Tried TI flats on a Harmony H22

[GlennW]

I was convinced these wouldn't work because the short scale H22 uses long scale strings, and figured the reduction in string tension would be too much and result in extreme floppiness. I like the TI JF344s on full scale basses, and have a set of JF324s that used to be on a medium scale bass which was sold.

Last night I thought I'd see if the JF324s were long enough to try on the H22, and they were. There's some fuzz on the wrong side of the nut, but this was just a test to see how they sound and feel. The med scale E is .006" bigger than the long scale E, the rest are the same gauge.

They work just fine. They weren't anywhere near as loose as I expected for the right hand. I was using a fairly light touch because of the tight string spacing at the bridge, so I don't know if they'd be prone to rattle when you dig in. For the left hand, they'll bend very easily, but that's not really a concern since those necks don't have a lot of width.

[GlennW]

On second thought, they work alright, not fine. I tried real hard to like them, but they gotta go. I'd rather have something tighter.

[One Drop]

I've got Chromes on mine and they sound and feel great. They are a but wide to fit in the bridge slots, though, so i'll have to get a lighter guage set, e.g. .100 E string.

The high mids brightness works great, as I find the PUPs surprisingly full range, and the string noise and zing from rounds didn't really sit well with the rest of the frequencies being amplified, sort of leaving a hole in the tone. Thumpier flats would work, too, I'm sure, but i like the extra definition with the Chromes. Tension is just right.

[GlennW]

You could take a little round file and widen the slots if you want.

I wasn't getting many highs with the TI's, and that's a concern, but I'm going to add an old DeArmond gold foil from Rocket or something near the bridge (the bass was already hacked, so it's not like I'll be messing up anything).

I ordered some L-760FS LaBella DT Flats, .045, .065, .085, .105.

I'd already decided to use TI or LaBella because I have no intentions of ever changing them.

[One Drop]

Originally Posted by GlennW

You could take a little round file and widen the slots if you want.

I was considering doing this, but the bass is minty and I can always find a use elsewhere for the Chromes that are on it now.

[GlennW]

If that's the case, and you really like the Chomes on the H22, why not get another bridge?
You probably already thought of that.