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30" Scale Strings?

Chondroulis

Chondroulis

Sep 2, 2017
53
46
Columbus, OH
www.afterdeathplan.com
#1
I picked up a '68 Univox violin bass a few weeks ago (with the fancy scroll top!). It needs a set up for sure, and maybe some other TLC. So, in prep for that I have a couple of struggles...

a) Flat or round strings?
- I have flats on my Huntington Supro III. It sounds killer and thumps for days. So do I really need TWO basses with flats? For the record, rounds on my '86 Fender Boxer bass is just *chef's kiss*. That said, the Univox is legit vintage and I'd like to honor that. But at the same time, I want to be practical about the best sound. So, rounds? I'm conflicted over here and would love to pick everyone's brains.

b) 30" strings seem to be scarce.
- Seems like the industry calls 32" as short scale. I see some GHS out there that are 30", but was looking for other options before making a decision. I have Thomastik-Infelds on the Supro and I love them.
 
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#2
Chondroulis said:
b) 30" strings seem to be scarce.
- Seems like the industry calls 32" as short scale. I see some GHS out there that are 30", but was looking for other options before making a decision. I have Thomastik-Infelds on the Supro and I love them.
Click to expand...

The most important question when looking for suitable strings for any given bass is "what winding length does this bass need for proper fit?" Winding length = the length of the fully wound part of the string from the ball end to taper/silk (where the full winding ends and the string becomes thinner).

So, the question is, what's the measurement on that specific bass from where the E string ball end is seated to where it clears the nut? That would be the minimum "winding length" it needs. Can you provide us with that measurement?

"Scale length" is not the most reliable way to determine what string would fit properly on your bass because different manufacturers define "scale length" differently. For example... "Short scale" by D'Addario is 32" in winding length (ball end to taper), while "short scale" by TI is 35.5". That's a difference of 3.5" and they're both supposed to be "short scale". And "short scale" by other manufacturers fall somewhere in between.

Let's start by finding out what winding length your bass needs, so we can make recommendations as to which brand and model will fit on your bass.
 
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#3
Let us all repeat the mantra:
1) measure from the ball anchor to the tuner side of the nut;
2) measure from the ball anchor to the center of the lowest string tuner post (in this case, the E string)
3) purchase strings that the winding or speaking length is between these two measurements.

This bass may need different or Hofner strings. Many solid body 30-inch scale basses that have Fender style or derivative plate bridges will need what the industry calls short scale, which have about 32 to 33 inches of winding in order to clear the bridge saddles and the nut. Many violin style basses that have a 30-inch scale have a larger distance between the bridge saddle and the string anchor and need either medium scale or specialty strings made especially to fit this style bass. A Harmony H2 bass with a 30-inch scale has the anchor at the end of the body where the strap pin is and has so much distance between the bridge and the string anchor that regular long scale strings fit.
 
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#4
michael_t said:
The most important question when looking for suitable strings for any given bass is "what winding length does this bass need for proper fit?" Winding length = the length of the fully wound part of the string from the ball end to taper/silk (where the full winding ends and the string becomes thinner).

So, the question is, what's the measurement on that specific bass from where the E string ball end is seated to where it clears the nut? That would be the minimum "winding length" it needs. Can you provide us with that measurement?

"Scale length" is not the most reliable way to determine what string would fit properly on your bass because different manufacturers define "scale length" differently. For example... "Short scale" by D'Addario is 32" in winding length (ball end to taper), while "short scale" by TI is 35.5". That's a difference of 3.5" and they're both supposed to be "short scale". And "short scale" by other manufacturers fall somewhere in between.

Let's start by finding out what winding length your bass needs, so we can make recommendations as to which brand and model will fit on your bass.
Click to expand...

Thanks, that is super helpful! I am measuring 35.5" from the ball end to E string tuner post; and 33" from ball end to nut.
 
#8
michael_t said:
So that means the "medium scale" D'A Chromes with 34" winding length would be the right ones for that bass.
Click to expand...
michael_t said:
Sorry, I got two threads confused. I mentioned D'A Chromes because of another thread specifically asking about them.

You were just asking about the availability of strings for "short scale". What specifically are you looking for?
Click to expand...
At this point just looking for opinions on what other people are playing - flat/round on a violin bass, best length/scale for this bass...

