Short-Scale String Recommendations?

OkkultistBass · #1 08-02-2011, 05:07 AM

So, on the '78 Mustang I got, the strings are pretty dead and dirty. So I thought I'd take a trip to guitar center and try some new strings.

Not sure if there's a certain string recommended for short scales, but I usually use 50-110 gauge strings. I've wanted to try DR Lo-Riders for a while, but I'm not too sure. I've been playing GHS Big Boomers for a long time.

I really like the feeling of Blue Steels, but I want to try something new. I guess I've kind of narrowed it down to Rotosound RS66LE Heavies, DR Lo-Rider Heavies, Dean Markley Blue Steel mediums, or those new Dean Markley Skullbusters (They look pretty cool).

What do you recommend?

SLaPiNFuNK · #2 08-02-2011, 09:54 AM

With actual "Short Scale" sets, it is going to be hard to find a 50-110 set. Not many if any make 50-110 in Medium Scale either...

D'Addario XL Nickels are 50-105 in Short Scale (their heaviest Short Scale gauge)

Boomers - .050 .070 .090 .107 in Short Scale

Ken Smith Stainless Steel - .044 .063 .084 .106

Rotosound 66 in Short Scale - .040 .050 .075 .090

So Close but not exactly 50-110 in short scale...

rllefebv · #3 08-02-2011, 11:30 AM

For your Mustang you're more than likely going to need some medium-scale (32") strings to accomodate the thru-body stringing... String specific sites such as the one listed in the previous posters' sig or JustStrings are going to have a broader selection os strings... JustStrings has really fast shipping. I've never used BassStringsOnline, so I can't comment there...

I've never used shorties in the gauge you've listed, but I have used the heavy D'Addario XLs and they're excellent strings.

-robert

OriginalSnub · #4 08-02-2011, 11:42 AM

I would check out La Bella as they tend to have a wider selection of short and medium scale sets compared to most.

Pilgrim · #5 08-02-2011, 02:11 PM

Labella Deep talkin' Flats come in an .049-.109 set in either short or medium scale. I think those would be just about right. Deep Talkin' Flats and Fenders are made for each other...and they last for years if not decades.

OkkultistBass · #6 08-02-2011, 04:00 PM

Okay, I didn't know you had to buy short scale strings, I thought you could just cut them.
These looks reasonable.
La Bella Electric Bass Guitar Deep Talkin' Bass Med. Short Scale, .044 - .110, Stainless Steel Roundwound, 760RM-S

boynamedsuse · #7 08-02-2011, 10:03 PM

I agree with rllefebv that you want to go medium scale with the Mustang. I have a Mustang RI and medium D'Addarios fit just right.

JimmyM · #8 08-02-2011, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OkkultistBass

Okay, I didn't know you had to buy short scale strings, I thought you could just cut them.
These looks reasonable.

Honestly, on a Mustang, you could. It's best to use medium scale strings, but you can use long scales. The posts are big enough to handle it if the thick part of the winding goes around the post.

stingraysvt · #9 08-02-2011, 10:34 PM

Whatever you can find in the music store

My old musicmaster needed strings and the store only had GHS boomers short scale, so it got Boomers! Lol!

OkkultistBass · #10 08-03-2011, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stingraysvt

Whatever you can find in the music store

My old musicmaster needed strings and the store only had GHS boomers short scale, so it got Boomers! Lol!

Boomers tend to get a little rough, they peeled a layer of skin off, so I had to stop using them.

I want to try those Thomastik Roundwounds, but they're so freaking expensive.

harpdude · #11 08-09-2011, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boynamedsuse

I agree with rllefebv that you want to go medium scale with the Mustang. I have a Mustang RI and medium D'Addarios fit just right.

I agree. I just put a set of medium D'Addario XL's on my Mustang RI and the length is perfect. I went with the 45-100 set, and I am thinking that I should have gotten the 50-105 set, as the 45-100 feels kinda loose and I would prefer the feel to be a bit tighter.

boynamedsuse · #12 08-09-2011, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harpdude

I agree. I just put a set of medium D'Addario XL's on my Mustang RI and the length is perfect. I went with the 45-100 set, and I am thinking that I should have gotten the 50-105 set, as the 45-100 feels kinda loose and I would prefer the feel to be a bit tighter.

Interesting. I bought 45-100 and 50-105 sets, but after trying the 45-100, I knew I would not be using the heavier set. (I may need to get a supporting membership so I can sell them here. LOL.)

joplin · #13 09-14-2011, 09:21 AM

I put a set of DR Lo-Riders Nickel 45-105 on my new Epiphone EB-0 and they sound real nice. The tension is a little stiff - you can dig in for some hefty thump and not get rattles and buzzing. This is with the stock pickup. They do have a bit more in the mids department than I expected but not glaring - a touch of growl and good definition.

The 105 E string was a bit tricky to get on but the A D G were no trouble at all.

For the E I had to flatten the last 1/2" of the string in a vise so it would fit sideways through the winder (don't try to get it into the hole in the center) - AND I had to be very gentle and wind it slowly so it wouldn't break at the sharp bend where it started going around the winder. I cut the string a half inch long just in case it would break, and sure enough the first time it broke but it held fine the 2nd try.

On the 2nd try I held the end of the string with my fingers and wound it a full turn with the winder before I pulled it tight, then put it into the bridge, tightened a bit more, backed off and made sure it wasn't twisted, then re-tightened slowly again.

It was a bit of work but well worth it - really big low end on the E with enough mids for some definition - all fingerstyle.