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24 inch scale strings help
- Thread starter 50hz
- Start date
30" scale will work. You may need to undo some of the winding on the tuner end of the string. I used a set of 30" strings on a Strat bass I set up. I unwound the top layer of the E and A strings so that they would fit in the Strat tuners. Unwind only the amount needed and snip it off. I used heat shrink tubing to secure the windings. The D and G strings fit fine as they were. Get the thickest strings you can. Thicker strings = more tension. I used an old set off of an SX shortscale. I think the E is about 0.100". It's a little on the floppy side. When I get around to putting decent strings on, I'll look for a 0.125" or thicker E string. These sub-short scales are a bunch of fun to play.
cool. mine needs ALOT of work before its playable. it's going to be my frankenbass. I was thinking of making it fret less since it needs a re-fret anyway.
Turnaround
Commercial User
You might want to think again about defretting. I've played some 21" and 24" fretless basses and it's not at all easy to play them in tune. Finger position is more and more critical as the scale length shortens.
You might see it as a challenge. I found it a frustration.
I'd say leave the frets alone until and unless you prove there is a problem. Don't buy more work for yourself and potentially mess up an interesting bass.
You can find some relevant dialog in the Sub-Short Bass thread.
You won't find stock strings sized for the bass.
But, you have options:
- Use a heavy gauge set, and stick to flexible, regular strings so that you can wind them around the post. If you use something stiff like a flat, it's far more likely that the string will crack while trying to wind it.
- Use any length you want, but cut the ball end off and recap the end. There are links out there for ways to do that.
I, too, would recommend not defretting the bass yet. Put a fresh set of strings on, give it a run, and take it from there.
You won't find stock strings sized for the bass.
But, you have options:
- Use a heavy gauge set, and stick to flexible, regular strings so that you can wind them around the post. If you use something stiff like a flat, it's far more likely that the string will crack while trying to wind it.
- Use any length you want, but cut the ball end off and recap the end. There are links out there for ways to do that.
I, too, would recommend not defretting the bass yet. Put a fresh set of strings on, give it a run, and take it from there.
I'm not advocating pulling the frets either, but certainly not because of the scale length. How long is that violin scale again?
well I'm definitely not going to go fretless but it does need a re- fret. the frets are pretty gnarly. they seem to fairly level but the ends are pretty chewed up. the neck is surprisingly not as bumpy as I figured it would be but could probably use a leveling as well. the problem that I'm having is the 45-100 strings barely stay in tune, too floppy on the e and a. tuners are actually great. all the strings fit the tuner posts great except for the low e. no problems on the d and g.
I have the same bass. I have not been successful in finding strings to fit it, or figuring out how to modifier an existing set.
I have however designed a custom tail-piece that will allow 30" scale strings to work. But it has not yet been fabricated.
Has anyone successfully shortened the speaking length of a metal bass string?
I have however designed a custom tail-piece that will allow 30" scale strings to work. But it has not yet been fabricated.
Has anyone successfully shortened the speaking length of a metal bass string?
Love basses like that one! As long as the frets are level, you could just have the edges fixed without getting all invasive with it.
As for strings, those tuners are strong enough and the pegs are thick enough to where you could use 30" short scale strings as they are and not damage anything. It has a set of short scales on it already, it looks like.
As for strings, those tuners are strong enough and the pegs are thick enough to where you could use 30" short scale strings as they are and not damage anything. It has a set of short scales on it already, it looks like.
JimmyM said:
the d and g are fine. the low e is the problem. it's real floppy and doesn't hold tuning well because of the lack of tension. plus the low e was so thick I had to try and cram it in the post and I think it's slipping.
