D'Addario B string not long enough for 35 scale?

[ilmaio]

Interesting post, wich had me thinking: i have a 5 string Ibanez BTB, and i always used d'addario extra-long.
Reading this post i noticed that the length problem applies only to the B string, right?
So, theoretically speaking, i may buy a long scale 4 string set and an individual superlong B, and they will fit my bass, right?
(in this case i can buy a double pack of long scale, one for my 4 string bass and one for my 5 stringer)

 

[ilmaio]

Hope this can help: intrigued by this thread yesterday i emailed D'Addario, asking information about strings lenght.
Here's the answer:

Q:Can i also ask you what are the total lenghts of the long scale
strings and of the superlong scale?
A:Both of these are 48 inches in total length. The long scale is 36 1/4 inches in winding versus the 38 inches of the super long.

So D'Addario confirmed that all of their strings are the same 48 inches length, the only difference between long and superlong is the lenght of the windings.

Then i asked about tapered B strings, since i'd like to try one on my Ibanez BTB:

Q: i have a question about the .130 EXL tapered bass string (XLB130TSL). How long is the tapered part of the string?
A:The XLB130TSL is tapered 2 inches at the ball end side. If you are referring to where the playing area begins to taper from the largest winding to the smallest as well, that begins at 38 inches.

p.s. D'addario has a great customer service, the replied to my my mail in less than an hour

 

[steve_rolfeca]

Bingo. The bridge plate on my 35" bass is just long enough that the 36 1/4" length of the windings on the D'Addario long-scale B string, puts the transition right on top of the nut. Buzz, buzz, buzz.

So I'm done like dinner, for the sake of a quarter inch. Sadly, I've never found a music store that stocks the Super Longs, so I always have to special-order, or mail order from suppliers like juststrings.com

Meanwhile, based on comments people made about other brands, I just tried a set of DR Sunbeams. They fit with about a half-inch to spare, so now I have a brand that I can pick up at regular mom-and-pop music stores. Bonus!

Hmmm. Doesn't that mean that people would have to use through-body stringing with DR's on regular long-scale basses?

Anyway, thank-you, TB. A useful lesson learned...

 

[Ric5]

So I recently got me a new pair of D'Addario Nickel Wound XL 170 bass strings and I'm really confused.

All of the strings seem to be perfectly fit for a 5 string bass EXCEPT the B string. Its starts to taper just shy of the nut. What gives with this? Has anyone else had a similar issue?

I mean, I would get it if all the string were the same but I can't for the life of me figure out why only one of the strings would be off.

34" scale 5 string basses sound and play just as good as a 35" scale bass.

 

[lowendfriend]

I used the XL DD Chromes on my 55-01 Lakland and it just barely made it. with maybe 5 mm to spare thru the nut toward the post. And that was top-loading!

Make sure you get the silk off to be sure you have a solid "witness" contact on the nut.

 

[richbassboy]

Im getting a 2010 Fender Jazz american 5 string, if I want to string it through the body will I need the superlongs?

d'addario is notoriously known for having a short B. You must get super long for 35 or string thru

 

[Metania]

Bingo. The bridge plate on my 35" bass is just long enough that the 36 1/4" length of the windings on the D'Addario long-scale B string, puts the transition right on top of the nut. Buzz, buzz, buzz.

So I'm done like dinner, for the sake of a quarter inch. Sadly, I've never found a music store that stocks the Super Longs, so I always have to special-order, or mail order from suppliers like juststrings.com

Meanwhile, based on comments people made about other brands, I just tried a set of DR Sunbeams. They fit with about a half-inch to spare, so now I have a brand that I can pick up at regular mom-and-pop music stores. Bonus!

Hmmm. Doesn't that mean that people would have to use through-body stringing with DR's on regular long-scale basses?

Anyway, thank-you, TB. A useful lesson learned...

I have both string thru and top loaders with DR strings. They are the less problematic strings I've tried. Smooth, clean tone.
My 6 string ESP also says 35", but it's not! It's 34".
I just bought a set of D'Addario Prosteels for it, and I will bet my old hat, that they'll be just a notch too long, so that the tapering doesn't fit..
Anyway, I prefer DR Fat Beams on most of my basses, and D'Addario chromes on my fretless.

 

[ggvicviper]

Im getting a 2010 Fender Jazz american 5 string, if I want to string it through the body will I need the superlongs?

Yes, definitely. I have to get the super long scale to thru body my American Standard P.