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11-19-2007, 03:00 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Jersey Shore, USA | |  Short scale flat tension (D'Addario vs. Rotosound)
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Not too long ago, I put a set of short scale D'addario Chromes on my '70 Gibson EB-0. The person I bought the bass from had rounds on there (yuck!  ), and I obviously wanted to go with a more vintage tone.
A few days after switching them out, I noticed that the action was a bit higher - I guess the neck bowed ever so slightly. Is this due to the higher tension of the Chromes, do you think?
I just bought a set of Rotosound flats (also short scale) off of TB'er 'El Whappo'. They're a slightly lighter guage overall than the D'Addarios. Do you think this would help?
The main reason I'm asking is because I know the short scale, mahogany neck Gibsons are "famous" for their headstocks snapping off, as well as cracks forming in the neck joint. And I'd obviously like to avoid any of these things happening...
Sorry for being so long winded...   Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!!!
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11-19-2007, 03:34 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Highway 61 | | | If you like the Chromes, use them after tightening your truss 1/4 turn. If that doesn't straighten your neck enough, try another 1/4 turn. If yours is a '70 there should be a volute at the the nut end of the neck to help prevent it from breaking. |
11-19-2007, 03:51 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Jersey Shore, USA | | Thanks for the response, Glenn!
Actually, there's no volute - I'm guessing it's a '70 based off of the dating info on the pots. The pic below is my exact bass (taken from the 1970 catalog):
I'd have no problem giving a 1/4 turn of the truss rod, but I'm (more than) just a little paranoid... I'd rather change a set of strings than need a headstock repair, y'know?
__________________
"People don't notice what I'm doing...until I stop doing it."
Spector Club #13, Blue Bass Club #13, NJ Bassists Club #98, Bassists w/ Beards Club #66
Last edited by Buskman : 02-08-2008 at 01:33 PM.
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11-19-2007, 03:55 PM
| | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Buskman  Not too long ago, I put a set of short scale D'addario Chromes on my '70 Gibson EB-0. The person I bought the bass from had rounds on there (yuck! ), and I obviously wanted to go with a more vintage tone.
A few days after switching them out, I noticed that the action was a bit higher - I guess the neck bowed ever so slightly. Is this due to the higher tension of the Chromes, do you think?
I just bought a set of Rotosound flats (also short scale) off of TB'er 'El Whappo'. They're a slightly lighter guage overall than the D'Addarios. Do you think this would help?
The main reason I'm asking is because I know the short scale, mahogany neck Gibsons are "famous" for their headstocks snapping off, as well as cracks forming in the neck joint. And I'd obviously like to avoid any of these things happening...
Sorry for being so long winded... Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!!! | You can get chromes in a 95-40 gauge, may be worth trying them , I doubt you will get neck problems with that gauge. |
11-19-2007, 04:15 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Jersey Shore, USA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by markdavid You can get chromes in a 95-40 gauge, may be worth trying them , I doubt you will get neck problems with that gauge. | The Rotosounds I bought are guaged 40-50-75-90, so in that case I think I'm going to give them a shot, just to be on the safe side. Thanks!
Speaking of which - has anyone here had experience with the Roto flats? They're the 'monel' ones, not the tapes...
Decent tone? How's the tension on these? Feel free to chime in, people...
__________________
"People don't notice what I'm doing...until I stop doing it."
Spector Club #13, Blue Bass Club #13, NJ Bassists Club #98, Bassists w/ Beards Club #66
|
11-19-2007, 05:10 PM
| | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Buskman The Rotosounds I bought are guaged 40-50-75-90, so in that case I think I'm going to give them a shot, just to be on the safe side. Thanks!
Speaking of which - has anyone here had experience with the Roto flats? They're the 'monel' ones, not the tapes...
Decent tone? How's the tension on these? Feel free to chime in, people... | Tension on the Rotos is a little on the high side but at the gauge you've mentioned I cant see it being a problem , especially since the bass is shortscale and shortscale basses generally have a lower string tension , tone is quite bright for flats but the rotos break in quite quickly |
11-20-2007, 09:01 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Jersey Shore, USA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by markdavid Tension on the Rotos is a little on the high side but at the gauge you've mentioned I cant see it being a problem , especially since the bass is shortscale and shortscale basses generally have a lower string tension , tone is quite bright for flats but the rotos break in quite quickly | Thanks, markdavid! 
__________________
"People don't notice what I'm doing...until I stop doing it."
Spector Club #13, Blue Bass Club #13, NJ Bassists Club #98, Bassists w/ Beards Club #66
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