Did They Ever Make A Shortscale That...

[ZenG]

By utilizing a certain design, can use longscale strings?

I Know they've used longer strings with through-body design on such basses as the Mustang.

But those aren't full longscale strings....

I'm thinking if a shortscale body is cut a certain way....and uses through-body string design ...it could be done. Long scale strings aren't all THAT MUCH longer than shortscale...

Perhaps a slight protrudingextension on the end of the body itself ( call it a duck-tail) plus string-through design should it.

Scale length would still be short. Bridge/saddles left in exact position for scale length. Just change the anchor point of the strings by design to facilitate use of longscale strings.

Then all of us short worshippers would have zero trouble getting strings.(Much more selection and availibility)
And I imagine the bass would, on the whole , sound better too.

I can see a body design in my mind that would do it........just wondering if it's been done before....I'll draw up a sketch and post...

 

[neo 7]

Just a guess, but maybe some hollow bodies are like that. I've seen some of those wooden saddles up by the center of the body.

 

[edbass1]

What? Don't you just cut the string to fit? Even on my long scale basses, I'm often having to cut off like 6 inches of string, otherwise I'd have a huge mess of a winding around the tuner.

What am I missing that would stop you just cutting the string to fit? I've been playing a long time and never heard of this issue

 

[ZenG]

What? Don't you just cut the string to fit? Even on my long scale basses, I'm often having to cut off like 6 inches of string, otherwise I'd have a huge mess of a winding around the tuner.

What am I missing that would stop you just cutting the string to fit? I've been playing a long time and never heard of this issue

You missed the whole thing .100%.
I'm not talking about cutting strings to fit basses at all....

 

[1stnamebassist]

Someone was or is making a shortscale version of a scrollbass that used longscale strings. I'll see if I can find who was building it and pass on the link.

 

[1stnamebassist]

SSB Main
Here it is. Its called the SSB.

 

[Tanner5382]

Birdsong basses are made to be used with longscale strings.

 

[1stnamebassist]

Birdsong basses are made to be used with longscale strings.

I did not know that!

 

[ZenG]

I did not know that!

me neither......

 

[edbass1]

You missed the whole thing .100%.
I'm not talking about cutting strings to fit basses at all....

Ok but why is that not a possible solution?

 

[Jeff Scott]

By utilizing a certain design, can use longscale strings?

I Know they've used longer strings with through-body design on such basses as the Mustang.

But those aren't full longscale strings.....

I had a set of TI Jazz Flats JF344 on my mid '90s CIJ Mustang Bass, they worked quite well on it.

In fact, they sounded superb on that bass.

 

[FourBanger]

Reverse headstock solves the problem, because its the fatter E and A strings that give the most trouble when wound and/or cut.

 

[NoBlackTShirts]

Reverse headstock solves the problem, because its the fatter E and A strings that give the most trouble when wound and/or cut.

Wow, nice insight!

 

[1stnamebassist]

I used long scales from time to time on my Dano and Jerry Jones Longhorns. Never caused me any problems.
I could see where a flatwound going around a skinny tuning post could snap.

 

[pcake]

would you settle for a medium scale bass that feels small when playing it and uses long scale strings?
Traveler Guitar TB-4P Electric Bass Travel Guitar

 

[LightForce104]

Could someone explain to me why you would want this? My shorty doesn't seem to have any issues with the long scale strings I have on it.

 

[1stnamebassist]

Could someone explain to me why you would want this? My shorty doesn't seem to have any issues with the long scale strings I have on it.

A lot more string options. They don't make a lot of short scale strings. And long scale flatwound strings especially can cause problems on short scale instruments. They are not flexible and sometimes will snap when wrapped around a tuning post. Some rounds and half rounds can do the same, although I never had issues with any I tried.

 

[Mustang Surly]

I would think that flattening the bridge break angle and using a string-through design with angled pocket holes (as opposed to perpendicular string-through holes like on a Mustang) would do the job.

Invalid Link Removed

(example of pocket hole used in joinery)

 

[pcake]

as 1stnamebassist says, they make a lot more strings for 34" scale than 30".

 

[AshInAmsterdam]

Would there not be problems with string tension? I imagined that short scale strings were made to counter the lack of tension in a shorter scale.