The string length

[hkrle]

Before buying the strings, any way to know what 's the actual length of individual string. Thanks.

[knuckle_head]

There are two basic lengths - long scale and extra long scale.

Long scale is intended for 34" scale instruments and usually measures 36" from the ball end to where your thick string begins to taper.

Extra long scale is meant for 35" scale basses and most 34" scale through body basses. They usually measure 38" (or slightly less) from ball end to taper.

[sjb64]

Unfortuanatly there's no "standard" for string length. D'Addario's long scale strings have a 36.5" winding length. Ernie Ball's long scale winding length is 37". Dean Markley and Rotosound have a 38" winding length on their long scale strings.

If you go to D'Addario's website, they have good instructions for figuring out what winding length you need for your bass. Check it out. D'Addario has a nice selection of string lengths to handle all of the different possibilities of bass scale lengths and stringing methods (through the body or top load).

Once you know your winding length, make sure you find out the winding length of the strings your considering using before you buy them. Strings are often un-returnable; even when not installed on the bass.

[knuckle_head]

Originally Posted by sjb64

D'Addario's long scale strings have a 36.5" winding length.

They also have extra long scale sets that measure 38".

I think the only major that falls short on the extra long stuff is DR - theirs measure 37.5" or so.

[petersenbass]

I've been looking for D'Addario xl170-6SL's for a month or two now...it appears
they stopped making them in nickel. They still make the superlong 6 string set in prosteels. They also still make the superlong 4 and 5 string set in nickel. But no nickel
string...someone prove me wrong. I've called Guitar Center 3 times and asked once while I was in there...but of course they didn't care.