Pay attention to the “wind” length which GHS are good at labeling.
WHAT IS BASS STRING WINDING LENGTH, AND WHY SHOULD I CARE?
The winding length is the distance from the ball end of the string to either the beginning of the silked end, or to where the string starts to taper at the tuning end.
Winding length is actually VERY important! Nowadays, it is common to see basses with different scale lengths, and new and creative bridges, thru-body stringing, or fanned frets, etc.. Knowing the winding length of your instrument is imperative to ensure you get the proper string for your bass, and is more important than scale length. For example: the Hofner Violin Bass is a 30" scale bass, but with the bridge, it actually requires a set of strings with at least a 34" winding length, which depending on the string brand, is considered medium scale.
To find the winding length for your instrument, measure from the ball end of the bridge to just past the nut (ideally, between the nut and the closest tuning peg to the nut). Any string with a winding length that falls within that measurement will work well. Too short and you risk having the silked/tapered end over the nut and into the first fret; too long and the "meat" of the string will wrap around the tuner, which can compromise the string. For your information, here are the winding lengths of all GHS strings.
- Short Scale = 32" Winding Length
- Medium Scale = 34.5" Winding Length
- Standard Long Scale = 36.5" Winding Length
- Universal Long Scale = 37.25" Winding Length
- Long Scale Plus / Extra Long Scale = 38" Winding Length