I've already got a solid range of tones covered by the P-Bass and Supro, so violin bass is an exploration at this point. :-)
 
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#10
I bought a Hofner Club that came with rounds. I switched to flats, but I’d didn’t like them, so I put rounds back on it.

I bought a Gretsch G2220 that came with rounds. I switched to flats, and they’re perfect.

The point is, you have to try them and hear how they sound on each bass.
 
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#12
markjazzbassist said:
That will need Hofner size strings. You need short scale string if they are Pyramid, Optima, TI, GHS. Medium scale for Rotosound, Daddario, La Bella.
Click to expand...
This ^ Don't forget La Bella has Hofner specialty sets as well. I disagree with GHS, as their short scale winding length is only 32.75 inches from ball to silk; maybe one of their mid scale sets, as the OP said he measured 33 inches ball to nut. Pyramid if they say they fit the Hofner 500/1 "Beatle" bass. I would stay away from TI's because they are so floppy they may not be stable on a short scale bass with a floating bridge. I would contact Optima and ask if their short-scale strings include Hofner.
 
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#13
Chondroulis said:
At this point just looking for opinions on what other people are playing - flat/round on a violin bass, best length/scale for this bass...

I've already got a solid range of tones covered by the P-Bass and Supro, so violin bass is an exploration at this point. :)
Click to expand...
On my violin basses?
- MIK Rogue VB-100; Roto TruBass 88M (medium scale) Tape wounds
- Chinese Starfire Violin Bass; La Bella medium scale 760FL's.
Actually, with the exception of the Rogue and my Gretsch Broadkaster (a 30'5" scale bass that loves most "Long Scale" strings), all my other 21 basses wear flats. The Gretsch - for reasons that don't count here - wears a set of "Gee-they-just-barely-fit" short scale TI JR324 Jazz Rounds. Which tells you just how long TI's "short scale" strings actually are...
IME, while they can vary some - depending on the exact scale length; the length of the trapeze tailpiece; and how the tuners are spaced on the headstock? Most "short scale" violin basses - and others with similar tailpieces and bridges - are happy with most string company's "medium scale" strings. TI and Pyramid are exceptions, because their "short scale" strings have always been made expressly for short scale basses with trapeze tailpieces and (usually) floating bridges. Besides my violin basses, my Hofner 500/2 Club Bass; the Gretsch; and my Guild Starfire I, also wear "medium scale" strings. However...
Iiipopes is absolutely right. Unless you want to learn which strings fit what bass, through bitter experience - and sometimes high $$ expense - like... some of us... did :rolleyes:? Measure your bass before you go string shopping. All basses - of whatever scale length - are not the same. And, all strings - of whatever "scale" that's on the package - are not the same, either...:whistle:
 
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#14
GIBrat51 said:
On my violin basses?
- MIK Rogue VB-100; Roto TruBass 88M (medium scale) Tape wounds
- Chinese Starfire Violin Bass; La Bella medium scale 760FL's.
Actually, with the exception of the Rogue and my Gretsch Broadkaster (a 30'5" scale bass that loves most "Long Scale" strings), all my other 21 basses wear flats. The Gretsch - for reasons that don't count here - wears a set of "Gee-they-just-barely-fit" short scale TI JR324 Jazz Rounds. Which tells you just how long TI's "short scale" strings actually are...
IME, while they can vary some - depending on the exact scale length; the length of the trapeze tailpiece; and how the tuners are spaced on the headstock? Most "short scale" violin basses - and others with similar tailpieces and bridges - are happy with most string company's "medium scale" strings. TI and Pyramid are exceptions, because their "short scale" strings have always been made expressly for short scale basses with trapeze tailpieces and (usually) floating bridges. Besides my violin basses, my Hofner 500/2 Club Bass; the Gretsch; and my Guild Starfire I, also wear "medium scale" strings. However...
Iiipopes is absolutely right. Unless you want to learn which strings fit what bass, through bitter experience - and sometimes high $$ expense - like... some of us... did :rolleyes:? Measure your bass before you go string shopping. All basses - of whatever scale length - are not the same. And, all strings - of whatever "scale" that's on the package - are not the same, either...:whistle:
Click to expand...

Thanks, I did indeed learn the hard way on my Supro. The "short scale" strings I bought were a little too long!
 

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