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Question for Medium scale guys

Musiclogic

Musiclogic

Commercial User
Aug 6, 2005
6,505
75
60
Southwest Michigan
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Disclosures
Owner/Builder: HJC Customs USA, The Cool Lute, C G O
#1
Hey,

I need some string opinions.
I have a customer wanting a 32" scale 7 string. Just wonderng what strings are well received by Medium scale players?

I use Roto's and SIT's generally for Medium scale, but I do not remember making a 5 or more in 32", so I am hoping those that play this scale regularly.

Thanks in Advance
 
#5
Also the bridge design, i.e. what distance from the bridge saddles to the bit that holds the ball end. It can be a difference of up to an inch, which has been a "make or break" inch for me with some strings.

I have learned to NEVER trust the words "medium scale" on any package of strings from any brand, because they all vary quite widely.
 
#6
Firstly, yes, B will be the lowest string.

Second, I appreciate the responses, I was just curious what medium scale players we're using with the most success.

If I was using a hipshot A the saddle to stop distance would be about 1 1/4" to 1 1/2".

This bass will have an anchoring system at the end of the body and an adjustable saddle system (similar to ETS), but will be a wood plate with brass saddles. Distance from saddle to tuners will be 34", 35.5", 37" and 38.5" in a 4+3 setup.

I have been using Circle K, Roto sound, or SIT(Conklin) sets for ERB's and had no problem, was just curious if there was a holy grail for 32.

Standard long scale, 37.25" , strings work fine for 32" scale, so I rarely buy a "medium" scale set.
 
#9
Musiclogic said:
Standard long scale, 37.25" , strings work fine for 32" scale, so I rarely buy a "medium" scale set.
Click to expand...

I am confused. I thought you wanted advice on what would work best for your instrument but the above statement sounds like you are happy with 2 windings of full wrapping going around the B string tuning post?

With your instruments specs you shouldn't use a string with a longer winding length than 34" which is an actual "Medium Scale" string. Some medium scales alow for longer strings which is what I was hoping for for you.

E-C strings no problem tons of options for you. However a B string where the full winding does not wrap around the post is a problem. There are not many companies at all that make short or medium scale B strings.
 
#10
Don't be confused, for anyone building instruments, this is a common problem. We have to use what is available, and while it may not be optimal, regular strings lengths do work ok.

That is why I was asking. I do not venture into the forums here much, and have little time for research, I am in the shop about 16 hours a day, so I am a bit ignorant about any new strings out. Also, getting an order for a 32" 7 string was kind of an odd request to start with....LOL

Like I said, there is plenty of time, the build has just started, and is about 15th in line so far this year, so I have until June to glean more info about string sets for Medium scale
 
#11
If you are using small diameter tuning posts then most likely any long scale B string will break going around it. Yeah they "work" but not all the time and you will be limited to light gauge B strings (.120).


If this is a bass that is being built for you I suggest this... Have the tuning posts on the bass side in reverse. Kind of like the fodera extended B string where the tuning post for the B string is in the A string position at the end of the headstock. If you do this you can use your favorite long scale strings without any full winding going around the tuning post.

People have their B strings break with less than one wrap of full winding on the tuning post... If you could avoid it I would not even suggest any full winding around the post.

The only string you will have a potential problem with is the B and possibly E string if they are too long. The other strings the scale length does not matter as long as they are long enough to clear the nut.
 
#12
Can we clarify your question?

Are you looking for strings with ideal fitment to your instrument in general or are you looking for the extended range of strings for medium scale which would be the high C and high F?

If it is the high strings just buy regular long scale strings. There are no issues using longer higher strings as they are usually one winding for the entire length of string.

The B and E strings however can be too long and break if the full winding wraps around the tuning post... Of course this depends on the string itself gauge thickness and construction and diameter of the tuning post.

You can essentially use any string you use on a long scale, it is just ideal to have the B and E strings with a 34" winding on your specific instrument.
 
#13
This is why I am concerned about the full winding going around the tuning post.

(Customer photo)

This string was only 0.5" (half an inch) too long. You are talking about using strings 3.25" too long...

attachment.jpg
 

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#14
Yes, exactly. I understood what you were alluding to initially.

You are the guy that was referenced above who is the string guru here, and I really appreciate that.

The question I was asking was just about medium scale strings that were giving players the feel and sound out of a 32" mainly 5 or 6.

Soooooo....any hot tips for what to string a 32" scale 7 with that retains good feel and sound that I may not know about...LOL:D
 
#15
The main thing you need to do is get a string that is the correct length for the instrument. The same .105 string can be used on any scale length instrument as long as it fits properly... the actual vibrating length of the string is going to determine the overall tension...

So really it comes down to the string that fits and is of the construction that will give you the tone and feel you are after, it can be a round wound, flat wound, or hybrid type string... Any of those can make a 7 string set B-Bb no problem!
 
#16
This thread got a bit complex for me however, I'll share that I just purchased a Muckelory medium scale 5 string with Curt Mangan strings. They are .130, regular length with a hex core. I have a string-through body though which may eliminate some of the above mentioned wrapping concerns. Based on my reading, DR Lo-Riders fare pretty well. I have a Wick in the mail, which I believe uses their "Red Strings." IMHO, I'm not sure if there is a "gold standard" however, any hex/.130 will probably provide similar results. I defer to Slapinfunk's expertise however.
 
#17
ebonalley said:
This thread got a bit complex for me however, I'll share that I just purchased a Muckelory medium scale 5 string with Curt Mangan strings. They are .130, regular length with a hex core. I have a string-through body though which may eliminate some of the above mentioned wrapping concerns. Based on my reading, DR Lo-Riders fare pretty well. I have a Wick in the mail, which I believe uses their "Red Strings." IMHO, I'm not sure if there is a "gold standard" however, any hex/.130 will probably provide similar results. I defer to Slapinfunk's expertise however.
Click to expand...

I misspoke on this. The wick strings actually have a .135 tapered B. I just got the wick in the mail. I must say that the larger B is nice,

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/acce...GAN1&clickid=0004d6fa265320490aec975315001ff6
 
#20
ebonalley said:
Is is safe to assume that at .135 D'Addario nickel B would be tighter than and DR Lowrider nickel based on larger gauge and similar hex core?
Click to expand...

They both have a "Hex" core and a ball end. That is just about the only two things in common between these two strings.

I do not know the actual core dimension spec on these but most likely the cores are different size. The DR thing is to wrap multiple thin wrap windings around the core. A .105 "E-String" has 6 windings around the core so it is safe to say the "B-String" probably does as well. The "B-String" from D'Addario only has 3 windings of larger diameter wraps around it.

This alone makes up a very different string construction and feel. The DR B-Strings are generally higher tension / more rigid than the D'Addario formula.

This also does not take into consideration the tension that each wrap wire is wound at.

You can have 2 strings using the same exact core gauge and wrap wire, but are wound at slightly different tensions and speeds and you will get a different sounding and feeling string.
 

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