DR short scale: winding too short on low E?

[Jordan Bay]

My first time restringing my 32" scale Fender J Bass, and I bought two sets of DR Sunbeams in "short scale" based on the string winding length chart on Fret Nation, which claims 34" winding:

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Long story short, the winding on A and D are indeed 34" (or nearly) and perfectly clear the nut, but winding on low E is only 33 1/8" to the first part of the taper, then 33 3/8" to the second part... meaning it does not fully clear the nut. See photo, the arrow points to the first part of the E string taper:

Both sets of strings are like this, with the low E winding being far shorter than either DR or Fret Nation say...

Two questions:
1) This seems not ideal, but if I'm not noticing any fret issues - can I keep it like this?
2) Should I return the second set, contact DR, or let it be? I don't understand how the windings can be that short.

 

[michael_t]

DR changed the specs on their "short scale" sets a few years ago. It used to be 33.75" on all four, but they decided to shortened the E down to 33".

I emailed them about that, telling them it was a mistake on their part. I never did receive any response from them.

 

[Jordan Bay]

DR changed the specs on their "short scale" sets a few years ago. It used to be 33.75" on all four, but they decided to shortened the E down to 33".

Oh brother. Thank you for the information. Saved me a headache.

I’ll be returning the second set and I suppose I’ll not buy DR again.

I put a set of GHS medium scale on another 32” bass and they were ideal. What a shame from DR.

 

[michael_t]

What a shame from DR.

If DR wants to shorten any of their strings, they should do it with B and E strings on the "long scale". The winding length of 37.75" usually turns out to be a bit too long on a typical 34" scale Fender-style headstock for the B on a 5-strings and for the E on a 4-string. I wish they would shorten them to 37" so they would fit properly on my 34" scale basses. I even suggested that to them in the same email I sent to them about their short-scale mistake. Again, no response.

 

[Jordan Bay]

Seems some odd choices being made…

I would kill for some GHS Pressurewounds in their medium scale, or heck even their Balanced Nickels. Their medium scale flats are