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Medium scale single strings

KingRazor

KingRazor

Supporting Member
Jun 4, 2010
6,747
415
37
Beaverton, Oregon USA
#1
I recently got a medium scale bass and have found that long scale strings are fine for the top two, but I'm needing medium scale for at least the bottom string. Right now I have a 120 gauge D'Addario long scale string tuned to D. I'd prefer not to go any thicker. Problem is, D'Addario makes a 130 and 105 gauge medium scale string and nothing in-between. So I'm having to look at other brands.

I have measured from the ball end to the nut and it is pretty much right on 34". So a short scale string will be too short, but with a long scale the tapered part is so far up that the full 120 gauge string is wrapped around the post. So the break angle is basically none.

MTD and Dunlop both have a 5 string medium scale set with a 120 gauge string, but don't appear to be offered in singles, so I'd have to buy a whole set just to get the 120 gauge string. It seems like I'm stuck either buying a whole set or dealing with a heavier gauge than I'd like. Does anyone know where I can get a 120 gauge medium scale string sold as a single?
 
#2
First, thanks for following the mantra to find out exactly what you need. If you like D'A, they do make XL single strings in some larger gauges. I looked just now, and no, I did not see a 120. If you don't see what you want, or they show they are out, contact customer service like I did to get them to offer a mid-scale 105 for the E string on my 32-inch scale basses tuned to standard pitch

Second option: is the bridge right at the heel of the body, or is there enough space you might be able to put a short length of steel tubing at the anchor to take up an inch or a little more slack so the long scale string may fit, or at least have minimal binding around the tuner post? See attached Pix of the "before" with the extender before I simply mounted a plate bridge to get the two inches necessary to use any reasonable long-scale strings, the "after" picture. First, before,
Tele Bass Pic Before.jpg

And after.
Tele Bass Pic After.jpg

There are those who also remove enough of the string winding, which is especially easy to do on D'A XL since these strings do not have silk, put a little shrink wrap around it to prevent further unravelling. I think there is a thread out there where I forumite demonstrates this. Tedious, yes, but another solution that is not necessarily invasive to the body. And, of course, the last is drill a string-through to take up another inch, but measure to see if that is enough, knowing that regular long scale D'A XL anchor-to-leader taper is @ 37 1/4 inches, which may still be too long, then you can't go back.

And finally, on one of my 32 inch scale basses that I downtune, I bought a reverse headstock neck and swapped it out to use regular long scale GHS Boomers 50-65-85-110 or 115, which obviates everything Picture:
S&S Bass.jpg
 
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#7
You could check out Newtone strings on the UK. Not sure about bass guitar gauges but they sell singles and custom sets and you can get them in the specific lengths you need. As of a year ago the strings are not expensive but shipping may be more due to current world chaos. And I see there’s a 2-3 week production delay due to high demand.

I mainly use them on an oddball Eastwood tenor baritone 4-string guitar tuned like a cello.
 
#8
bassplace said:
You could check out Newtone strings on the UK. Not sure about bass guitar gauges but they sell singles and custom sets and you can get them in the specific lengths you need. As of a year ago the strings are not expensive but shipping may be more due to current world chaos. And I see there’s a 2-3 week production delay due to high demand.

I mainly use them on an oddball Eastwood tenor baritone 4-string guitar tuned like a cello.
Click to expand...
Was actually just looking at them today. Hadn't heard of them before. Looks like I can get basically any gauge I want from them, even weird ones like a 118 or 87 gauge. Will definitely give them a try. For now I just ordered a 5 string set of Dunlops for the 120 gauge string from Fret Nation.

I also have two strings coming from D'Addario that I tried to cancel, but they already shipped. They aren't going to fit. :/
 
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#11
iiipopes said:
The set does what you want it to do at the price of a set, not the extra cost of buying singles. Hopefully you can find a solution to your E string issue as I did.
Click to expand...
I honestly wasn't aware that that particular set existed. Looks like about a $4 difference over single strings. I have a Dunlop set on the way and will be checking out Newtone strings.
 
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