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Favorite Short Scale Strings? Why?
- Thread starter donahue
- Start date
Forget hex core... The best string for short scale is GHS Balanced Nickels (pure nickel roundwound on a round core). Just ask @iiipopes, and he'll tell you why. 
SETS - SHORT SCALE BALANCED NICKELS
SETS - SHORT SCALE BALANCED NICKELS
I figured these would last for years, so why not?
Most nickel rounds on the market are hex-core. D'addario Nickel XLs are a decent cheap place to start.
What bass is the one in question? Unfortunately there isn't a standard winding length for strings labeled as "short-scale" as many short-scale basses require longer strings either because of tailpieces (like Beatle Basses) or stringing through the body (like Fender Mustangs), which means that on a short-scale bass with standard top-loading bridge some "short-scale" strings will be a little too long and you will end up wrapping the thick part of the E string around the tuning post (not ideal, and depending on the strings and tuner diameter, potentially prone to string breakage).
Thomastik JF324H
Make sure you get the Hofner specific set. ( that’s the ‘H’ in the name). They have thinner string ends to fit Hofner machine heads but THAT’S NOT THE POINT!!!
The standard JF324 set have a much heavier E string which doesn’t sit well with the other strings in the set.
If you like a flexible string these are the ones.
Make sure you get the Hofner specific set. ( that’s the ‘H’ in the name). They have thinner string ends to fit Hofner machine heads but THAT’S NOT THE POINT!!!
The standard JF324 set have a much heavier E string which doesn’t sit well with the other strings in the set.
If you like a flexible string these are the ones.
Fellas, it's an Epiphone Korina V bass, with top load bridge.
My preference is round wounds.
I like the immediacy and punchiness of short scales but they lack liveliness imo. I was looking for some string to wake it up some if that makes sense.
Thanks for the suggestions. Keep em coming.
My preference is round wounds.
I like the immediacy and punchiness of short scales but they lack liveliness imo. I was looking for some string to wake it up some if that makes sense.
Thanks for the suggestions. Keep em coming.
Fyi...
I've just read in another thread that D'Addario has discontinued "super long", "medium scale" and "short scale" versions of the ProSteels, leaving only the standard "long scale".
Hot dang, I read about it literally seconds ago, (probably) in that same thread...
OP, get them while/if they're still in stock!
EDIT - or try either Dunlop Super Bright Stainless Steel short-scale set -
DBSBS45105S (.045 .065 .085 .105)
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or DBSBS40100S (.040 .060 .080 .100)
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Coming back to my initial recommendation for the GHS Balanced Nickels...
Being pure nickel, they may not be the liveliest strings, but they do provide deep, focused lows with smooth yet clear midrange.
Also, they're specifically designed for tonal balance not only across all four strings but also up and down the neck. Plenty of tension even on a short scale not to go all loose and floppy like some short-scale strings tend to do.
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D
Pyramid Pure Nickels 45-150 (the blue packaging) - These are my personal favourite roundwounds and yes, they are hex core. You will never find a warmer, fatter sounding roundwound string. They need a couple of weeks/months before they reach their optimal tone but they will last a VERY long time. They're a bit like flats in that respect, they just get better and better with age IMO.
The problem with short scale strings is that most of them are a floppy mess because the gauges are much too light for a short scale instrument. The only short scale strings I've found to be acceptable (in addition to the Pyramids mentioned above) are:
All Pyramid 45-105 roundwounds
Pyramid Gold (flatwounds)
GHS Balanced nickels
LaBella Deep Talkin' flats (but not the lightest gauges)
Dunlop flats (I think the ones I've got are 45-105).
Most other short scale strings are RUBBISH in my opinion, with Roto 66s being the worst of them all (I love LONG scale Rotos though).
EDIT: I guess D'Addario XLs come in usable short scale gauges too but I can't stand the harsh, metallic D'Addario signature tone so I've never bothered testing their short scale sets.
The problem with short scale strings is that most of them are a floppy mess because the gauges are much too light for a short scale instrument. The only short scale strings I've found to be acceptable (in addition to the Pyramids mentioned above) are:
All Pyramid 45-105 roundwounds
Pyramid Gold (flatwounds)
GHS Balanced nickels
LaBella Deep Talkin' flats (but not the lightest gauges)
Dunlop flats (I think the ones I've got are 45-105).
Most other short scale strings are RUBBISH in my opinion, with Roto 66s being the worst of them all (I love LONG scale Rotos though).
EDIT: I guess D'Addario XLs come in usable short scale gauges too but I can't stand the harsh, metallic D'Addario signature tone so I've never bothered testing their short scale sets.
