Flats or Tapes for 28.5" short scale?

[evs]

I have a Jackson Minion bass.

I would, ideally, like to put flats or tapes on it.

I've been told that if I use flats (even ones suited to a 30" scale), that I run the risk of the string breaking if the fat part of the string wraps around the tuner post on my 28.5" scale.

Does the same occur with tapewounds, or are they generally a safer bet?

Has anyone with the smaller basses (minions, micro's etc) got any experience with these?

 

[michael_t]

I have a Jackson Minion bass...

I've been told that if I use flats (even ones suited to a 30" scale), that I run the risk of the string breaking if the fat part of the string wraps around the tuner post on my 28.5" scale.

First thing first... Measure the physical distance on your bass from where the ball end on the E string sits to where it just clears the nut (1). Then measure the distance from where the ball end on the E string sits to the E tuner post (2).

(1) is the minimum "winding length" you need, and (2) is the maximum winding length you want in order to avoid having too much of the main body wrapping around the post. Not all "short scale" strings are created equal; the actual winding length can range anywhere from 32" to 35.5" depending on the manufacturer.

Once you have those two measurements, we can make recommendations accordingly.

 

[evs]

First thing first... Measure the physical distance on your bass from where the ball end on the E string sits to where it just clears the nut (1). Then measure the distance from where the ball end on the E string sits to the E tuner post (2).

(1) is the minimum "winding length" you need, and (2) is the maximum winding length you want in order to avoid having too much of the main body wrapping around the post. Not all "short scale" strings are created equal; the actual winding length can range anywhere from 32" to 35.5" depending on the manufacturer.

Once you have those two measurements, we can make recommendations accordingly.

Thank you!
I appreciate your input.
I will measure when I get home tonight.

 

[evs]

First thing first... Measure the physical distance on your bass from where the ball end on the E string sits to where it just clears the nut (1). Then measure the distance from where the ball end on the E string sits to the E tuner post (2).

(1) is the minimum "winding length" you need, and (2) is the maximum winding length you want in order to avoid having too much of the main body wrapping around the post. Not all "short scale" strings are created equal; the actual winding length can range anywhere from 32" to 35.5" depending on the manufacturer.

Once you have those two measurements, we can make recommendations accordingly.

Ok I have measured like you recommended.

Measurement 1: 30.3
Measurement 2: 32.1

 

[TN WOODMAN]

Yes. I prefer one or the other.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Ok I have measured like you recommended.

Measurement 1: 30.3
Measurement 2: 32.1

Group 1 - short-scale flatwounds/tapewounds that should fit: D'Addario; possibly Dunlop and Optima.

Group 2 - intermediate lengths. La Bella, Rotosound (32.25"); GHS (32.75"). You could either risk it, or add spacers, such as short pieces of metal tubing at the bridge, so as to place the ball ends at some distance from the bent section of the bridge that usually anchors them, and in so doing use up some string length and have the other end arrive at the tuning post tapered. Basically, a milder version (with shorter spacers) of what @kohanmike has done to a Minion guitar that he's turned into a super-short version of your bass:
NBD, Jackson Dinky Minion neon pink conversion.

Group 3 - shortie flats/tapes that aren't short enough: DR, Pyramid, probably Höfner (33.5" untapered winding); Thomastik-Infeld (35.5"). Also not suitable are some La Bella sets for specific instruments (set designation ending in -BB or -B2 for Beatle Bass, 34" winding length; -MUS set for Mustang Bass, also 34").*

Group 4 - other companies that do have flats/tapes - Fender, Galli, Dogal, Sadowsky, Ernie Ball, S.I.T.,Warwick and so on - but not in short-scale version.




* Same thing as regards sets that La Bella makes for traditional-style, short-scale 6-string basses (uh, shall we call them "deep baritone guitars" for brevity?) i.e. the Fender/Squier Bass VI (set 767-6F, 35.5" winding) and the Schecter Hellcat VI (set HC6-F, 33" winding). I'd assume you wouldn't buy either string set by accident: they're not cheap, and have six strings...

 

[michael_t]

Ok I have measured like you recommended.

Measurement 1: 30.3
Measurement 2: 32.1

Most manufacturers' "short scale" is 32" in winding length, which should work fine on your bass.

Refer to an excellent post by @HaphAsSard above.

