Right. I was wondering what your experience with your AFB has been - have you used tapewounds?
I don't remember what scale lengths the Chromes I have on mine are. It's been a while since I put them on.
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Artcore Club
- Thread starter elroyjetsn
- Start date
I don't remember what scale lengths the Chromes I have on mine are. It's been a while since I put them on.
@mrperkolator just went through the string situation with his.
I have flats on mine and the silks are blue/indigo which is a certain brand that I can't recall.
These are spec'd on the Ibanez Wiki page for the AFB200. They are Medium Scale.
EXL160M Nickel Wound | Bass Guitar Strings | D'Addario
EXL160M is D'Addario's top selling heavy gauge bass set optimized for medium scale basses. XL Nickel Wound electric bass strings, long recognized as the industry standard, are ideal for a wide range of musical styles.www.daddario.com
The saying is measure twice cut once….
I measure twice just before ordering strings. Hollowbody basses are notoriously weird on string lengths.
Mine is currently wearing pyramid flats. Very vintage sounding and fit perfectly. Just doesn’t fit sonically in all mixes…
Pyramid will make custom lengths if you ask.
I measure twice just before ordering strings. Hollowbody basses are notoriously weird on string lengths.
Mine is currently wearing pyramid flats. Very vintage sounding and fit perfectly. Just doesn’t fit sonically in all mixes…
Pyramid will make custom lengths if you ask.
Hi B-Mac, I emailed Sweetwater a week or so ago. They replied quickly and said they could send me one, but it probably wouldn't be covered by warranty. If I can't source one in Europe, I'll probably proceed and buy one to import. I'd rather have my baby well protected, I travel to a bass class on the bus every week.
I know a case that will work, but is suited to the ASB-140.
It would fit the body of yours perfectly, but would have about 4” or 5” of extra space above the headstock.
A case made by Yorkville for es-335 style basses and the Epiphone JC Sig. They are sold primarily in Canada. I bought two of them from a company called Fleet Pro.
Thanks B-Mac, I'll include that in my ponderings. I read all 30 pages of the thread the other day and saw that somebody had made a part to provide space above the headstock for things like strap etc. in a "too long" case. Could be a good idea.
Keep in mind that the cases for the AFB & AGB Series do not work with the ASB Series at all. The body will not fit.
I’m just pointing it out before someone suggests it and states that it’ll work.
Hey Artcore lovers, two questions for you.
1. What length strings fits an AFB200? I have both long scale and short scale TI Jazz Flats. Neither fit.
2. Has anyone replaced the stock pickups on an AFB200?
Thanks in advance!
1. What length strings fits an AFB200? I have both long scale and short scale TI Jazz Flats. Neither fit.
2. Has anyone replaced the stock pickups on an AFB200?
Thanks in advance!
Umm… are the jazz flats the same length as TI rounds? If so you may have saved me money.
I bought flats from pyramid that are designed for the AFB200 to get a perfect fit. Search their catalog for
649/A.
And I haven’t felt the need to swap pickups.
I’d assume they are the same size, though not positive for certain.
I’ll check out the Pyramids. How’s the tension on those? I like low tension mostly.
I’ll check out the Pyramids. How’s the tension on those? I like low tension mostly.
They’re not low tension, but I wouldn’t call them bridge cables either.
They did get rid of weird issue just because they fit right. Previous owner had some sort of full length (ground wounds?) strings that needed too many wraps around post. This caused it to transfer vibrations where the strings touched above the nut.
Let us know what you ended up trying/using even if it doesn’t go well. AFB200 is not the easiest to select strings for. I’ve even considered how difficult it would be to have a shorter tailpiece (not sure of the term) made that increased the length between bridge and metal floating tailpiece. This would allow for full size strings, but potentially create wolf tones (again not sure of term) due to second area strings could vibrate.
I may be overthinking it though.
Medium Scale
Long Scale are too long and short scale are to short. Pretty much any short scale bass with a trapeze piece will need medium scale stings.
Medium Scale Bass string search
@JehuJava b-Mac is right, but measure first. I haven’t tried any labella mediums because they’re ¼” short when I measured.
ALSO,
Medium scale bass with Trapeze needs Long scale strings. Long Scale Bass with Trapeze piece needs extra long strings.
It's that dog-gone trapeze piece dag nabbit!!!!!!
Medium scale bass with Trapeze needs Long scale strings. Long Scale Bass with Trapeze piece needs extra long strings.
It's that dog-gone trapeze piece dag nabbit!!!!!!
ALSO,
Medium scale bass with Trapeze needs Long scale strings. Long Scale Bass with Trapeze piece needs extra long strings.
It's that dog-gone trapeze piece dag nabbit!!!!!!
So just to make sure I’m understanding, because the AFB200 is short scale with the trapeze, I need medium scale?
Most likely, but you’ll need to measure first. The pyramids I mentioned are medium scale, however labella’s mediums won’t fit. String manufacturers don’t have a set length on where felt starts. That’s why I suggested measuring first.
Your TI’s are a good example. TIJF short scale don’t actually fit most short scale basses without the flatwound part wrapping around the post.
Yes, but some brands could still be too short. Measure winding length and then see if the manufacturer provides that.
Winding length is from ball end to nut. The beginning taper of the string must be long enough to go past the nut from the ball end of the string in the trapeze piece.
The winding length for bass strings typically varies depending on the scale length of your bass, with "standard" long scale basses having a winding length around 36.5 inches, while short scale basses might be closer to 32 inches and extra long scale basses could reach 38 inches.
Key points about bass string winding length:
- Scale Length Categories:
- Short Scale: 30-32 inches
- Medium Scale: 32-34 inches
- Long Scale (Standard): 34-36 inches
- Extra Long Scale: 36 inches and above
Important considerations:
- Always check the specific string packaging:
Different string brands may have slightly different winding lengths for each scale length.
- Measure your bass:
If you're unsure about your bass's scale length, measure the distance from the nut to the bridge to determine the correct string length.
- String selection:
Choosing the correct winding length ensures proper string tension and playability on your bass.
Bass Scale Length - Short? Medium? Long?
Winding length and Speaking Length are the same thing.
Winding Length and Speaking Length are the same thing.
Scale length and speaking length are important criteria when shopping for bass strings. Bass guitars come in many sizes, and this affects the instrument’s tone — as well as what strings you can use. This guide looks at what these terms mean and how they affect string choices.
Bass Scale Length vs. Speaking Length
- Your bass scale length is the distance from the bridge to the nut of your bass.
- Your bass speaking length is the distance from the ball end of the string to the nut of your bass.
- The speaking length of the bass string is the distance from the ball end to the taper or silk.
Short Scale Bass vs. Long Scale Bass
The average bass scale length is around 34 inches for a four-string bass and 35 inches for a five-string bass. This medium length produces a bright, focused sound with the strings holding more tension. Short scale bass strings have less tension, creating a warm tone and stronger low-end. You can also get a long scale bass and even an extra-long bass, which means more tension and brightness.
This is why you need to buy the right string length. Since the strings are designed for different tension loads, putting long-scale strings on a short scale instrument (and vice versa) can lead to serious sound, intonation, playability and warping issues. In addition to other factors like bass string gauges, always consider the scale length when shopping for bass guitar strings.
Important! Each manufacturer has different "Speaking Lengths" so please reference the list below and make sure you are selecting the right "Scale Length" of string (Short, Medium, Long, etc) based on the "Speaking Length" of your Bass.
Speaking Lengths listed by Brand
Clear Tone Bass Strings:
- Long Scale = 37.5" Ball to Taper
D'Addario Bass Strings:
- Short Scale = 32" Ball to Taper (or Silk)
- Medium Scale = 34" Ball to Taper (or Silk)
- Long Scale = 37.1" Ball to Taper (or Silk)
- Super Long Scale = 38" Ball to Taper (or Silk)
DR Bass Strings:
- Short Scale = 34" Ball to Taper (or Silk)
- Long Scale = 38" Ball to Taper (or Silk)
- Extra Long Scale - 40.7" Ball to Taper (or Silk)
Dunlop Bass Strings:
- Long Scale = 37.25" Ball to Taper
Elixir Bass Strings:
- Long Scale = 36.5" Ball to Taper
- Extra Long Scale = 38" Ball to Taper
Ernie Ball Bass Strings:
- Long Scale = 37.25" Ball to Taper (or Silk)
- Super Long Scale = 38.25" Ball to Taper
Everly Bass Strings:
- Long Scale = 37.75" Ball to Taper
Fender Bass Strings:
- Short Scale = 32" Ball to Taper
- Medium Scale = 34" Ball to Taper
- Long Scale = 36.5" Ball to Taper
GHS Bass Strings:
- Short Scale: 32.75" Ball to Taper (or Silk)
- Medium Scale: 35.5" Ball to Taper (or Silk)
- Long Scale: 36.5" Ball to Taper (or Silk)
- Long Scale (Universal): 37.25" Ball to Taper (or Silk)
- Long Plus: 38" Ball to Taper (or Silk)
Ken Smith Bass Strings:
- Long Scale = 38" Ball to Silk
- Extra Long Scale = 40" Ball to Silk
- For some B strings there is a "Medium Scale" option = 36.5" Ball to Silk
La Bella Bass Strings:
- Short Scale = 32" Ball to Silk
- Medium Scale = 34" Ball to Silk
- Long Scale = 37" Ball to Silk
- Extra Long Scale = 38" Ball to Silk
- Hofner Beatle Bass = 34" Ball to Silk
Rotosound Bass Strings:
- Short Scale = 32" Ball to Silk
- Medium Scale = 34" Ball to Silk
- Long Scale = 37" Ball to Silk (or Taper)
- Extra Long Scale = 39" Ball to Silk
Thomastik-Infeld Bass Strings:
- Short Scale = 35.5" Ball to Silk
- Long Scale = 37" Ball to Silk
- Super Long Scale = 39.75" Ball to Silk
Taken from here: Bass Scale Length Chart and Guide - Strings and Beyond
Darn. I was considering low tension flats for the tension. Though I have deep talking nylons on it now (came with the bass, not sure the length).
Thanks man. This gives me a lot to think about.Yes, but some brands could still be too short. Measure winding length and then see if the manufacturer provides that.
Winding length is from ball end to nut. The beginning taper of the string must be long enough to go past the nut from the ball end of the string in the trapeze piece.
The winding length for bass strings typically varies depending on the scale length of your bass, with "standard" long scale basses having a winding length around 36.5 inches, while short scale basses might be closer to 32 inches and extra long scale basses could reach 38 inches.
Key points about bass string winding length:
- Scale Length Categories:
- Short Scale: 30-32 inches
- Medium Scale: 32-34 inches
- Long Scale (Standard): 34-36 inches
- Extra Long Scale: 36 inches and above
Important considerations:
- Always check the specific string packaging:
Different string brands may have slightly different winding lengths for each scale length.
- Measure your bass:
If you're unsure about your bass's scale length, measure the distance from the nut to the bridge to determine the correct string length.
- String selection:
Choosing the correct winding length ensures proper string tension and playability on your bass.
Bass Scale Length - Short? Medium? Long?
Winding length and Speaking Length are the same thing.
Winding Length and Speaking Length are the same thing.
Scale length and speaking length are important criteria when shopping for bass strings. Bass guitars come in many sizes, and this affects the instrument’s tone — as well as what strings you can use. This guide looks at what these terms mean and how they affect string choices.
Bass Scale Length vs. Speaking Length
Most basses have the ball end very close to the bridge so the scale length is almost equal to the speaking length. However, some basses have the ball end a few inches from the bridge, so the speaking length could be a few inches longer than the scale length. Most manufacturers sell strings based on the speaking length to make sure they’re long enough.
- Your bass scale length is the distance from the bridge to the nut of your bass.
- Your bass speaking length is the distance from the ball end of the string to the nut of your bass.
- The speaking length of the bass string is the distance from the ball end to the taper or silk.
Short Scale Bass vs. Long Scale Bass
The average bass scale length is around 34 inches for a four-string bass and 35 inches for a five-string bass. This medium length produces a bright, focused sound with the strings holding more tension. Short scale bass strings have less tension, creating a warm tone and stronger low-end. You can also get a long scale bass and even an extra-long bass, which means more tension and brightness.
This is why you need to buy the right string length. Since the strings are designed for different tension loads, putting long-scale strings on a short scale instrument (and vice versa) can lead to serious sound, intonation, playability and warping issues. In addition to other factors like bass string gauges, always consider the scale length when shopping for bass guitar strings.
Important! Each manufacturer has different "Speaking Lengths" so please reference the list below and make sure you are selecting the right "Scale Length" of string (Short, Medium, Long, etc) based on the "Speaking Length" of your Bass.
Speaking Lengths listed by Brand
Clear Tone Bass Strings:
- Long Scale = 37.5" Ball to Taper
D'Addario Bass Strings:
- Short Scale = 32" Ball to Taper (or Silk)
- Medium Scale = 34" Ball to Taper (or Silk)
- Long Scale = 37.1" Ball to Taper (or Silk)
- Super Long Scale = 38" Ball to Taper (or Silk)
DR Bass Strings:
- Short Scale = 34" Ball to Taper (or Silk)
- Long Scale = 38" Ball to Taper (or Silk)
- Extra Long Scale - 40.7" Ball to Taper (or Silk)
Dunlop Bass Strings:
- Long Scale = 37.25" Ball to Taper
Elixir Bass Strings:
- Long Scale = 36.5" Ball to Taper
- Extra Long Scale = 38" Ball to Taper
Ernie Ball Bass Strings:
- Long Scale = 37.25" Ball to Taper (or Silk)
- Super Long Scale = 38.25" Ball to Taper
Everly Bass Strings:
- Long Scale = 37.75" Ball to Taper
Fender Bass Strings:
- Short Scale = 32" Ball to Taper
- Medium Scale = 34" Ball to Taper
- Long Scale = 36.5" Ball to Taper
GHS Bass Strings:
- Short Scale: 32.75" Ball to Taper (or Silk)
- Medium Scale: 35.5" Ball to Taper (or Silk)
- Long Scale: 36.5" Ball to Taper (or Silk)
- Long Scale (Universal): 37.25" Ball to Taper (or Silk)
- Long Plus: 38" Ball to Taper (or Silk)
Ken Smith Bass Strings:
- Long Scale = 38" Ball to Silk
- Extra Long Scale = 40" Ball to Silk
- For some B strings there is a "Medium Scale" option = 36.5" Ball to Silk
La Bella Bass Strings:
- Short Scale = 32" Ball to Silk
- Medium Scale = 34" Ball to Silk
- Long Scale = 37" Ball to Silk
- Extra Long Scale = 38" Ball to Silk
- Hofner Beatle Bass = 34" Ball to Silk
Rotosound Bass Strings:
- Short Scale = 32" Ball to Silk
- Medium Scale = 34" Ball to Silk
- Long Scale = 37" Ball to Silk (or Taper)
- Extra Long Scale = 39" Ball to Silk
Thomastik-Infeld Bass Strings:
- Short Scale = 35.5" Ball to Silk
- Long Scale = 37" Ball to Silk
- Super Long Scale = 39.75" Ball to Silk
Taken from here: Bass Scale Length Chart and Guide - Strings and Beyond
