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Available Short Scale Sets

#41
Rocket Queen said:
Fret Nation advertises DR Legends, although they’re marked as “currently unavailable.”
Also this is technically a medium scale set, but the description says that they “[w]ill fit some 30” instruments.” So maybe you can find these elsewhere.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
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Thanks - I searched for that model number and found them a few places Invalid Link Removed DR Legend Hi-Beam Flats Flatwound Bass Strings SFL-45 Medium Short Scale 45-105

Also just found these (where I'm getting my bass from anyways) Invalid Link Removed

I guess that is double my original list.
 
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#42
NinjaPyrate said:
Thanks - I searched for that model number and found them a few places Invalid Link Removed Invalid Link Removed.
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DR's "short scale" is 33.75" in winding length (ball end to silk). You might want to measure the distance on your bass from where the B string ball end is seated to the B tuner post to see if it's actually less than 33.75" just to make sure the main body of the B string doesn't end up wrapping around the post.

EDIT: Dunlop "short scale" = 32" ball end to silk. La Bella "short scale" = 32.25" ball end to silk.
 
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#44
HaphAsSard said:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed], the Legend set is .25" shorter than their rounds. (It may just be a missing "7" typo.)
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I wouldn't be surprised if their flats are slightly shorter than the rounds. Even La Bella has the "long scale" roundwound E at 37" and the flatwound E at 36.75".

The main point about my post is DR's "short scale" is actually closer to most others' "medium scale".
 
#45
michael_t said:
I wouldn't be surprised if their flats are slightly shorter than the rounds. Even La Bella has the "long scale" roundwound E at 37" and the flatwound E at 36.75".

The main point about my post is DR's "short scale" is actually closer to most others' "medium scale".
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Of course. It was just a heads-up to you, about this (apparent) slight discrepancy re: DR nominally "short-scale" winding lengths across sets.
 
#46
HaphAsSard said:
Of course. It was just a heads-up to you, about this (apparent) slight discrepancy re: DR nominally "short-scale" winding lengths across sets.
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It's also possible the discrepancy comes from the simple fact the silk covers part of the main body, which is how the silk is usually applied on flats.

So, 33.5" from "ball end to silk" = 33.75" from "ball end to taper".
 
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#47
I haven't yet tried La Bella DTF but have heard they are scooped - which is not what I'm looking for. I like the mids on my TIs but need a 5 string set which without DTF leaves Dunlop flats, La Bella Deep Talking White Nylons, and possibly DR Legends depending on the length (do not yet have my new bass). Has anyone tried these 3 and can compare? Bonus points if you've tried the 5-string versions. Also bonus points for which burp the best.
 
#48
NinjaPyrate said:
I haven't yet tried La Bella DTF but have heard they are scooped - which is not what I'm looking for. I like the mids on my TIs but need a 5 string set which without DTF leaves Dunlop flats, La Bella Deep Talking White Nylons, and possibly DR Legends depending on the length (do not yet have my new bass). Has anyone tried these 3 and can compare? Bonus points if you've tried the 5-string versions. Also bonus points for which burp the best.
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I don't hear them as scooped but some people do, if you don't like scooped then avoid Chromes, they are probably the most scooped sounding flat there is
 
#53
I have a 30-inch scale 5-string bass for which I'm looking for a set of flatwound strings. I would like to go with nickel wraps.

I found the La Bella RX-N5A strings online (see below)... seems to check all the boxes, although they're pricey.

Anyone know of any other options?

What if I went with stainless wraps?

Big thanks!

Screen Shot 2021-05-23 at 1.18.12 PM.png
 
#57
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#59
Great thread! Very useful.

You've left out a couple of my favorites though:

Both the Pyramid roundwound sets you've listed (Pure Nickel and Stainless Steel) are also available as 45-105. I personally find the 40-100 sets too floppy but the 45-105 sets are great! In fact, the Pure Nickels are probably my favourite short scale roundwounds.

You've also left out of perhaps the most classic short scale strings EVER, the Pyramid Gold flatwounds! The sound of The Beatles. These are available as 40-100 but also re-branded as Höfner strings with slightly different gauges 40-95 (possibly also SLIGHTLY different scale but I've never actually measured them so don't take my word for it). Pyramid Gold short scale strings are also available as singles in pretty much any gauge you can dream of so you can actually put together any set you want.
 
#60
shoulderpet said:
Just a heads up to anyone considering these, they are dreadful, I use the long scale set and cut them down to size
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Yeah, they really should stop selling this junk. I've always complained about the fact that many string manufacturers offer short scale strings in far too light gauges. This what causes the myth of short scale basses being inferior, floppy E-string, etc. Rotosound are BY FAR the worst offenders. Their short scale sets are completely useless. They are so floppy they can't even hold a steady pitch, making them impossible to tune, let alone intonate them!

We're WAY beyond personal preferences here, Rotosound short scale strings are utter garbage! I will be SHOCKED if there's even a single person out there who actually like these strings.
 
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