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Choosing strings for a ‘longer’ short scale Hofner.

Rockin John

Rockin John

Dec 20, 2000
2,070
292
Leicestershire, UK.
#1
Hello.

I have two, Hofner 500/7 basses. They are identical, except for the string retainers: one retainer is shorter than the other by approx 2" - 50mm. I'm assuming both basses are original but, as both were bought used, I cannot be sure.

Hofner brand strings fit the long-retainer bass, as do other makes of strings designed for Hofner basses. Eg. La Bella.

However, these strings do not fit the short-retainer bass: they're short by about that 2". To use these strings I made four little extenders. This works well, but it'd be good to buy strings that'll fit.

Can anyone suggest which strings might get me over this problem?

Tks.

John
 
#2
Rockin John said:
Hofner brand strings fit the long-retainer bass, as do other makes of strings designed for Hofner basses. Eg. La Bella.

However, these strings do not fit the short-retainer bass: they're short by about that 2".
Click to expand...

The Beatle set by La Bella is 34" in winding length (ball end to taper/silk), which is considered "medium scale". If you need them shorter by 2", you can try "short scale" by most major manufacturers, which ranges from 32" to 32.75" in winding length, with the exception of TI (35.5").

EDIT: Did I misinterpret your question? Are you looking for a set that's 2" longer or 2" shorter than the standard Hofner set, eg La Bella Beatle set?
 
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#3
As per photos. The extenders are covered in black tubing.
IMG_0592.jpeg
IMG_0594.jpeg
 
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#4
Rockin John said:
As per photos. The extenders are covered in black tubing.View attachment 5343913 View attachment 5343917
Click to expand...
Pyramid long-scale flatwounds are shorter than most, at 36.4" from ball end to headstock-end silk/taper. In order to verify if they fit, measure the bass with the extenders: from the ball-end anchoring spot at the tailpiece, to low-E tuning post.
Should they be too long, you could custom-order a slightly shorter version from the company.
 
#5
michael_t said:
The Beatle set by La Bella is 34" in winding length (ball end to taper/silk), which is considered "medium scale". If you need them shorter by 2", you can try "short scale" by most major manufacturers, which ranges from 32" to 32.75" in winding length, with the exception of TI (35.5").

EDIT: Did I misinterpret your question? Are you looking for a set that's 2" longer or 2" shorter than the standard Hofner set, eg La Bella Beatle set?
Click to expand...
******

Hello, Michael t, and thanks.
 
#6
Rockin John said:
******

Hello, Michael t, and thanks.
Click to expand...

The La Bella sets and Hofner sets fit perfectly on the darker bass with the long retainer and plastic pick guard. This is all fine and causes no issues.

Those strings will not fit the other bass - the one with the reddish colour and no pick guard. That's because these strings are (effectively) too short as the retainer is also short. When stringing-up, the top silks don't go past the top nut; in fact they rest approx between frets two and three.

Therefore - I want longer than normal strings for a Hofner, to fit the reddish bass, not to shorten strings.

I hope that makes sense. However I do accept this is a bit of an odd enquiry.

John
 
#8
michael_t said:
I do understand your question now.

"Medium scale" by GHS and "short scale" by TI are both 35.5" in winding length (ball end to taper/silk). Would that be long enough for the full winding to go past the nut on that bass in question?
Click to expand...
***********

Yes, probably so. The Hofner and La Bella strings are 34", ball end to silk.

The strings I'd need for the reddish bass would be 35 1/2" Baal end to silk.

I have Hofner rounds on the dark bass, so would like to find some flats for the reddish one. It currently has La Bella, Deep Talkin' flats for Beatle Bass on it (incl. the extenders, of course). The G string snapped, hence the need to sort some new strings.

John
 
#9
Rockin John said:
The strings I'd need for the reddish bass would be 35 1/2" Ball end to silk.

