flat wound strings for Gretsch G5442BDC

[Jozef Claes]

Hello,
I just received my new short scale bass: Gretsch G5442BDC. It came with round wound strings. I will replace them with flat wound strings. And then becomes the problem: the length of the strings. I had contact with Labella en they said the Labella Low Tension flats long scale will do. I ordered them and no, the are too long. So I put them on my Rickenbacker.
Has anybody some experience with flat wound strings on the Gretsch g5442 ? please let me now.

regards from Belgium
Jozef Claes

 

[michael_t]

I just received my new short scale bass: Gretsch G5442BDC. It came with round wound strings. I will replace them with flat wound strings. And then becomes the problem: the length of the strings.

Measure the distance on your bass from where the E string ball end is seated to where the string just clears the nut (1). That would be the minimum "winding length" (ball end to taper/silk) needed. Then measure the distance from the ball end to the E tuner post (2), which is the maximum "winding length" you would want in order to avoid having any of the fully wound part of the string wrap around the post.

If you can get us those two measurements, we can make recommendations as to what you should be looking for in strings. Thanks.

 

[Jozef Claes]

Measure the distance on your bass from where the E string ball end is seated to where the string just clears the nut (1). That would be the minimum "winding length" (ball end to taper/silk) needed. Then measure the distance from the ball end to the E tuner post (2), which is the maximum "winding length" you would want in order to avoid having any of the fully wound part of the string wrap around the post.

If you can get us those two measurements, we can make recommendations as to what you should be looking for in strings. Thanks.

 

[Jozef Claes]

Hello Michael,
Ball-end to the nut is 34,5''
Distance the nut to the closest tuning post: 3''. (E-string)
It's not so easy to find the winding length.

Jozef

 

[michael_t]

Ball-end to the nut is 34,5''
Distance the nut to the closest tuning post: 3''. (E-string)
It's not so easy to find the winding length.

So, what you need is a set of strings with the winding length between 34.5" and 37.5" at least on the E. I'm surprised the La Bella Low Tension Flats "long scale" turned out too long as the E string on that set is supposed to be 36.75" in winding length, while the other three are 38".

GHS Precision Flats "medium scale" (3120, 45-95) = 35.5" in winding length = ideal length for your bass.
TI Jazz Flats "short scale" (JF324, 43-106) = 35.5" in winding length = good to go as well.
As far as I know, Pyramid "long scale" is 36" or 36.5" in winding length, which should work fine. Not 100% sure, though.

D'Addario "long scale" = 37.1" in winding length.
Ernie Ball "long scale" = 37.25" in winding length.
Dunlop "long scale" = 37.25" in winding length.