Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Floppy E String on A Short Scale?
- Thread starter Gare Boo
- Start date
That’s a common issue with short scale basses. Might try higher tension strings, at least for the E.
Flatwounds are usually stiffer than rounds. That's what I use on my P/J Mustangs.
Are there any flatwounds that have good attack and brightness like the roundwounds? Thank you.
I would defer that question to the more knowledgeable among the forum, but of the flats I've tried D'Addario Chromes seem to be the brightest on my P/J 'Stang.
I've had excellent results with GHS Precision Flats, which come in short scale length. They produce a fat, classic sound on a shorty, IMO. I use them on my Badtz Maru Bronco, and on my shorty P.
Uhh... Part of the roundwound sound is the winding wire rubbing against itself, and the string core. Which is also why round core sounds different than hex core.
Flatwounds (and tapewounds) in general have much less attack and brightness than roundwounds, because of physics.
The way to get around this, and I think what you're looking for, is "Half Rounds," which are essentially roundwounds with the outer surface ground flat. But this may not address the "floppy E."
I wanted to try those for the Mustang PJ, but they don't do short scale ones. I emailed Ernie Ball and they have no plans to add them to their line up, even though they have a short scale Stingray now.
Use a thicker string. That is the only thing that increases tension.
DR LoRiders have a much tighter feel than "regular" rounds of the same size.
On the other hand, I have the original Fender strings on my Mustang P/J, and I do not find the E especially floppy. Also use D'Addario XL (40-100) rounds on my 30" Danelectro, and find that a little more loose feeling to play. Still has a clear and beefy sounding E.
On the other hand, I have the original Fender strings on my Mustang P/J, and I do not find the E especially floppy. Also use D'Addario XL (40-100) rounds on my 30" Danelectro, and find that a little more loose feeling to play. Still has a clear and beefy sounding E.
Turnaround
Commercial User
Stringing through the body does not increase the string tension. That’s a misunderstanding - it increases the down force on the bridge because of the more acute break angle, but it does not change the string tension at all.
I kind
Then what's the point to string through body? More sustain?
Turnaround
Commercial User
Good question. Theoretically the increased break angle causes better coupling of the bridge to the body. Some say that increases sustain, some say it improves tone. Some claim that it increases tension, but that's scientifically impossible. If the tension did increase the pitch would rise. Some say it improves "perceived tension" which is another way to describe compliance of the string, meaning the degree to which the string flexes side to side. Testing I have done has shown that the longer string length actually increases side to side flex so it actually does the opposite of the claimed "increase in tension". Mind you, the tests showed that the difference was very small.
try going up to the next thicker gauge of strings. That will improve tension.
I have string through provisions on most of my basses. What it’s really useful for is when you get strings that have a long wound section - going string through on the low E or B moves the winding transition down, so you don’t wind the fat part of the string around the tuner post. On a 4 on a side headstock, with strings being wound to accomodate 35 inch scales, this is a growing problem. String through on your lowest string avoids the issue.
Very interesting and helpful. Now I wonder what's the best for me if I can't stand the low string tension but still like the less finger stretch that short scale brings. Should I try multi scale? But multi scale is usually 34" - 35", which doesn't make the frets smaller like a short scale at all.
First of all, I am an engineer and very analytical and picky about my tone. In my experience, there was no audible improvement of the E string when going string through on my Jazz. The thinner strings sounded SLIGHTLY better, though.
I think the "witness point" argument/contribution will be offset by a bigger cross section string. In engineering, distribution of load is paramount in stable, durable design. The tight radius over the bridge will create internal tension and losses in the string, and there is an internal element that will strive for the string to move out, away from the pickups and body. The thick string would tend to remain LESS in the ideal witness point.
So your observation about increased motion might be reflecting that!
Or to turn the question around, why don't we have string throug heads? How can the small break angle across the nut in most basses be ok, even with a head lower than the fretboard? 
Some strings are stiffer than others of the same gauge / diameter. That will help a little if you don’t want to go with larger gauge. Look for strings with a hex core and perhaps some on here that have had enough money to do string experimenting might know the stiffest.
I can tell you that Dunlop super brights are very flexible which is the opposite of what you need.
I can tell you that Dunlop super brights are very flexible which is the opposite of what you need.
