A request for Don Dawson and D'addario

[JimmyM]

Hey Don, not one for addressing people directly in the open on TB, but I think this is an issue that concerns more than just me, so I thought I'd try it this one time.

After a little experimenting, I have come to the conclusion that Chromes are the flatwound string for me. I use the 40-95 set when I need flats (I also use XL's the same gauges when I need rounds). Currently I have a dead set of XL's on my Danelectro Longhorn but I want to switch it to Chromes because it's just not the same to use dead rounds. Unfortunately, the 40-95 set only comes in long scale. Not a big deal when using a short or medium scale bass that uses actual bass tuners, but Hofners and Danelectros use guitar tuners, and long scale strings put a lot of pressure on the E and A string tuner's posts that will inevitably result in the tuners breaking, and unwinding the wraps to make them fit on the guitar tuners will inevitably result in the string breaking.

So I'd like to request that you all start making them in short and medium scale sets with the 40-95 gauges, please. I know there probably isn't a gigantic customer base for a set like that, but I think a sustainable customer base for them does exist, and I'd like those folks who would buy 40-95 Chromes for Danos and Hofners to pipe in and show some love for the idea. If enough of us want them, hopefully you good folks at D'addario will find it in your hearts to satisfy us.

NOTE: Though I'm sure some of you folks will want to tell me to install real bass tuners or use a different type of string, let me head you off at the pass now. Thanks for the thoughts, but both these ideas are out of the question.

[JimmyM]

60 people viewed it and not one of you is interested in a 40-95 short scale set? Bah!

[dralionux]

I have two SX short scale and I also want 0.45 - 0.95 Chrome flats.

[fuzzy beard]

Count me in!

[mordechai]

I'd buy them.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

I will drop him a personal email to check this thread:

[jasper383]

I would buy them, too. I have a Danelectro.

Hofners, Danos, and flats all seem pretty popular right now, and I would think there would be a small market for light short scale flats.

[TimB 619]

I think it's a great idea

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

I will drop him a personal email to check this thread:

You da man, dawg!

[Bear_Bass]

ill buy them. Perfect gauge and great for my longhorn

[ddawson2012]

I'll gladly share this with the product development team. I can't speak to the eventuality of how this might actually become a product but I'll voice your interest and share the tread. This IS how some products come to be however. Thanks for sharing.

Hope everyone had a great New Years. I'm still recovering from my NYE gig.......ouch.

Don

[FunkMetalBass]

In the interim, Jimmy, have you considered using steel washers or something to push the ball end farther back? It might look a little weird having 2 inches of string hanging past the bridge, but it would certainly work.

Actually, the longhorn basses already look a little weird, so maybe the strings will complement the bass nicely.

[s_mcsleazy]

this is why i love talkbass. you get to talk directly to the company and players in alot of cases

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

In the interim, Jimmy, have you considered using steel washers or something to push the ball end farther back? It might look a little weird having 2 inches of string hanging past the bridge, but it would certainly work.

Actually, the longhorn basses already look a little weird, so maybe the strings will complement the bass nicely.

HAHAHA! Ya, I don't know...that would be quite a lot of washers to accommodate the Dano.

[FunkMetalBass]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

HAHAHA! Ya, I don't know...that would be quite a lot of washers to accommodate the Dano.

You could get away with shortening the string length by about 2" right? How about a 2" long brass tube? It would almost look like a standard feature.

Order Brass Brass Tube in Small Quantities at OnlineMetals.com

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by ddawson2012

I'll gladly share this with the product development team. I can't speak to the eventuality of how this might actually become a product but I'll voice your interest and share the tread. This IS how some products come to be however. Thanks for sharing.

Hope everyone had a great New Years. I'm still recovering from my NYE gig.......ouch.

Don

Ya, my NYE gig was an "ouch", too, and all I had to drink was one glass of champagne at midnight. We just had to get there insanely early. Fortunately, I got to leave at 12:30 since I played for mostly older folks at the Villages

Thanks very much for the reply, Don. Hope you can swing it. The Longhorn is quite mid scooped on its own and the extra mid content of Chromes would be quite welcome for me. The only bass I need it for would be my Longhorn, so in all honesty, I'd probably only be good for a couple sets, but I'd really like to think I'm not the only one who could use them. I certainly understand that it comes down to whether or not it would make business sense, so hopefully this thread will get enough of a reaction to demonstrate its viability.

[FunkMetalBass]

In thinking about it even more...

Another (albeit more intrusive) option is to drill holes and install ferrules behind the bridge to string the bass through the body and then up through the bridge holes. This would surely shorten the string by an inch or two, and it would look less ridiculous than 2" long brass bars extending from your bridge. Even better, it would seriously open up the number of strings you could use.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

You could get away with shortening the string length by about 2" right? How about a 2" long brass tube? It would almost look like a standard feature.

Order Brass Brass Tube in Small Quantities at OnlineMetals.com

Well first let's see how it goes with the good folks at D'addario. I don't know if I could handle looking at a piece of pipe sticking out of my bass...plus 2 inches is just enough on that bass to where I would no doubt get gored a few times But you're thinking, and I like and respect that! Thanks bro!

[ddawson2012]

OK - gotta meeting on the docket to discuss this in more detail. Shared thread with the necessary players. I'll keep you posted as information unfolds. There's a new boss starting this week so that will certainly slow things down a bit while he gets up-to-speed. If you need to contact me with more detailed questions - you can reach me at don.dawson2@daddario.com.

[bassbully]

As a SS bass player and chromes lover i think this is a great idea.