And here (Courtesy of Fret Nation): [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[iiipopes]

The OP's Jackson is the same scale length as an Ibanez MiKro. I have a friend that has a MiKro, and over the Christmas break we tried several different sets of strings on it. The best set of strings we found that has the combination of tone and flexibility so the E string doesn't thump is the GHS Balanced Pure Nickels. Yes, it has a 32.75 scale length, so you may need one of your spacers for the E string, but he reports it has been the best solution for intonation, consistency, tone, and feel. It is between flats and conventional round wounds in tone.

I discourage tapewounds on such a short scale for two reasons: 1) the nylon tape is between 15 and 20 thou thick, depending on the make and model of strings, and the tape does not add appreciable mass, so the core strings are essentially light to extra light gauge, which will flop around on such a short scale; 2) the nut and the rest of the setup has to be altered, which on a short scale is more significant than recutting the nut on a "standard long" scale bass.

If the OP desires flats, the best ones we came up with were the La Bella F60L S short scale 43-104, but even then, they got a little thumpy on such a short scale, although they work fine on a 30-31 inch scale.

 

[evs]

Thanks heaps for the assistance!

Based on the responses above, it seems that D'addario would be the safest bet, size wise.
It also seems as though flats may be easier to work with from a set up perspective, as opposed to tapes.

That being the case, I am leaning toward Chromes.
Which is what I use on my mustang.

I will wait another day or so, before ordering, in case anyone else chimes in with another response / advice.

 

[diegom]

The problem with the Minion, is that there isn't a lot of extra space behind the bridge. No extenders possible...

 

[mellowgerman]

For what it's worth, D'Addario Chrome short scale set should be fine. Nowadays I always look out for lengths and scale, but I've put the long scale ones on a Guild Starfire (usually takes medium scale strings) several times over the years and no damage occurred when the thick part wrapped around the post. Some brand formulas are more resilient than others. Labellas I've had break on me when the thick winding started going around the peg.

 

[HaphAsSard]

No extenders possible...

I did check pictures (of the bass, as opposed to the guitar) before posting. What I had in mind would be 5/8" long or something, tops. And only if the OP felt like trying GHS Precision Flats. Anything longer, even by a quarter inch, I put in the "too long" column.

 

[David Demby]

Tapes are awesome and will certainly feel great and add mad vibe. However, some chromes or similar will give you the best of both worlds.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Group 4 - other companies that do have flats/tapes - Fender, Galli, Dogal, Sadowsky, Ernie Ball, S.I.T.,Warwick and so on - but not in short-scale version.

I stand corrected - Dogal does make shortie flats...overly short in fact:
Dogal Short Scale Flats - Caution!

Galli too has taken to making most of what they make for bass available in more than just standard scale: that includes flats, and even 5- and 6-string sets!

 

[evs]

I really appreciate everyone's advice.
I am going to order up the Chrome's and will report back with how it goes.

 

[evs]

Just putting this information up incase anyone else needs it in the future....

The Chromes worked perfectly on the Jackson Minion.
The setup and action and intonation are all great.
The E string has enough silk on it.

This was the Short Scale Chromes set.

Pictures attached.

Thank you all for your assistance!
I'm really happy with the outcome.

 

[DavesnothereCA]

I have a Jackson Minion bass.

I would, ideally, like to put flats or tapes on it.

I've been told that if I use flats (even ones suited to a 30" scale), that I run the risk of the string breaking if the fat part of the string wraps around the tuner post on my 28.5" scale.

Does the same occur with tapewounds, or are they generally a safer bet?

Has anyone with the smaller basses (minions, micro's etc) got any experience with these?

~
Not saying that it would eliminate the chance of breakage altogether, but to state the obvious, if your tuners have larger diameter posts, the risk would be somewhat less.

Still it would be better to do the measuring and research.
~

 

[evs]

This has been resolved as per post #16.
I hope other users of basses this size find this information helpful.

 

[DavesnothereCA]

This has been resolved as per post #16.

I hope other users of basses this size find this information helpful.

~
Yes, for your Minion, but I have been bouncing back and fifth between this thread and the one about the Squier Mini P basses, where those strings [and maybe ALL current short scale strings] would be too long, wound portion going around some of the tuner posts, and was thinking more about those instruments when I wrote my last post.

Mayhaps that post would fit better over there.

BTW, I noticed in the pic that your Minion has a Maple fretboard.

Very pleasant !

I'd like it if more basses did.
~

 

[Root 5]

Pyramid make an extra short set of roundwound strings, 720mm ( 28.35” ). But not flats. However I bet they’d make a custom set for you. And awesome strings.