short scale string questions

[cheechi]

First to start out, this has been my only experience with short scale strings; it was a few years back but i think i remember the details well enough. I've had for years a Rondo Douglas Hofner style and I got a set of Roto 77's for it but had to go with Long (iirc Rotosound 'Long' = 34" scale?) due to the length of the tail/bridge. Before I buy new strings for my other 3 short scales, my actual question is that while I really like the nickel Roto 66, they only make stainless 66 in short scale, and the nickels only in long scale.

I recently got myself a few more short scales (P bass style, also from Rondo) and I think they may become my main basses. I will be installing hipshot tuners and brass bridges, and am considering making each string through. Can someone tell me will this add enough to use standard 34" scale strings on a 30" scale instrument without issue? In case it matters, I like a relatively low action, though it's more important when i set up a 34" scale. If this is something someone could share experience, maybe i don't have to go hunting for short scale strings that fit what I like.

If not, is there a string (GHS Balanced Nickels maybe?) that both feels like and sounds like the nickel 66 in short scale? I am more concerned about the feel but I do like the way they sound once they lose the daggers at the top end.

thanks in advance

 

[iiipopes]

You mentioned GHS Balanced Nickels. YES!!! GHS BN are God's gift to short scale bass players. The pure nickel wrap is more dense than NPS, so there is more tension for the given diameter to keep the set stable with good tone and intonation, as the name suggests, string-to-string and up the neck. Being round wound on a round core, they are flexible and they don't thump. They don't twang. They have a big, round, tone that after you get over new string zing over time settles in with some of the woody quality of golden era Fender flats. They last a long time - my travel bass had one set that lasted through two week-long tours to Mexico with my band. They are inexpensive by comparison to some other sets. The winding/speaking length of the string is made to string on both top-load plate bridges and Mustang and other string-through-body bridges without binding at the tuner.

Regarding bridges, I have found over the decades of trying both that I don't hear any sonic difference in either tone or sustain for either top-load or string-through-body. I also hear no difference, as did the original bass bridge shoot-out Guitar Player article of the late '70's (before Bass Player magazine was spun off, and when brass everything: bridge, nuts, even knobs, was the rage), so long as the bridge is well made, stable, and installed properly on the instrument. That article preferred the vintage bolt-stock steel plate top-load bridge for both tone and sustain.

 

[cheechi]

thanks for the suggestion. i always wind up liking rotos better than anything else, but the GHS aside from being one of the few choices, do seem like a good choice.

as far as the bridge, it is less about the sonic qualities honestly. when i put on lighter tuners it helps, but when i put on a heavier bridge it helps even more, to have the bass rest at a more comfortable angle for me to play without having to shift it up and down like rowing a boat all day.

 

[alex1fly]

My 30" shortie had GHS short scale strings for a couple of years. Now it has La Bella long scale strings. Both sets wound up fine, intonate great, no issues. The long scale strings are a bit harder to wind because they're thicker at the tuning peg whereas the short scale strings had a kind of taper going on.

I say just try it and see what you think

 

[iiipopes]

My 30" shortie had GHS short scale strings for a couple of years. Now it has La Bella long scale strings. Both sets wound up fine, intonate great, no issues. The long scale strings are a bit harder to wind because they're thicker at the tuning peg whereas the short scale strings had a kind of taper going on.

I say just try it and see what you think

Which set of GHS? From the tone of your post, it appears you had GHS strings before the short scale balanced nickels became available. I encourage you to try a set. Also, by letting the speaking length of the string go around the tuner post, especially the E string, you risk breakage at an inopportune time.

 

[alex1fly]

Which set of GHS? From the tone of your post, it appears you had GHS strings before the short scale balanced nickels became available. I encourage you to try a set. Also, by letting the speaking length of the string go around the tuner post, especially the E string, you risk breakage at an inopportune time.

The shortie set I had was the short scale balanced. Took them off a few months ago.