• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Manufacturer's string winding lengths list

fourstringbliss

fourstringbliss

Supporting Member
Oct 5, 2003
12,442
6,016
56
Puyallup, WA
#1
Most of the time when you buy strings for your bass it's pretty easy to get the correct length. If your scale length is 34" then you buy "long scale" strings. Sometimes it's not that easy, though. What if you string through the body? What if your bass is just a little different than most?

I have an Ibanez BTB 4-string that is 35" scale and top-loads into individual bridges. I figured it needed XL strings but those turned out to be too long and I had to sell them at a loss because you generally can't return opened strings.

I'd like to have us compile a list of manufacturer's string winding length (the distance between the ball end and the silk/taper) as a reference. I figure XL's and Long Scale lists should suffice, unless you know of odd scale shorter basses.

XL's
Sadowsky: 39"
Ken Smith: 40"

Long Scale
Sadowsky: 37 1/4" E, 38" other strings.
Ken Smith: 38"
DR: 37.5"

Can you add to either list?
 
#2
D'Addario Super Long Scale (for 35" scale) 38"
D'Addario Long Scale (for 34" scale) 36.25"

Circle K Long (for 40"/39" scale) 41.75"
Circle K Medium (for 37"/36") 38.625"
Circle K Standard (for 35"/34" scale) 36.75"

To be clear these are the distances from the string-side edge of the ball end to the start of the taper. The above strings have no silk.

Ken Smith (E and B strings for 34" scale) 36.5"
Some Ken Smith E and B strings have a shorter winding length since 38" is too long for many 34" scale basses: the E and B strings are too thick to wind around the tuner post at full gauge.
 
#4
"Please Note
When fitting Rotosound Bass Strings, be sure that the silked part of the string ONLY is wound around the machine post. If the speaking length of the string is wound around the post, the string may then be prone to breakage. This type of breakage is not covered by our normal warranty.

String Lengths - Ballend to Silk
Short Scale
32.5

820

Medium Scale
35.25

895

Long Scale
37

940

Extra Long Scale
39.25

995"

From Invalid Link Removed
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back