyramids. I use a custom set (from Gary Tallent's batch) on my Jerry Jones Longhorn, that are 040 to .095. Just be sure to wipe them well with naptha before installing. For a Hofner, I suggest the Hofner brand (which are made by Pyramid and is what Macca has used for several years now) The Hofner brand sets use a .100 E string as opposed to .105 of the Pyramid Gold. These strings last a long long time.

Ole Rumblekat · #11 03-05-2009, 07:18 AM

I really like the Labella Deep Talkin' flats. They are available in Light, Standard, and Medium guage sets. I went with the Standard guage (the middle ground) but would love to try the Mediums too. I couldn't find the standards online though, but my local music shop was happy to order them for me. (Support your local guys if you can).

pc · #12 03-06-2009, 02:03 PM

As I said before, Juststrings.com intl. shipping is prohibitive:

Quote:

International Express Mail - US$40.00 For Any Size Order

I want to try the Labellas, but there is at least 3 short scale models. Looks like Hofner's and Danelectro's are made for their bridge styles. Which one would fit my monorail style bridge?