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Short flatwounds woes

deadline_

deadline_

May 17, 2020
146
237
Bergen, Norway
#1
Hi!

I guess there are several threads about this already, but search function was not being super helpful. I used the GHS 3020 on an Acinonyx (30.75"), and they where absolutely super. I like the fact that they are light gauge, but not too flabby if that makes sense. I have a 30" bass coming in now, and was wondering if these strings fit, or if they are a little too long?

Are there other stiff-ish light gauge flats to consider?

Cheers!
 
#3
I have GHS short scale 32.75" windings BPN's on my 30-inch scale travel bass. It has a standard plate bridge. The windings taper to silk between the nut and the E-string tuner post as they should. No issues. If the winding/speaking length of the string does wrap around the E-string tuner post, and you are concerned, post pix of the bass, bridge and headstock and we can suggest remedies.
 
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#4
iiipopes said:
I have GHS short scale 32.75" windings BPN's on my 30-inch scale travel bass. It has a standard plate bridge. The windings taper to silk between the nut and the E-string tuner post as they should. No issues. If the winding/speaking length of the string does wrap around the E-string tuner post, and you are concerned, post pix of the bass, bridge and headstock and we can suggest remedies.
Click to expand...
^This^ I've been playing short scale basses for... well, a long time, now. Long enough to know that all short basses are not the same. And, long enough to have found out the hard way, that all short scale strings are not the same, either. I have a set of short scale TI Jazz Rounds on a 30.5" scale Gretsch Broadkaster. It's a bass that is simply physically too big for any short scale strings but the TI's; is too big for a lot of "medium" scale strings; but will happily wear long scale strings all day... I also have a set of short scale Dogal R45 'Traditional Flats' in my string stash - that are too short for all but one of my short scale basses - a headless, '82 Kramer Duke, with tuners behind it's Schaller roller bridge... On most of the others? The Dogal's don't even make it to the tuner pegs. However...
I use the GHS #3020's on... 3?... short scales (10 of my 27 basses are shorties; it's hard to keep track) and TBH, I can't think of any other strings I use - or have used - that fit your description. La Bella 760FX's might; but, at 39-96 gauge? On my Dano Longhorn, they're a little "twang-y"; but that's the "Dano Sound" I want. On a different bass? Depends on the bass, I'd imagine... All my other shorties wear heavier flats (43-104 or heavier), except for the violin bass that wears Roto TruBass 88 Tapes. The Kramer Duke is currently wearing DR SFL45 flats; mainly because they sound a lot like the 50-107 GHS Boomers that it came to me with. But, although they are 45-105's, they are round core flats; which most flats are not. I don't find them particularly flexible on the Duke, but; they ain't exactly bridge cables, either. They might work for you - or they might not...
So... I'd say stick with the GHS 3020's, if they make you happy. And if they'll fit that new bass. Otherwise? I think you're in for some experimenting. Good luck...:thumbsup:
So... I'd
 
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#5
I’ve had luck with the short scale EB cobalt flats on my site U5 (30” scale) thru bridge only.
However if you string through the body like a mustang, they are just a little too short.
Still my favorite sounding flat. But I admit I’m weird.
 
#6
My fave are Ernie Ball group flats. The cobalts are great if you want a brighter tone.

I like Dunlop Flats (short scale for thru bridge and medium scale for thru body), they’re on sale at FretNation now, too. They’re modern sounding but thump nice with the tone rolled down.
 
#8
I have a short scale bass and I was divined with a special tool that, for lack of more sophisticated term, turns my hand into a string cutting lobster claw.

If, for example, your bass string is 6” too long this “string claw” enables me to snip off the excess length leaving only the desired length.

Like all great power, I need to exercise responsibility. It’s so easy to get excited and cut the string into many pieces but I only cut the one end off.
I tell myself “I can make it shorter but I can’t make it longer “.

In before someone who has no idea what they’re talking about says you can’t wind strings without the narrow end. Of course you can, it’s how short scales have been wound for half a century before online buying made dedicated short strings so accessible.

Measure twice, cut once.
 
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