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Length of your 'B' String

What Length 'B' String would be best for your Bass

  • Total voters
    146
  • Poll closed .
K

KSB - Ken Smith

Inactive
Commercial User
Mar 1, 2002
4,237
52
74
Perkasie, PA USA
www.kensmithbasses.com
Disclosures
Owner: Ken Smith Basses, Ltd.
#1
I am conducting this Poll/Thread to better understand the needs of all Multi-String Bassists regardless or the Brand or Model Bass you use/own. Your contribution will be helpful in the development of Strings to better fit your Bass and make Size availability less of a burden when shopping in the future.

To best know what Length of String you need/use, measure the String from the 'Ball End', including the Ball untll it just passes the Nut up by the Headstock. This is the "Minimum" length needed. Now, measure the Length from the Ball again and up to the 'B' String Tuning Post. This is the maximum length needed.

For Example, a 34" scale Bass will need at least 35.5" to 36.5" to clear the nut. 36.5" to 38" is the average range of length available for these Basses. With Basses being so 'non-standard, it is necessary to classify Bass String needs as "Regular", "Long" or even "Extra-Long" for 'String-thru Body'.

"One Size Fits All" is no longer possible these days. I think we need to "measure-up" all the Basses out there that we could possibly find.. Please get involved in your Stringing future by participating here. Thank You, Ken...
 
#2
I'll wait to vote until I get home and can measure for sure, but I seem to recall needing at least 40" for my B if not more. I play a Dingwall though and having a 37" speaking length makes it a bit away from the norm Id imagine.
 
#3
My bass is a 36" scale 6-String so most normal strings don't fit, so I would say that 39" would fit my bass.

It's a balance act, because if the string is too long you will end up with those thick windings on the tuner key itself and you don't want that either.
 
#5
Just past the nut measures 96 cm or 38" and to the tuning post measures 102 cm or 40". This is for my 6-Sting fretted bass.

My fretless 6-String ( also a 36" scale ) measures 97 cm or 38,2" past the nut and 102 cm or 40" to the tuning post.

Both my basses are custom made Morch basses from Denmark. None of the basses features strings through body.
 
#7
My Stambaugh 6 needs 38" to go through the body; regular(long-scale)length work for top-load. Another thing I've noticed, Ken, is that when I temporarily replaced the original Foderas w/some old KS strings I had lying around, the tapered portion of the B goes about 1" past the saddle. Not a huge deal, but I normally sometimes pluck back there(but I don't like to on the thinner, tapered part). Hope this helps.
 
#8
39 inches on 35" scale Yamaha RBX-775 fretted and fretless five-strings, 38 inches on a 34" Ibanez SR-1206 six-string, and 37 inches on a 34" Fender Jazz Plus V five-string (not the current production Fender Jazz five). Listed them as the poll only allows one vote per user.

Hope this is of help, and good luck with the project!
 
#9
BTW, I have allowed the option for multiple voting so you can choose the 'B' length for each of the Basses you have.

bassteban, like the thread here is about, there are many Bass sizes as well and playing styles. You would need to measure the exact amount of Taper you need. Perhaps a Barrel of some sort could be slid onto the String b4 installing it to pull the Tapered part back to the exact spot you need it to be.. Just a thought...
 
#12
HB2, Are you saying that WITH a 38" wound string, the string spread after the wrapping is still too short with the Silk is, or Should be?

Is the 'D' string the furthest from the Nut like a 4/1 configuration?

If the 38s are too short, you could order the 'D' as a 40" and not have that problem.. I don't know what the other companies offer but we custom pack many sets by request at the same price to accomodate. I am sure there are other string companies that could to the same but that also depends on where you buy your strings.

"Thie is NOT a Commercial", I am just making a suggestion to help.
 
#15
bassman314, the best way to measure I think would be to put a small mark on the string between the Nut and the 'B' Tuning Post. Measure from the Ball to the Mark with the String being straight and off the Bass. This tells us the best winding length needed for your Bass including any bends or angles that might alter an 'on-the-Bass measurement..

Thx for your participation and Vote.
 
#16
37.5" from ball to tuner, so I only use 36.5" B strings. I don't like when the speaking length gets wrapped around the tuner.

I think the best way is to package B strings separately, as it is already the case with Slick Rounds.
 
#17
Yes Ken, I have a 4+1 headstock on my Fender Roscoe Beck 5. I currently have a set of DA Chromes / ECB81-5SL (38") that go thru the body on the RBV, all but the 'D' string fit well. The D sting's silk clears the nut, but the silk comes up short at the D string tuner/post; it's mostly bare wire on the tuner. A 40" string may work. :eyebrow: Thanks for the tip!

Steve
 
#18
KSB - Ken Smith said:
bassman314, the best way to measure I think would be to put a small mark on the string between the Nut and the 'B' Tuning Post. Measure from the Ball to the Mark with the String being straight and off the Bass. This tells us the best winding length needed for your Bass including any bends or angles that might alter an 'on-the-Bass measurement..

Thx for your participation and Vote.
Click to expand...

Yeah.. that's what I did. 35" voiced length. The ball to the saddle is about 2". Nut to Tuner is 'bout an inch.
 

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