Short Scale Roundwounds

[ajkula66]

Another vote for Stringjoy. Top shelf all the way, IMO.

SIT nickel rounds would be my second choice. Excellent strings.

 

[LowendG]

I changed to flats but everytime I think of DR SS, I want them again! Now I've seen your post saying the nickels break in quick and have nice strong mids...I gotta get some DR Nickels to try!! LOL.

I have a P with old flats and a P with the nickel Lo Riders. If I need to make sure I can cover a lot of ground with one bass I always grab the P with the Lo-Riders--I can get thumpy with them for rootsy stuff, but then dime the tone and clank away for pickstyle rock or whatever. Super versatile.

 

[thisheregiraffe]

These are very nice short scale rounds:

 

[michael_t]

These are very nice short scale rounds:

View attachment 7019541

Another vote for the SIT Power Wound Nickels!

 

[Jeff Hughes]

I liked Gibson shorts the best after trying GHS and D’addario. But part of the fun is trying out different sets.

 

[PennyroyalWe]

I like the GHS pressurewounds on my Bronco.

 

[HowieD72]

I have a P with old flats and a P with the nickel Lo Riders. If I need to make sure I can cover a lot of ground with one bass I always grab the P with the Lo-Riders--I can get thumpy with them for rootsy stuff, but then dime the tone and clank away for pickstyle rock or whatever. Super versatile.

Sweet! Now I know what's going on my Precision parts bass I'm currently making. DR Nickel Lo-Riders! Should sound great with the Kent Armstrong Hot Vintage P. Thanks @LowendG
Sorry to derail your post OP.

 

[Moondog]

I liked Gibson shorts the best after trying GHS and D’addario.

Thanks, I was not aware of these.

 

[Moondog]

These are very nice short scale rounds:

View attachment 7019541

Cool thanks, I have been curious about SIT's.

 

[klattman]

Shorty scale with a string through the body bridge usually requires mediums. However long scale rounds I’ve tried seem to work fine on a mustang.
GHS pressure wounds are my go to rounds because they are definitely more smooth feeling than most other rounds, and I like the sound of the alloy they use.

 

[DownLowJoe13]

Looking for reviews/recommendations for rounds with a strong attack and lots of punch, with a tight round bottom and bright (not harsh) top end.

I like smooth feeling strings and would like to avoid excessive noise (screeching) when changing position.

I am looking for clarity and cutting through the mix. I do not like a dull, thumpy sounding string and I rarely use the tone knob on passive basses. I am not interested in flats or halfwounds/groundwounds.

I typically prefer nickel strings, but I'm open to stainless as well if they meet the qualifications noted above. I play fingerstyle exclusively and like a blues rock type tone.

Thanks!

Slinky Cobalt seem to be bright and smooth… even the flats sound like rounds, which is weird, but anything “cobalt” seems to be quite bright.

 

[klaatu]

GHS Pressurewound or GHS Balanced Nickels. I've been using Pressurewound and have a set of Balanced Nickels to try later and I'll add that some here like the Balanced Nickels for short scales.

 

[MCF]

I use Hi Beams on my JMJ Mustang. They give me a great rock tone. The band really likes it.

I just got a set for my short scale Gibson Thunderbird. I’m hoping to install them today.

 

[Iristone]

If your bass has got large, 1/2" tuning pegs, I recommend long-scale Rotosound 66 or Roto Bass. They probably won't fit around a small 3/8" tuning peg, though. I wouldn't recommend short-scale Rotos that fit, either, as these are severely under-tensioned and floppy.

 

[HelpImaRock]

Back when I used rounds, I liked LaBella RX.

 

[Moondog]

If your bass has got large, 1/2" tuning pegs, I recommend long-scale Rotosound 66 or Roto Bass. They probably won't fit around a small 3/8" tuning peg, though. I wouldn't recommend short-scale Rotos that fit, either, as these are severely under-tensioned and floppy.

So those have silks, right? Wouldn't I have to cut the silks off? If so, it seems like there may a risk of the strings unraveling.

 

[michael_t]

So those have silks, right? Wouldn't I have to cut the silks off? If so, it seems like there may a risk of the strings unraveling.

Rotosound Roto Bass do not have silk. They're the basic nickel-plated steel roundwound.

Roto Bass • Rotosound Music Strings

ROTO BASS NICKEL ROUNDWOUND STRINGS WITHOUT SILK ENDS

www.rotosound.com

 

[Iristone]

So those have silks, right? Wouldn't I have to cut the silks off? If so, it seems like there may a risk of the strings unraveling.

You don't, just install the thin part into the tuner and crimp it as normal. You may need to wind the thick part around the peg for a few turns, and that's why it only works with vintage-style, large-peg tuners.

 

[Salem6127]

Short scale Dunlop Nickels are another option:

STANDARD SERIES NICKEL WOUND SHORT SCALE BASS STRINGS 45-105

From picks to pedals and every accessory in between, Dunlop Manufacturing has been creating world-class gear for musicians for over 50 years. We consistently create the best selling picks and analog electronics, and carry a large line of accessories that set industry standards in their...

www.jimdunlop.com

They only make the black box's in short scale apparently, not the more popular SBs. I'm guessing because the latter would be too floppy. Can't for the life of me find the winding length anywhere though...

 

[Luckydog]

I have a P with old flats and a P with the nickel Lo Riders. If I need to make sure I can cover a lot of ground with one bass I always grab the P with the Lo-Riders--I can get thumpy with them for rootsy stuff, but then dime the tone and clank away for pickstyle rock or whatever. Super versatile.

I believe the OP was asking about short scale options. Unfortunately, DR offers no short or medium scale versions of their SS or nickel Lo Rider sets. I really wish they would, since I really like how the cut-down set of long scale SS Lo Riders works on my JMJ Mustang. They do offer short scale versions of Hi Beams, but I would prefer Lo Riders.