What strings are you using for 32" scale basses, without a string thru body option?
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32" scale strings
- Thread starter Cliff Bordwell
- Start date
I used long scale D'addario nickels on a Squier Jaguar H and the only had a bit of the full diameter winding on the tuning peg, not even half a wind around the peg I believe. I'm putting together a Warmoth 32" scale bass with their 2+2 and am going to try the same strings on that bass,
Hi Cliff, I've never owned one but if I needed those strings off the type of my head I know D'Addario XL and Prosteels make strings for that, as well as Rotosound Swing Bass. A user here with a new 32" Ibanez said the Thomastik Jazz Rounds worked perfectly.
Edit: Here's a thread that discusses a few strings for 32" scale non-string thru:
I really like pressure would strings....
Edit: Here's a thread that discusses a few strings for 32" scale non-string thru:
I really like pressure would strings....
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A 32" scale bass with a top-loading bridge typically would take strings with a winding length (ball end to taper/silk) of between 33.5" and 34.5", which is "medium scale" by most major manufacturers, with a few exceptions.
GHS "medium scale" = 35.5" in winding length.
TI "short scale" = 35.5" in winding length.
DR "short scale" = 33.75" in winding length, which is long enough to qualify as "medium scale".
Once you decide on the brand and type of strings you want, you can look for a set with the proper winding length.
I've got D'addario Chromes on my 32" scale Squier VM Telecaster bass. They make a medium scale set, and they seem to last forever and feel great!
Cliff, check out [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
I am currently using their long-scale strings on my 34" scale instruments, and this company also makes the same strings in lengths that are ideal for medium-scale instruments. They are what I want on a 32" Bordwell! They are my favorite bass strings now.
I am currently using their long-scale strings on my 34" scale instruments, and this company also makes the same strings in lengths that are ideal for medium-scale instruments. They are what I want on a 32" Bordwell! They are my favorite bass strings now.
Stringjoy Winding Lengths (ball end to taper):
Short Scale = 32.75"
Medium Scale = 34.75"
Long Scale = 37.1"
Extra Long Scale = 39.25"
For the love of all that's holy, just design them *with* string-through, so that they can accept long-scale sets: shorter length string requirements are a pain in the hindquarters.
We need to start a campaign: every person on the forum needs to contact Jon Moody of the forum, R&D for GHS, and tell him we need the 44-106 Balanced Nickels in medium scale as well as short and regular long scale.
I have put together a 32-inch parts bass for jamming that I have done exactly that: string through behind the bridge so a set of regular scale strings fit.
I have put together a 32-inch parts bass for jamming that I have done exactly that: string through behind the bridge so a set of regular scale strings fit.
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Short scale TI strings are too long for short scale but perfect for medium, albeit counter-intuitively.
D
They are actually designed for short scale though but for short scale basses with a tail piece like Höfner, Gretsch, etc. Which means they will have a slightly higher tension than intended on an actual medium scale bass. This isn't necessarily a bad thing with Thomastik strings as their strings are generelly very low tension but I'm not sure I would want the Jazz Flats short scale .106 E-string on a medium scale instrument.
Tension varies as the square of the scale length (not linearly). So the increased tension will be 32^2 / 30^2, or about 14% more tension. This is essentially the same as tuning up one fret to F-Bb-Eb-Ab on a short scale bass, well within the parameters of tension that the string can take.
Hey Cliff,
Hope all is great for you. I'm a flats guy. I successfully use D'Addario Chromes, set ECB81M on my 32s. I have both top load and through the body capability on those basses and they are fine.
I used them on the Big McNeely I had from you for several years. They were great on that bass. Regrettably, I sold that bass last year. I do miss it. Was a beauty.
Best wishes.
Koog
Hope all is great for you. I'm a flats guy. I successfully use D'Addario Chromes, set ECB81M on my 32s. I have both top load and through the body capability on those basses and they are fine.
I used them on the Big McNeely I had from you for several years. They were great on that bass. Regrettably, I sold that bass last year. I do miss it. Was a beauty.
Best wishes.
Koog
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D
The strings can definitely take it. I was thinking more about playing comfort. That E-string I was referring too feels far too stiff (for my taste) even on a short scale. There a MASSIVE jump in tension between E and A on the TIJF short scale sets. The E is too stiff, the A is too floppy (actually it's the same gauge as the long scale A-string, which is the floppiest string in that set). I've never understood what they were thinking with the TIJF short scale set. I love the long scale set but the short scale set is unplayable to me.
Last I knew, I got one of the few NOS sets
TI has the reputation of being rubber bands, so I don't think feel is an issue.
Yeah, that seems to be the only set left of flats that La Bella makes. I got one of the last 750FL-M sets NOS for my 32-inch Jaguar bass.
DR doesn't have "medium scale" strings as such, but the winding length of 33.75" (ball end to taper) on what they call "short scale" would be long enough to qualify as "medium scale". Just different terminology used by different manufacturers just to keep us confused.
Just to let everyone know in the 32" scale world. DR has changed their winding length on their short/medium scale strings. The winding is now .75 shorter than previous and comes up short on a 32" scale bass when using Hipshot bridges.
Edit to add, the new winding length is 33 inches compared to the previous 33.75"
Edit to add, the new winding length is 33 inches compared to the previous 33.75"
