Short scale bass string options

[bthiemann80]

I have a Eastwood Hi Flyer bass on the way and am clueless on what strings to use. Is it permissible to use regular 32" scale strings on a short scale bass? She'll be wearing flatwounds, any suggestions for playing a half step down w/out much flop?

[thrashingbass]

There are excellent flatwounds everywhere, but if you want good tension with your flats on a short scale bass, this is IMHO what would work best for you (and what I would do-I have my short scale tuned to D, and use high tension La Bella Hard Rockin Steels, and the tension has a medium feel, not floppy at all, but not too tight):

Just Strings

I have tried both Chromes and Rotosound Jazz for my bass, but they offer only one tension, which is usually too floppy (to me, that is) even in standard E tuning. Manufacturers don't seem to consider the specific needs of a few players, and just go for sales. Note that I LOVE roto flats, but the tension on a short scale is quite the big minus, especially if you are tuning anthing lower then E. Chromes are great too, similar problem. Great strings that aren't being thoughtfully produced for short scales, IMHO.

The only flats I would get for my bass, not only because of the tone but also because of their good tension would be those Deep Talkin flats. I was considering the same a few months back, and although I still have my La Bella roundwounds on, the only option for my bass for D tuning must be the Deep Talkin flats-too bad for Rotosound, for I do like their flats (amazing on a long scale.)

[dlenaghan]

They're not flatwounds, but I've had great luck on my 30.5" Guild JS-II with DR Sunbeams, and I've been using the regular long scale set. I haven't had any intonation problems at all, though I can see they might be lower tension than some like. I might check out DR to see if they've got a tape-wound or ground-wound set that suits you.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

More companies are making Short Scale strings these days. And depending on the instruments construction you may be able to get away with using long scale strings like dlenaghan says (but DR does also make short scale Sunbeams FWIW).

Flat wounds with not too much flop tuned down a half step? The majority of the ones out there will work except for one brand I can think of which is very low tension to begin with (T-I).

[fretlessguy]

I used a set of D'Addario Chromes on an SX fretless short scale for a while. The tension was still quite good even when when I would tune the E to Drop D. In fact, I even detuned the entire bass down to DGCF without any floppiness. Still had plenty of tension.
D'Addario Electric Bass Chromes Flat Wound Short Scale, .045 - .100, ECB81S