What strings will fit a 37" scale string through body Bass ?

topcat2069 · #1 06-20-2009, 10:39 AM

I have a 5 string Bass that is strung through the Body, effectively making it a 37" scale. I have it strung with DR Super Longs taper wound. Has anyone found other Sets / Brands that are REALLY long ? With D'Addario XL 175TPs the winding taper runs through the nut.... not OK. I'd like to try other strings but I live where I have to buy through the internet and string length info is not always clear.

Jim Nazium · #2 06-20-2009, 01:41 PM

Just to be clear, is the actual scale length of your bass 34" or 35"?

I used to have a Fender 5 string (34 inch scale) with through-body stringing. I used Ken Smith Burners on it and they were fine; the taper core went over the bridge saddle and they were still long enough at the nut. Also, I think most GHS strings are available in "standard long scale" or "extra long scale". The extra longs will probably work for you.

Oh, and whatever you do, stay away from Dean Markley strings

topcat2069 · #3 06-21-2009, 10:13 AM

Sorry,... bridge to nut is 34.25" but the string furl on the back of the body is only B string Ball end depth (what 1/4" or 3/16" ?) and the body is 1 3/4" thick and about 2"" from body to bridge.. (I know that that adds up to 37.75" or so but with a fender style head stock the B string will come out too short....using D'Addario XL 175TPs) I really want to try some DR Black Beauties but I can't afford to buy them and then find they aren't long enough.....

I don't know how to delete that endorsement........

boogie8008 · #4 06-21-2009, 10:20 AM

Rotosound makes a long scale plus five string set, i prefer the to the DR's.

knuckle_head · #5 06-21-2009, 10:45 AM

Extra long or super long sets usually go out to 38" from the ball end - DR is slightly shorter than that but I can't recall their exact measure.

JustStrings has D'Addario super longs.

topcat2069 · #6 06-23-2009, 09:40 AM

I just got an e-mail from DR they are wound out to 40".... so it looks like I have a set of Black Beauties in my future

knuckle_head · #7 06-23-2009, 11:19 AM

Delicate balance here - some strings will have their core snap if a full thickness is wrapped around the tuning post.

jaywa · #8 06-23-2009, 12:04 PM

That subject line had me doing a double take. I was imagining a true 37-inch scale bass and wondering what 7-foot tall bassist was posing the question.

knuckle_head · #9 06-23-2009, 12:09 PM

Dingwalls are that long on the low side - the difference is roughly a 3/4 step.

....and there are longer basses than that.

greenboy · #10 06-23-2009, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaywa

That subject line had me doing a double take. I was imagining a true 37-inch scale bass and wondering what 7-foot tall bassist was posing the question.

I have a farily short reach and fairly small finger span. But I have no trouble playing a Dingwall with a 37" B, or a Knuckle Quake with a 39"+ scale length. That Knuckle Quake is basically only two frets longer, if you look at it like that, and the Dingwall only about a fret longer.

EUB and doghouse make this look like baby stuff.

topcat2069 · #11 06-26-2009, 10:17 AM

The info I got from DR was for the taper wound coated, my bad, the Black Beauties are 37 3/4 " winding and that's a bit tight.
I sent e-mails to Tomastic and D'Addario, got an e-mail back from Tomastic and the guy needed more information.... nothing from D'Addario yet....

The quest goes on.

The info I sent to Tomastic:

string load from back of body to top of body hole out:1 3/4"
from top of body hole out to bridge (B string 1 1/2") (G string 1 3/4")
From bridge to nut (B string 34 1/2") (G string 34 1/4")
From nut to center of tuning post 4 +1 fender style: (B string 1 7/8") (D string 7")
The B string is the shortest and the D string is the longest.

knuckle_head · #12 06-26-2009, 10:50 AM

D'Addario super longs are wound out to 38" past the ball end and work on 36" scale basses. Most manufacturers that offer a super long are this measure. DR is the exception.

Ken Smith has strings that are wound out to 40" past the ball end for 38" scale basses.

If neither of these work you are looking at custom sets.

Mike Shevlin · #13 06-26-2009, 11:03 AM

DR also had these & they are great:

http://www.juststrings.com/drs-lmr-45-125.html

knuckle_head · #14 06-26-2009, 11:20 AM

Something else...

The brand with the longest taper length at the ball end that I am aware of is SIT. Their measure is 3" on at least some of their models. I have no idea whether or not they offer a super long string.

Most other brands are in the 2" range.

topcat2069 · #15 07-11-2009, 11:53 AM

Thanks for all the help.... from knuckle_head I found that D'Addario Super Longs XLs work... strung them up and I love them... plus I have the same gauge and material strings on all my 4 stringer basses.

knuckle_head · #16 07-11-2009, 02:05 PM

Heh!

Awesome!

Snakeman1066 · #17 09-19-2009, 09:04 PM

D'addario EXL170-5SL (super long scale)

I have the same exact problem....none of the stores in my area stock anything that will fit in any brand....

I ended up buying a box (six sets) at a guitar and bass expo.....in the end I paid $10.00 a set....they retail (street price) for roughly $23.00 a set (give or take) so i did good i think...

i would like to try other brands however

rageatmachine14 · #18 09-19-2009, 09:13 PM

DR Highbeams are pretty long i think they fit anything up to a 37 and 3/4in scale

Gearhead17 · #19 10-04-2009, 07:31 PM

I wanted to resurrect this thread because I am having a difficult time finding a suitable string replacement for a 35" scale Spector Euro. Looking for Stainless Steel Roundwounds. Nothing nickel plated - I am allergic to nickel!

D'addario stopped making Pro Steel Super Long Scale strings in the .110 gauge and now I cannot find a manufacturer that makes this gauge in stainless steel in that 40" length. I bought the D'addario Pro Steel Long Scale .110 and the string narrowing part at the tuner heads sits in the nut - not a tight fit.

Looking for this set in Super Long Scale:

.050
.070
.090
.110
.130

What can I do? I thought about going custom, but I am not sure who to go with. I checked out GHS and figured out that I had to buy 3 sets of this "custom set" and I would be spending around $70 plus $10 shipping. Plus, I could not get the .110 or the .130 gauges I wanted, only smaller ones were available. What a great custom ordering option......

Rabbit371 · #20 11-04-2009, 06:28 PM

I just installed a super bright wonder-full sounding set of Ken Smith strings to my Ripper, a through-body bass that requires a full 37.75 inches of winding length on all strings. 1/2 inch to spare. E = .110