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Regular scale strings on a 32" scale
- Thread starter MandoMark
- Start date
People do this all the time with round wound strings. It's not the best practice, but ususaly does not result in damage to the E string (the one most stressed by wrapping the post). It's not a good idea for flats, or any B string.
Yes, usually no problem at all. Having done this loads of times with flats myself, I can report that it is fine for probably all except the very stiffest ones (like LaBella, GHS), esp. if tuning posts are normal Fender sized. Works fine with e.g., Chromes, Fenders, TI, EB Cobalt, Dunlop, and probably all roundwounds, groundwounds, etc. Superficial aesthetics aside, there is no downside as long as you show a bit of care with the E string.
I beg to differ. Anytime you wrap the speaking/winding length of a string around a tuner post you risk it breaking. Fortunately, some companies now make medium scale sets that are actually usable. To anybody who claims that an E string has never broken, I say, "yet." It will, and at the worst time. I say this from having over the last years converted from 34-inch scale to 32-inch scale on most of my basses, and having strings break.
D'Addario has Medium scale XL strings that I purchase for a couple of my basses. I have the XL's on the Blue body bass pic attached. La Bella has medium scale flats and black tapes, which I have on two other basses, not pictured.
The primary solution in order to retain the widest possible selection of usable strings is to get a bass with a reverse headstock. That way the E string has the most distance to wind the leader without binding the speaking/winding length of the string. The G string on most contemporary sets is not tapered, so it doesn't matter how it is wound around the tuner post. I have done that on the charcoal color bass pic attached.
Another solution, which will only work on a few basses, is to install another string anchor two inches beyond the bridge. This takes up the extra length so a regular typical long scale E string can be mounted without binding. I have done this on the Squier Tele bass pic attached.
Also, if a string is still a little too long, you can use a length of stainless steel tubing to take up the excess. Until I could get my preferred strings in medium scale, I have done this, as you can see on the A string of the blue body bass pic.
When all is said and done, the 32-inch scale bass is unfortunately still the "red-headed step-child" of the bass world until more companies are enlightened and can find the cost/benefit formula to offer more medium scale strings to the market. In the meantime, here are my solutions pix.
D'Addario has Medium scale XL strings that I purchase for a couple of my basses. I have the XL's on the Blue body bass pic attached. La Bella has medium scale flats and black tapes, which I have on two other basses, not pictured.
The primary solution in order to retain the widest possible selection of usable strings is to get a bass with a reverse headstock. That way the E string has the most distance to wind the leader without binding the speaking/winding length of the string. The G string on most contemporary sets is not tapered, so it doesn't matter how it is wound around the tuner post. I have done that on the charcoal color bass pic attached.
Another solution, which will only work on a few basses, is to install another string anchor two inches beyond the bridge. This takes up the extra length so a regular typical long scale E string can be mounted without binding. I have done this on the Squier Tele bass pic attached.
Also, if a string is still a little too long, you can use a length of stainless steel tubing to take up the excess. Until I could get my preferred strings in medium scale, I have done this, as you can see on the A string of the blue body bass pic.
When all is said and done, the 32-inch scale bass is unfortunately still the "red-headed step-child" of the bass world until more companies are enlightened and can find the cost/benefit formula to offer more medium scale strings to the market. In the meantime, here are my solutions pix.
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Kalium makes strings where the windings do not taper at the tuner end - up to 104 or so. I run full scale strings on a short scale 4 string, so far with no issues.
Only the E string is the issue - either a reversed Fendervstyle headstock (moving the D string tuner out a few inches, you should be able to run long scale strings on a short or medium scale. You may need to carefully locate the hold down clamp so it doesn’t grab the “step” in the E or A strings, but other than that, it seems a logical approach to the problem.
Only the E string is the issue - either a reversed Fendervstyle headstock (moving the D string tuner out a few inches, you should be able to run long scale strings on a short or medium scale. You may need to carefully locate the hold down clamp so it doesn’t grab the “step” in the E or A strings, but other than that, it seems a logical approach to the problem.