I have Hofner rounds on the dark bass, so would like to find some flats for the reddish one. It currently has La Bella, Deep Talkin' flats for Beatle Bass on it (incl. the extenders, of course). The G string snapped, hence the need to sort some new strings.
Click to expand...

GHS Precision Flats are considered "old school" like the La Bella, and they do come in "medium scale" with 35.5" winding length.

3120 SET - MEDIUM SCALE PRECISION FLATS™

TI Jazz Flats "short scale" are also 35.5" in winding length.

Since you're based in UK, you might also want to check into Pyramid flats. As far as I know, you can customize the winding lengths.
 
#10
michael_t said:
GHS Precision Flats are considered "old school" like the La Bella, and they do come in "medium scale" with 35.5" winding length.

3120 SET - MEDIUM SCALE PRECISION FLATS™

TI Jazz Flats "short scale" are also 35.5" in winding length.

Since you're based in UK, you might also want to check into Pyramid flats. As far as I know, you can customize the winding lengths.
Click to expand...
********

Excellent. Thank you V much.
 
#11
If you don't mind replacing the short tail piece you can solve the problem altogether by replacing it with a longer one. Original Höfner spare parts are readily available. They sell both the short and long bass tail pieces separately as spare parts. Maybe Thomann have them in stock? I'm pretty sure I've seen Höfner tail pieces there. Just make sure you get the right one and not another short one!;)

Replacing the tail piece is easy. Once you've removed the strings it should only be a matter of loosening/re-tightening three screws.

AFAIK these basses should have the long tail piece so you would actually be restoring it to correct specs. Someone must have replaced the original tail piece with the short one, which is used on Höfner's Violin and Club basses.
 
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#13
Let us all repeat the mantra:
1) measure from the ball anchor to the tuner side of the nut;
2) measure from the ball anchor to the middle of the tuner post of the lowest string, in this case, the E string;
3) purchase a set of strings where the winding length or speaking length of the string is between these two measurements.
 
#14
Ok and thanks. Hofner parts are available in UK. I enquired a couple of years ago about a long tail piece from a (the only?) company doing Hofner parts over here. They wanted around £80. It's probably more than that, now. At the time I considered it not cost effective so took it no further. It doesn't bother me that the bass is non-standard, TBH.

Tks V much for your suggestion, however.

John
 
#15
iiipopes said:
Let us all repeat the mantra:
1) measure from the ball anchor to the tuner side of the nut;
2) measure from the ball anchor to the middle of the tuner post of the lowest string, in this case, the E string;
3) purchase a set of strings where the winding length or speaking length of the string is between these two measurements.
Click to expand...
*******

Yes. Thanks.

Unfortunately, most string makers do not specify ball end to silk distance - or I've been unable to find it on their web pages. That makes the exercise impossible to carry out, so the mantra fails! I therefore ask, here, if guys have experience.

Thanks.

John
 
#18
Rockin John said:
*******

Yes. Thanks.

Unfortunately, most string makers do not specify ball end to silk distance - or I've been unable to find it on their web pages. That makes the exercise impossible to carry out, so the mantra fails! I therefore ask, here, if guys have experience.

Thanks.

John
Click to expand...
Most USA makers do. It is regrettable you have had such bad luck. For example, we're talking a Hofner bass: La Bella makes a special set for Hofners and advertises the ball-to-silk, or speaking, or wound length and says in the web page it is 34-inches ball to silk. 760FHB2 "Beatle" Bass Stainless Flats – 39-96
 
#20
EvilJ said:
They don't as of the last time I was ordering, but it has been about 6 months.
Click to expand...

The OP is looking for flats for the bass in question.

Rockin John said:
I have Hofner rounds on the dark bass, so would like to find some flats for the reddish one. It currently has La Bella, Deep Talkin' flats for Beatle Bass on it (incl. the extenders, of course). The G string snapped, hence the need to sort some new strings.
Click to expand...
 

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