Bridge loading strings and length

[Misterhappy]

Hey all. I bought a set of Ernie Ball flatwounds 105 to 50 for my player precision bass. Frustratingly I did not see or understand all the information other than thickness so I will put up a picture and please tell me if I am missing something.

The G, D, and A strings were no problem but when I got to the E it was quite a few inches longer so I did have to cut it which now has the fat part of the string only a 1/4 turn around the post.

So compared to the others with several wraps the E string has approximately 1.5 turns on the peg and a tad of the actual string but I have no tuning issues.

My question is if there is a way for me to know if the strings I buy are made for string through body or just the bridge? If my scale is 34 I am taking a guess through the body might be 37 or 38 inches?

I bought them in store without getting to research as they were the only flats there. It just seems like there is not enough info on the pack outside of the thickness. I have not bought strings in 25 years or so forgive me if I missed this Q&A already listed but I did not see it. Thank you.

20211028_193357

• Misterhappy
• Oct 29, 2021
• too long

Wrong size?

 

[Misterhappy]

It doesn't even say long or short scale on the package the only thing I see is the 2813 on the lower right corner and I have no idea what that means if anything.

 

[michael_t]

My question is if there is a way for me to know if the strings I buy are made for string through body or just the bridge? If my scale is 34 I am taking a guess through the body might be 37 or 38 inches?

Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats don't come in "top-load version" and "thru-body" version as such. The "long scale" set comes in one winding length, which is 37.25" from ball end to silk, which is long enough to be used for either installation methods on a typical 34" scale Fender. This means it's possible for a little bit of the unsilked part of the E string to end up wrapping around the tuner post when top-loaded, depending on the bridge design. This is normal and shouldn't cause any issues as these flats are relatively flexible and pliable.

 

[Misterhappy]

Thank you. As you said they're fine in a technical sense as in no tuning issues was just wondering if I should of been looking for something else.

So with rounds I will see a string length on the package and I will be shooting for 34"?

 

[michael_t]

So with rounds I will see a string length on the package and I will be shooting for 34"?

Learn to differentiate between "scale length" and "winding length". What's confusing is most string manufacturers refer to their string lengths in "scale length", which is not the most reliable method as different companies define their "scale length" differently.

That said, as a general rule, for a typical 34" scale Fenders, you'd be looking for "long scale" strings. Again, it can vary in terms of the actual winding length (ball end to taper/silk) depending on the brand.

 

[GIBrat51]

Learn to differentiate between "scale length" and "winding length". What's confusing is most string manufacturers refer to their string lengths in "scale length", which is not the most reliable method as different companies define their "scale length" differently.

That said, as a general rule, for a typical 34" scale Fenders, you'd be looking for "long scale" strings. Again, it can vary in terms of the actual winding length (ball end to taper/silk) depending on the brand.

^^This^^ Another thing to remember is that string companies don't know what kind of bass you're going to put their strings on. Aside from the scale length; does it have a 4-in-line headstock? A 2+2? Does it have a one piece bridge? A 2 piece bridge? A floating bridge and a trapeze tailpiece? The string company has to try and make strings that fit your Fender, with 4-in-line headstock and a one piece bridge - as well as my Gretsch, with it's trapeze tailpiece/floating bridge and a 2+2 headstock. I find it kind of amazing that they manage it as well as they do. Unfortunately, because the strings have to work with so many variables, it's pretty common for a bass like your Fender to wind up with a little of the "speaking" part of the E string wrapped around the tuner post. With few exceptions, the E strings on my Fender-style basses - and my Fender P-Bass - do that, too. Yeah, it does spoil the look - but it doesn't hurt anything...