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Long scale strings on mustangs and violin basses??
- Thread starter chilliwilli
- Start date
Thanks any idea if Labella plans to offer these guys in an even lighter gauge like they do with their Beatle bass flats?
Not directed to the OP specifically 
:
The tailpiece of some violin basses (e.g. Invalid Link Removed) is shorter than those mounted on Hofners, making the required string length longer: I remember a post by a user who'd bought a Pyramid set that didn't fit (strings started tapering before reaching the nut) on his particular Beatle bass copy.
I guess one could replace the tailpiece with a really short one and use regular, long scale strings (not medium).
Also, one could get creative and create a new attachment point for the lowest(s) string(s) further back in the tailpiece itself: for example drilling a hole/holes in the small plate connected to the hinge (provided said plate is lifted from the body, leaving a little clearance), thread the string(s) into it top-to-bottom and then into the regular tailpiece hole(s). This way (super-)long scale strings might fit just right (obvious caveat: measure twice, drill once).
Alternatively, one could try soldering little metal eyelets to the tailpiece at an appropriate point, in order to create enough extra afterlength for long scale strings to be used. With roundwound strings it's really a problem for the E and maybe A strings only.
(By all means disregard if part or all of the above sounds too janky-arse.)
:The tailpiece of some violin basses (e.g. Invalid Link Removed) is shorter than those mounted on Hofners, making the required string length longer: I remember a post by a user who'd bought a Pyramid set that didn't fit (strings started tapering before reaching the nut) on his particular Beatle bass copy.
I guess one could replace the tailpiece with a really short one and use regular, long scale strings (not medium).
Also, one could get creative and create a new attachment point for the lowest(s) string(s) further back in the tailpiece itself: for example drilling a hole/holes in the small plate connected to the hinge (provided said plate is lifted from the body, leaving a little clearance), thread the string(s) into it top-to-bottom and then into the regular tailpiece hole(s). This way (super-)long scale strings might fit just right (obvious caveat: measure twice, drill once).
Alternatively, one could try soldering little metal eyelets to the tailpiece at an appropriate point, in order to create enough extra afterlength for long scale strings to be used. With roundwound strings it's really a problem for the E and maybe A strings only.
(By all means disregard if part or all of the above sounds too janky-arse.)
To answer the OP's original question; IME, the answer is "Maybe". A number if violin basses are picky about the ball ends and how the strings fit through the holes in the tailpiece, so some strings might work; others might not. That wouldn't be a problem with the Mustang bass. As for the tuners? Some violin basses might have tuners that will work with the thick strings that result from using long scale strings; some will not. The tuners on a Mustang will work, I think.
As a general rule, using strings that are too long is not a good idea. I've been doing it for years on a Gretsch Broadkaster for various reasons, and it is a PITA. I have to be very careful about how I cut them (See the "Do you cut your strings...?" thread here), and getting the E and A string to sit right on the tuner pegs is a real trick. The next string change, the 'Kaster will get the strings I've finally decided work best, and they will be the correct (medium scale) length. Strings come in different lengths for many good reasons; using the ones that fit your bass is Always a good idea.
As a general rule, using strings that are too long is not a good idea. I've been doing it for years on a Gretsch Broadkaster for various reasons, and it is a PITA. I have to be very careful about how I cut them (See the "Do you cut your strings...?" thread here), and getting the E and A string to sit right on the tuner pegs is a real trick. The next string change, the 'Kaster will get the strings I've finally decided work best, and they will be the correct (medium scale) length. Strings come in different lengths for many good reasons; using the ones that fit your bass is Always a good idea.
