Strings for a short scale bass

SamIam · #1 07-26-2009, 08:30 AM

Since I have short stubby fingers and I'm a converted guitar player I recently purchased a bass with a short scale neck, G2202 by Gretsch.

Learning to play bass is a blast!!

Anyway, I am looking for any advice on what kind/size/brand of strings that tend to work better on a short scale bass.

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated

JustDavid · #2 07-26-2009, 08:35 AM

So, what sort of tone are you after? There's a WIDE breadth of tonal possibilities from various string types.

fretlessguy · #3 07-27-2009, 06:31 PM

Do you prefer flats or wounds? Light or medium gauge? There are just about as many choices as there are for the long scales basses.

As a suggestion, I would say try a set of SIT short scales or Fender Short scale strings if you want to go the roundwound route. I have used both, and they work very well.

http://www.juststrings.com/sit-shnr-4095.html

http://www.juststrings.com/fnd-5250xl.html

For Flats I would recommend a set of GHS Precision Flats or a set of D'Addario Chromes:

http://www.juststrings.com/ghs-3020.html

http://www.juststrings.com/dad-ecb81s.html

Out of those sets above, I'd probably prefer the Chromes these days, although I have used them all and they are all really good strings.

Best of luck.

FG

SamIam · #4 07-28-2009, 08:39 AM

Thanks for the advice. As far as what tone I'm looking for I've gotta be honest with you, I'm not really sure. I guess the best way to describe it would be to say that I like a warm low tone. I enjoy palying laid back music. When jamming with the fellows they are usually on acoustic guitars. I'm not jamming on any funk or reggae kinda music. I like a tone that kind of blends well and helps to fill out the bands sound. I'm not looking for an "in your face" kind of sound.

I'm not even sure if I prefer round wound or flat round. Until I posted this I didn't even know there was the option!! And still don't know the difference.

I still have a lot to learn. Thanks in advance for all of your help.

bk2mono · #5 07-28-2009, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamIam

I guess the best way to describe it would be to say that I like a warm low tone... I'm not looking for an "in your face" kind of sound.

+1 Chromes!!! I think you would be very happy with these strings.

greggster59 · #6 07-28-2009, 08:52 AM

I love the sound of Alembic CX-3/45S Compression Wound strings on my Rumblekat. Last a long time, too.

Chipsonfire · #7 07-28-2009, 08:57 AM

If you are looking for warm low tone, I'd suggest flats from what I've heard about them. The best thing about flats, or so I'm told, is that they never go bad

fretlessguy · #8 07-28-2009, 09:00 AM

The Chromes or GHS Precision Flats would be the way to go. www.bpstrings.com would be the best place pricewise. Goodluck on your hunt.

FG

SamIam · #9 07-28-2009, 10:10 AM

Thanks for everyone's good advice. I will head to the music store today and get some flats.

Pilgrim · #10 07-29-2009, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamIam

Since I have short stubby fingers and I'm a converted guitar player I recently purchased a bass with a short scale neck, G2202 by Gretsch.

I have that same bass - it's one of the finest short scale basses I have ever played. You have a REAL winner there! That little Gretsch is a keeper.

My favorite flats are Labella Deep Talkin' flats, followed by Rotosound Jazz Bass 77's. I have D'Addario chromes on an acoustic-electric short scale and I'm very happy with them as well.

Frankly, most flats will work well on that G2202. It has a very hot pickup and will crank out a lot of sound.

Enjoy!

xaxxat · #11 07-30-2009, 08:31 PM

Does DR make Black Beauties for short scales? I can't find any info on them.

BloozBass · #12 07-31-2009, 05:46 AM

The only DR shorties are Hi-Beams - they make a 4 and 5 string set. I just had a set come in yesterday for my SX 57J shorty which I strung B-E-A-D. Great sound, typical Hi-Beam bite and to my surprise I was able to get the B intonated exactly. I didn't expect that from short scale.

Blooz

xaxxat · #13 07-31-2009, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BloozBass

The only DR shorties are Hi-Beams - they make a 4 and 5 string set. I just had a set come in yesterday for my SX 57J shorty which I strung B-E-A-D. Great sound, typical Hi-Beam bite and to my surprise I was able to get the B intonated exactly. I didn't expect that from short scale.

Blooz

That's good to know. I want to do a B-E-A-D shorty too.

JohnBarr · #14 07-31-2009, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BloozBass

The only DR shorties are Hi-Beams - they make a 4 and 5 string set. I just had a set come in yesterday for my SX 57J shorty which I strung B-E-A-D. Great sound, typical Hi-Beam bite and to my surprise I was able to get the B intonated exactly. I didn't expect that from short scale.

Blooz

Really? DR has 5-string short scale?
Dang.
Can anyone recommed a short scale 5-string bass to go along with them.

BloozBass · #15 07-31-2009, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnBarr

Really? DR has 5-string short scale?
Dang.
Can anyone recommed a short scale 5-string bass to go along with them.

I'm not aware of anyone but boutique manufacturers offering a short scale 5 string. That's why I converted one of my SX shorties to B-E-A-D. It won't see a whole bunch of use, but sometimes you just want to rattle the floor joists, you know?

Blooz

JohnBarr · #16 08-04-2009, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BloozBass

I'm not aware of anyone but boutique manufacturers offering a short scale 5 string. That's why I converted one of my SX shorties to B-E-A-D. It won't see a whole bunch of use, but sometimes you just want to rattle the floor joists, you know?

Blooz

Yeah, I know

Did you get a 5-set and toss the G?

BloozBass · #17 08-05-2009, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnBarr

Yeah, I know

Did you get a 5-set and toss the G?

No, my DR dealer is able to get custom sets from the factory and she got me just the B-E-A-D. Apparently DR is very good about this type of arrangement. If your local dealer can't/won't do the same, visit www.stringthis.com , and send Scarlet an email telling her what you need. She orders from DR very often, and turnaround for my set was only a couple of days.

Blooz

heytrid · #18 08-18-2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BloozBass

No, my DR dealer is able to get custom sets from the factory and she got me just the B-E-A-D. Apparently DR is very good about this type of arrangement. If your local dealer can't/won't do the same, visit www.stringthis.com , and send Scarlet an email telling her what you need. She orders from DR very often, and turnaround for my set was only a couple of days.

Blooz

So the b string is an actual short scale string? I am just looking in their catalogue and there is no mention of a short scale b string anywhere.

I so want to do this

wiht my raven SG clone

becker4567 · #19 08-18-2009, 05:18 PM

For that warm, layed back sound on a short scale, I really prefer LaBella 'Deep Talkin' flats. I like the higher tension too! And they last a long, long time!

BloozBass · #20 08-18-2009, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heytrid

So the b string is an actual short scale string? I am just looking in their catalogue and there is no mention of a short scale b string anywhere.

I so want to do this

wiht my raven SG clone

That is correct. I was afraid it would be long scale, and have to go through the body twice like a Birdsong, but it was a true 30" scale low B! It's not mentioned in their catalog anywhere - I just happened to see a 5 string shorty set on Musicians Friend's website, and emailed customer support at DR about availability outside of MF. They replied that any DR dealer has access to them, and my local vendor hooked me up with a B-E-A-D set rather than having to buy all 5 strings and throw out the G.

Blooz