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Short-scale String Gauge Help

M

mercenarywrench

Nov 30, 2008
40
0
Santa Cruz, CA
#1
I want to put flats on my sx short scale and don't have enough experience with basses to know which guages to use. I'm getting into 'one drop' reggae stylee. La Bella makes "Deep Talking" flats in (light).043-.104, (med).049-.109, and (extra light).039-.096 Any recommendations would be helpful.
The reason for La Bella is because the bridge end of the strings aren't silk wound (i have little room between the e string saddle/bridge).
thanks, b
 
#2
I understand why you want them after I got some D'Addario Chromes for my short scale SX and the silk wrap at the bridge end just missed the saddle on the E string. Since I have LaBella Jamersons on my regular-scale bass, I'd likely go for the fattest string, but that's just my preference with standard tuning.
 
#4
I don't know if that's necessarily true. There are higher and lower-tension strings, but they're usually referred to by maker and type (though most makers sell only one or two flatwound string types). I'm guessing that the tension may be higher for a fatter string, but have no knowledge without seeing the tension for each string set, and Labella strings don't have the tension listed. You could go straight to the source and ask Labella if you're not in too big a hurry.
 
#7
I have an SX fretless Jazz that when used with a set of short scale specific strings has a little less tension than a string set of the same gauge set in the long scale version. That's okay with me, but I realize others like the heavier tension.
Since you are looking for a set with more tension, and prefer flats for your style, I'd say go for the slightly larger gauges. Rotosound has a tapewound set that would fit the bill, and probably just about any flatwound would give you a little more tension than a round. I would be careful to stick to a short scale set when you buy so you would not have to do any cutting on the string itself.
Link Removed and [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] seem to have the best selections of short scale sets I have seen.
I agree with mkrtu9 that the GHS Precision flats in short scale are a good set. I have a set of D'Addario half rounds in short scale on my SX, and I am pleased with their sound and tension.

FG
 
#8
I just put a set of rotosound 88 shortscale strings on my sx bass, they're low tension and the right size for it, the E string gets really close to the tuning peg but nothing major, amazing sound.
 

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