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Poor string choice?

Discussion in 'Strings [BG]' started by mattbass6945, Mar 18, 2018.

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  1. Mar 18, 2018 #1
    mattbass6945

    mattbass6945

    Jul 26, 2011
    fort worth, texas
    I recently acquired a Epiphone Viola bass. I tried restringing it with the La Bella 760fhbb Beatle bass set. I read in multiple places on the internet that this would suffice. It did not. The A string "playing surface" ended just shy of the nut.

    Did I purchase the wrong set? Can the internet not be trusted?! A manufacturer defect? Operator error?

    Feeling dumb. Never had a string issue like this in 20 years of playing. Please advise.
     
  2. Mar 18, 2018 #2
    fermata

    fermata Guest

    Nov 10, 2015
    Gizmot likes this.
  3. Mar 18, 2018 #3
    mattbass6945

    mattbass6945

    Jul 26, 2011
    fort worth, texas
    That link is helpful, but I am curious as to what length the La Bella strings are supposed to be compared to what I ended up with. Seems unlikely that the fault would be on their end, though stranger things have happened.
     
  4. Mar 18, 2018 #4
    SLaPiNFuNK

    SLaPiNFuNK Inactive Commercial User

    Jul 28, 2006
    LA California
    The Brains: FretNation.com
    Epiphone viola does not have the same guitar sized tuners as a Hofner, they are s5andsta bass size. Any medium scale set is ideal over the Hofner Beatle Bass set.
     
    Two-Spirit, Aqualung60, pudgychef and 1 other person like this.
  5. Mar 18, 2018 #5
    mattbass6945

    mattbass6945

    Jul 26, 2011
    fort worth, texas
    Is there a set you recommend? I typically play D'Addario nickel or La Bella flats. I'd prefer flats of some sort on the viola.
     
  6. Mar 18, 2018 #6
    SLaPiNFuNK

    SLaPiNFuNK Inactive Commercial User

    Jul 28, 2006
    LA California
    The Brains: FretNation.com
    La Bella flats in medium scale or any other flatwound in medium scale include D'Addario Chromes.

    Can also use any rounds in medium scale.
     
  7. Mar 18, 2018 #7
    mattbass6945

    mattbass6945

    Jul 26, 2011
    fort worth, texas
    I love La Bellas on my thunderbird, but on bassstringsonline, the Beatle bass strings are listed under "medium scale". This makes me nervous since I already screwed up. Sorry, not trying to be a pain. I'd love to hear anyone's opinions on their preference.
     
  8. Mar 18, 2018 #8
    mattbass6945

    mattbass6945

    Jul 26, 2011
    fort worth, texas
    Daddario ECB81M legit? Would that fit with minimal fuss?
     
  9. Mar 18, 2018 #9
    michael_t

    michael_t

    Feb 11, 2013
    49.8951 N, 97.1384 W
    D'Addario "medium scale" has a winding length (ball to silk) of 34".
    You can measure the physical distance on your bass between where the ball end sits and the nut to make sure 34" is long enough to clear the nut.
     
    spvmhc and mattbass6945 like this.
  10. Mar 18, 2018 #10
    mattbass6945

    mattbass6945

    Jul 26, 2011
    fort worth, texas
    I believe that's the case. I think the bass is 33 3/4" ball end to bass nut. So, i think that should do it. I'm over thinking this and worrying too much. I appreciate everyone's input.
     
  11. Mar 18, 2018 #11
    michael_t

    michael_t

    Feb 11, 2013
    49.8951 N, 97.1384 W
    Fyi...
    The term "medium scale" can mean different winding length depending on the manufacturer.
    For example, the "medium scale" GHS Precision Flats have a winding length of 35.5".

    MEDIUM SCALE PRECISION FLATS™
     
  12. Mar 18, 2018 #12
    fermata

    fermata Guest

    Nov 10, 2015
    La Bella medium scales have a winding length of 34". That should include the Beatle Bass set, so I'm a bit puzzled that it doesn't fit.
     
  13. Mar 19, 2018 #13
    mattbass6945

    mattbass6945

    Jul 26, 2011
    fort worth, texas
    I'm puzzled as well. I'm in touch with La Bella and measuring everything in my house to find out what's up. I'm fairly certain I just ordered the wrong set, but want to make sure.

    On another note, La Bella customer service seems pretty good thus far.......
     
  14. Mar 19, 2018 #14
    el_Bajo_Verde

    el_Bajo_Verde

    May 18, 2016
    Minneapolis, Minnesota
    On your A-string, what comes after the "playing surface"? Is there some silk wrap? Or does it begin to taper? If there is some silk wrap, you could cut it back so the playing surface passes the nut.
     
  15. Mar 19, 2018 #15
    ezstep

    ezstep

    Nov 25, 2004
    north Louisiana
    I was quite surprised several years ago to learn that 34" scale is/was considered "long scale" to several string manufacturers. Lesson learned.
     
    mattbass6945 likes this.
  16. Mar 19, 2018 #16
    mattbass6945

    mattbass6945

    Jul 26, 2011
    fort worth, texas
    The silk and taper start at the same point on these specific strings.
     
  17. Mar 19, 2018 #17
    michael_t

    michael_t

    Feb 11, 2013
    49.8951 N, 97.1384 W
    One of the most valuable lessons I learned in the last few years is to always think in terms of "winding length" (ball to silk/taper) instead of "scale length" when trying to determine which strings fit best on any given bass.

    Bass String Lengths by Manufacturer
     
    ezstep likes this.
  18. Mar 19, 2018 #18
    aproud1

    aproud1 Don't surround yourself with yourself. Supporting Member

    Aug 13, 2007
    Cincy, OH
    This is a solid resource. If you are in doubt about any set just call Jason over at Bassstringsonline.com he knows strings.
     
  19. Mar 19, 2018 #19
    mellowinman

    mellowinman Free Man

    Oct 19, 2011
    Minneapolis
    If there were only someplace to turn for this type of thing, I think I would put it in my sig.
     
  20. Mar 19, 2018 #20
    mattbass6945

    mattbass6945

    Jul 26, 2011
    fort worth, texas
    Ok........maybe I'm just thick headed and missing the punchline here, but I don't see the signature lines on mobile.
     
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