short scale string reviews and opinions

[tony moore]

i have a few short scale basses (dearmond starfire, hagstrom swede and f-400) and it's time to change strings. i'm only familiar thomastik jazz flats and labella black tapewound.

can anyone share their review or opinions on other short scale strings?

thanks!

tony

[mongo2]

To me D'Addario Chrome and Labella flatwound shorts sound like their longer cousins.

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Originally Posted by mongo2

To me D'Addario Chrome and Labella flatwound shorts sound like their longer cousins.

+1

Chromes seem to be the best since they have more tension than the Labellas... but I really like the Labellas too.

[fretlessguy]

For round wound I wouldn't use anything less than a .40-.100 set. If you like higher tension, then D'Addario has a set of .45-.105 XLs that are really punchy. GHS Pressurewounds are really good sounding, but are a little on the floppy side.
I had a set of D'Addario half rounds on my short scale SX Jazz Clone fretless, which sounded really thick and felt just right in the middle tension wise. I am considering putting a set of Chromes on it next.
I try to avoid using .40-.95 sets due to the floopy factor, but SIT makes a set in that gauge in nickel (powerwounds is what I think they are called) that are really great.
GHS and D'Addario make a wide selection of short scale bass strings, and the best place I have found to get them is a www.bpstrings.com. Bob is really a great fellow, and can get them if he is out quickly, but usually has them in stock.

[greggster59]

I've mostly used Alembic Compression Wound (45-105) on my Rumblekat. Nice tone, easy on the fingers and last a long time.

Currently trying out Ken Smith Rounds (similar gauge). I like them also though not as much as the Alemebics.

Birdsong Cortobasses come loaded with Curt Mangan Rounds but I haven't tried them.