Can a long scale bass strings be put on a short scale bass?

[GIBrat51]

As you've probably figured out by now, the answer is; yes, you can, But...
- It depends on the bass. All of these basses are short scale, but;
--- this Gretsch is so large, it needs long scale strings generally, but a couple brands of mediums will work - sorta:
--- this Epiphone needs medium scale strings generally, but a couple brands of short scales will work - sorta;
--- This Kramer Duke needs short scale strings; and, even then, not all of them will work on it.
- It depends on the tuners. Guitar-style tuners (like the Kramer) have holes too small for the large diameter of a cut-off long scale string. Tuners with small diameter shafts may work, depending on the particular brand/type of strings. Or, they might not... Large diameter shafts will probably work, but it's a pain to get the strings to wind properly...
- It depends on the strings. This is generally a bad idea with flat wounds, but, depending on brand/gauge, you might get away with it, if you put the right angle bend in the string first, before you cut it. Rounds? I've done it, but I bent the strings first, and was very slow and careful with winding them on the tuner pegs. Even then, it required a lot of hand-bending the strings to get them to wind properly...

Honestly, the only time I'd do this would be: if I had to play right now, and had no choice; if I was flat broke, and had no choice; or if the strings I really, really wanted on my bass only came in long scale, so I had no choice. Otherwise, it's just more trouble than it's worth...

 

[SasquatchDude]

I've put four different long-scale sets on my sister's 30" Mustang (which, granted, takes medium-scale strings) with no issues.

Yeah, the E string wraps around the post at full thickness... is that ideal? No. Has anything failed catastrophically as a result? No.

 

[Fender_Bender]

As you've probably gathered by now the issues have nothing to do with the nut slots, which seemed to be your main concern, but rather how the bigger strings wrap around the tuner shaft. It's not really a great idea to have the full diameter portion of the string wrapped around the tuner. If your new bass has the full size Fender style tuners with cloverleaf style paddles you're much more likely to have success than you are with smaller tuners because the tuner shaft will be smaller on those.

 

[Basswoman99]

You will have no problem whatsoever as long as they are the proper thickness. I have been cutting down strings for thirty years. Never had a problem.

Okay! Got it thanks

 

[Basswoman99]

Strings-through-body. Vs. strings-through-bridge. The former used more of the total string length so some short scale basses can use long scale strings.

Oh, okay. Thanks. Well, I have a string through bridge...

 

[Basswoman99]

I'm sorry, but what part of "no problem, ever" don't you understand? I have Curt Mangan nickel-wound 45-105s on all my basses. No adjustments. A millimeter this way or that way does not require them. I don't wipe my bass off with a soft cloth after every use, either.

Well, I have a different type of bass and bass strings from yours and I think my bass will need those mods if I want to use my long strings.

 

[Basswoman99]

Haha

I'm not well-versed in Interweb Acrinomy, but I've been around here long enough to take a guess...

TI = Thomastik-Infeld JF344 = Model CIJ = Crafted in Japan S-T-BDY = String-thru the body YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary (or, if addressing obnoxious, egotistical guitar player = "You Make Me ")

Haha! Thanks a lot

 

[Basswoman99]

In general - it is not a good idea.
1. You may need to wrap the full diameter string around the tuning posts instead of just the tails. It can lead to a big pile o'string and tuning problems.
2. Strings are wound under tension - their final tension. Long scale strings can never reach proper tension on a short scale bass, even if you get them on. The sound will suffer somewhat.
3. Cutting flats is a big no-no.

Just a quite comment about Mustang basses - because the are mandatory string-through (except the new ones) they require Medium scale strings to fit properly, and there are dang few MS strings - at least none of my favorites.

Ah, okay. Thanks

 

[Basswoman99]

O

Cool shorty! That's a lot like what I'm looking for.
What brand is that?
I'm not good at deciphering what's what without seeing a name on a head stock.

Also I think with short scale strings, the tension is different, when in tune, compared to a long.

Okay, (I forgot to put this up earlier, because I thought all short scaled basses are the same but I just found out that's it's not!) So, it's an SX vintage White P-bass, (a fender copy). The tone sounds a lot like a fender standard P basses, and it's a really good build quality as well! The design is really good too. Also, it is a bang for your buck! Like the bass' is $300 (I got it at $200 - sale discount at my place lol). I think it's worth buying if you don't want to spend extra money on the fender short scale mustang bass.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Well, I have a different type of bass and bass strings from yours and I think my bass will need those mods if I want to use my long strings.

Suit yourself. As grandpa used to say, "Your canceled check is your receipt."

 

[J-Bassomatic]

Must have tough tuners or something.

 

[Basswoman99]

Suit yourself. As grandpa used to say, "Your canceled check is your receipt."

Haha, thanks a lot again!

 

[Zooberwerx]

Here's a representative pic donated by a fellow TBer. Great bass / great strings but can anybody see the problem?

Yes, it's the larger gauge B string and the winding length is a bit too long. It didn't break but was certainly resistant to bending resulting in a "leaf spring" between the tuner post and nut. I refer to this portion of the afterlength as such 'cuz it will flex when fretted, plucked, etc. and this is undesirable. The E string almost makes the cut and the A / D / G are all clean.

Riis

 

[Basswoman99]

As you've probably gathered by now the issues have nothing to do with the nut slots, which seemed to be your main concern, but rather how the bigger strings wrap around the tuner shaft. It's not really a great idea to have the full diameter portion of the string wrapped around the tuner. If your new bass has the full size Fender style tuners with cloverleaf style paddles you're much more likely to have success than you are with smaller tuners because the tuner shaft will be smaller on those.

Yeah, true. Thanks

 

[Fender_Bender]

Yeah, true. Thanks

Good luck, let us know how it works out for you.

 

[Basswoman99]

Good luck, let us know how it works out for you.

Thanks and I will!

 

[NoiseNinja]

Yup, in fact I just did that.

Used a regular set of bass strings to swap the 095-040 gauge strings for a set of 105-045 on my Ibanez Mikro (28,6" scale).

I did have problems with getting the 105 to fit in the tuner slot, but I just unwrapped some windings of the wrap at the end of the string cut to proper size and made sure that the string got a couple of wraps around the tuner post to secure it.

I have done it before too without any problems what so ever.

If you do have an irrational fear that the wrappings around the strings will magically unwound, fulled by some of the horror stories in this thread, just give the end piece of the strings a soldering job and you should be 100% safe.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Here's a representative pic donated by a fellow TBer. Great bass / great strings but can anybody see the problem?

Riis

Besides the wrap as you mentioned, there is also the poor witness point on that string, the look of the nut, and most important of all, the name on the headstock, if a certain thread about the builder has any meaning.

 

[Basswoman99]

Yup, in fact I just did that.

Used a regular set of bass strings to swap the 095-040 gauge strings for a set of 105-045 on my Ibanez Mikro (28,6" scale).

I did have problems with getting the 105 to fit in the tuner slot, but I just unwrapped some windings of the wrap at the end of the string cut to proper size and made sure that the string got a couple of warps around the tuner post to secure it.

I have done it before too without any problems what so ever.

If you do have an irrational fear that the wrappings around the strings will magically unwound, fulled by some of the horror stories in this thread, just give the end piece of the strings a soldering job and you should be 100% safe.

I think I'll consider and contemplate to your idea at this point, and if it doesn't work then i'll just buy a proper strings for it.

 

[jbell35]

So first measure your bass for length an get proper length strings, guage is impotant when fitting in the nut slots and feeding in the bridge. If you have long scale strings and you have short scale bass . Sell or trade those strings.