D
GHS Boomers is a weird one. They come in two gauges for short scale but I find the lightest set far too floppy and the heavier one too stiff. We all have different taste of course but for me they somehow completely missed the mark with the short scale Boomers.
D'Addario ETB92S Nylon Tapewounds
Why?
I like the tone, and they feel slicker than cat poop on a linoleum floor.
Why?
I like the tone, and they feel slicker than cat poop on a linoleum floor.
D
I can't stand the INSANE drop in tension from E to A on the Jazz Flats short scale sets. A-D-G are the same gauges as the long scale set (which is one of my favourite strings) but they made the E-string a LOT heavier. Very weird. The hard-to-find "Höfner" set is much better with TI short scale flats IMO. Same A-D-G but with a lighter E-string that matches the rest of the set better. But ideally ALL of the strings should be slightly heavier gauge IMO. These strings are already quite floppy on a long scale instrument and with the same gauges on a short scale... they are EXTREMELY low tension.
The TI Jazz Rounds are actually much nicer for short scale instruments IMO. These are also very light gauge strings but the gauges seem to work much better on a short scale. In fact, I forgot these in my previous post. These are the ONE exception to my distaste for ultra light gauge short scale strings. In fact, they are amazing! Even better than the long scale sets!
Ghs boomers much more tention and dark punch.
Dr sunbeams very sweet sounding.
Dr highbeams clarity and definition,little less wormth.
All depends on the bass and what you want to hear.
For example I installed highbeams on a gibson sg and it transformed the bass now it rings out and can fit more types of music.
Dr sunbeams very sweet sounding.
Dr highbeams clarity and definition,little less wormth.
All depends on the bass and what you want to hear.
For example I installed highbeams on a gibson sg and it transformed the bass now it rings out and can fit more types of music.
OK, since nobody else has posted aside from michael_t's reference:
GHS Balanced Pure Nickels: God's gift to short scale bass players.
They have a big, round tone.
They are consistent in tone and feel string-to-string and up the neck.
They don't twang or thud.
Since pure nickel is more dense and has more mass for the given diameter windings than nickel plated steel, they have enough tension to be stable on a short scale.
They are not flimsy or floppy.
They have solid stable intonation and fretting.
They have good longetivity: my last set lasted over two years.
They are relatively inexpensive.
Finally, remember: it is not the scale length. Measure the distance from the ball anchor to the tuner side of the nut, then measure the distance from the ball anchor to the middle of the lowest string tuner post. Purchase strings with a winding length or speaking length in between those two numbers. Jon @ GHS Strings is the architect of GHS Balanced Pure Nickel strings. He has done extensive research to make sure the strings fit a vast majority of short scale basses. But you still have to measure to make sure they will fit. He has printed on the envelope that the BPN's have a speaking length of 32.75 inches. In another thread, there is an extended discussion of whether they will fit through-body Mustangs. Likewise, Hofners are a strange beast when it comes to strings, and you must purchase the dedicated sets for all the reasons discussed. Worst of all, the string anchor on a Harmony H-22 is at the bottom of the body, and there is so much space between the bridge and the tail anchor that regular long scale strings are required on that bass. My comments are limited to short scale basses that have typical top-load plate bridges. Please, measure, measure, measure!
GHS Balanced Pure Nickels: God's gift to short scale bass players.
They have a big, round tone.
They are consistent in tone and feel string-to-string and up the neck.
They don't twang or thud.
Since pure nickel is more dense and has more mass for the given diameter windings than nickel plated steel, they have enough tension to be stable on a short scale.
They are not flimsy or floppy.
They have solid stable intonation and fretting.
They have good longetivity: my last set lasted over two years.
They are relatively inexpensive.
Finally, remember: it is not the scale length. Measure the distance from the ball anchor to the tuner side of the nut, then measure the distance from the ball anchor to the middle of the lowest string tuner post. Purchase strings with a winding length or speaking length in between those two numbers. Jon @ GHS Strings is the architect of GHS Balanced Pure Nickel strings. He has done extensive research to make sure the strings fit a vast majority of short scale basses. But you still have to measure to make sure they will fit. He has printed on the envelope that the BPN's have a speaking length of 32.75 inches. In another thread, there is an extended discussion of whether they will fit through-body Mustangs. Likewise, Hofners are a strange beast when it comes to strings, and you must purchase the dedicated sets for all the reasons discussed. Worst of all, the string anchor on a Harmony H-22 is at the bottom of the body, and there is so much space between the bridge and the tail anchor that regular long scale strings are required on that bass. My comments are limited to short scale basses that have typical top-load plate bridges. Please, measure, measure, measure!
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Yet another option if you like flatwounds, and don't plan on changing your strings anytime soon:
