Looking for string sizes (and brands) to tune my 30" bass to CGDA. Tried using the search, but kept getting a "connection failed" message. Thanks.
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CGDA short scale strings
- Thread starter notverygood
- Start date
You will probably have to go to a singles custom set. Try D'Addario. Look up your favorite set of conventional short scale strings, see what the average tension per string is, then go to their string tension guide and see what gauges have that tension for those notes. Make sure you're looking at short scale. Then cross reference to what gauge string gives a similar tension. Then you can assemble your set.
Neither of them do short scale, and Naked Strings does not have "any gauge you could want".
It'll be really hard to find strings that'll work for CGDA, unless you're starting from C3, not C2.
TheEmptyCell said:
It doesn't look to be easy. I don't think I will find anything close to feeling balanced. I don't want to do it on one of my 34's, the reach would be too far I think.
What are the spec's of your short scale? (or what is the instrument).
Distance from Ball End to the tuning post the thickest string will be going on?
Also are the tuning posts larger diameter or smaller diameter?
Distance from Ball End to the tuning post the thickest string will be going on?
Also are the tuning posts larger diameter or smaller diameter?
I've always used regular scale strings on my short scale basses without any problems at all. Even my 25 inch scale Mikro bass. Somthing you might consider.
I'm glad you haven't had any problems. But with the increased diameter of the low strings, especially what may be required for a low C for the OP, that may cause the core to bind and break if the string is not the correct length with the speaking length tapering to the leader at the right point to go around the tuner post.
The rough rule for equal tension in fifths tuning is adjacent gauges in ratio 3:2. I've experimented with many fifths tunings, 125 80 50 30 or 130 85 55 35 will work well and be balanced. The lowest gauges will be available Bs and As, the top GDA strings will probably be thin enough to wrap around the tuner post at full gauge so you may be able to use standard length strings for those, so you may only need a short scale B string. It is possible, i'm sure SLaPiNFuNK at bassstringsonline could help you with this 
Actually, if you're doing C3 (A 3rd fret), not C2 as your low note, you might be able to use guitar strings, or just DGCF (highest 4 compared to a standard 7 string bass).
ixlramp said:The rough rule for equal tension in fifths tuning is adjacent gauges in ratio 3:2. I've experimented with many fifths tunings, 125 80 50 30 or 130 85 55 35 will work well and be balanced. The lowest gauges will be available Bs and As, the top GDA strings will probably be thin enough to wrap around the tuner post at full gauge so you may be able to use standard length strings for those, so you may only need a short scale B string. It is possible, i'm sure SLaPiNFuNK at bassstringsonline could help you with this
Thanks I may give these a try. I'm still a little on the fence about doing this. Have you enjoyed tuning in fifths, or is it not worth it?
With the Bronco small tuning posts it is going to be ideal to get a string made to the correct length.
You can always tune CFBbEb or C A D G
And yes, you will really only need the B string to be Short Scale, although finding a .080/.085 is not hard to get in a short scale. so might as well use that too... For the other strings you can use any length as they do not have a taper on them.
As ixlramp pointed out, I can help you with this. I can have Short Scale strings made up to order... It just takes a bit so you will have plenty of time to ponder the rest of the tuning
You can always tune CFBbEb or C A D G
And yes, you will really only need the B string to be Short Scale, although finding a .080/.085 is not hard to get in a short scale. so might as well use that too... For the other strings you can use any length as they do not have a taper on them.
As ixlramp pointed out, I can help you with this. I can have Short Scale strings made up to order... It just takes a bit so you will have plenty of time to ponder the rest of the tuning
SLaPiNFuNK said:With the Bronco small tuning posts it is going to be ideal to get a string made to the correct length.
You can always tune CFBbEb or C A D G
And yes, you will really only need the B string to be Short Scale, although finding a .080/.085 is not hard to get in a short scale. so might as well use that too... For the other strings you can use any length as they do not have a taper on them.
As ixlramp pointed out, I can help you with this. I can have Short Scale strings made up to order... It just takes a bit so you will have plenty of time to ponder the rest of the tuning
Well, I have really no idea what would work best so I would go with whatever you would recommend. If I decide to do it anyway. I have a hard enough time in standard tuning. I'll shoot you a PM if I decide to do it. And thanks for the info.
Oh crumbs yes! I love fifths and have tuned that way since 1996. I certainly recommend trying it, although you may find it takes a couple of months to acclimatise to the larger jumps in tonal character between strings, at first that may sound 'wrong' but that is down to being used to standard. Fifths can slow you down a little if you're playing basslines written on standard tuning due to more hand shifting, so it's better for original music.
What gauges do you like for standard tuning?
If your posts are smaller than the average bass all you need is the low C and G to be 'short scale' strings designed for 30" scale.
125 80 50 30 extra light.
130 85 55 35 light.
135 90 60 40 medium.
All 3 sets are roughly tension balanced.
You mean CGDA with the low C being a semitone above a standard 5 string low B? Cello tuning is 1 octave higher and could be done using standard length bass strings plus plain steel guitar strings since they will be thinner.
I've enjoyed it a lot, much more than playing a five string. But it is like a five string in that some take to it quite well and some do not. Only you will know if it is good for you and then only after you try it. I would not dismiss giving it a try on a 34 if you cannot get short scale strings that will fit and work well. A low C is pretty low for a short scale. The thing that convinced me to try CGDA on a 34 was the discovery that a small but growing number of double bassists have switched to that tuning. If it works at 43 inches then it also works at 34 inches.
Now if it is just a fifths tuning that you want to try and you do not need the cello tuning specifically you could consider other fifths tunings. I am using the violin tuning, GDAE, on one of my basses right now as an experiment. That is the G above the traditional E on the EADG fourths tuning so it gives me a bit of a baritone bass and my initial impression is that this is a useful thing to do with a bass that didn't have a specific purpose before. IMO it is particularly good for chording. Another option would be FCGD, starting on the F just above the traditional E. Either of those options might be easier to find short scale strings for and they should work quite well on a short scale.
Ken
khutch said:
What strings do you use for GDAE? I'm like you in that I'm trying to find a use for my bronco. It was the first bass I ever liked as well as the one I learned how to do setups and mods on so I want to keep it, but I don't want it collecting dust. I play mandolin so GDAE would interest me as well.
ixlramp said:
I had thought low C at first, but I like the idea of an octave higher. As long as the strings balanced well. What gauge would you start the C at? 70-80? And then regular guitar strings for the D and A?
