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Short scale strings

#22
#24
Pier_ said:
I beg your pardon, can you tell me how these DR Flats work on the Mustang? I've always wanted to try them, but my unconditioned love for the Thomastik never led me to buy them, but I'm really curious!
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I was afraid they would be too high a tension, because I tried TI's on it first, but the DR's feel perfect. The DR's are higher tension, but just enough to eliminate any floppiness and feel very balanced.
I love TI's too, but I think the DR's are better on the 30" scale and have a little more thump as well.
 
#27
It's a Squier Bronco that'd heavily modified. It has the stock tuners
 

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#28
Turd Ferguson said:
It's a Squier Bronco that'd heavily modified. It has the stock tuners
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Small tuners = short scale strings needed, and better if they are "real" short scale, so avoid the various shorts that are medium scale, or just take the risk.
For example, Pyramid Gold are long enough for a 32" bass or an Hofner, and too long for a 30" bass, but I had them on a Danelectro Longhorn, and the E didn't break, because they are roundcore and flexible.

"short" DR and Thomastik are both for 32" basses.
 
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#30
My used Gretsch Junior Jet came with cut down rounds of some sort, and they kind of worked. The E string was wound without putting the end in the hole. I would say it was probably not stable tuning-wise though, but since they may have been brand new strings, it could have been that too. I cut down some 15 year old tapewounds and put them on. The E string again wouldn't fit in the hole, but they went on fine otherwise and seem to play ok. They worked well enough for me to see if I liked the sound, but it's a kludge that would cause some pita, so I guess unless it's worth it for you to deal with, I'd just get ss strings.
 
#32
andertone said:
I tried DR HI beam short scale strings on my 69 Guild Starfire II, and they did not work. Anybody else have this problem?
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I don't know much about this stuff, but I did notice above someone said "short scale" DR strings are actually for 32" which would be medium scale. Makes no sense to me, but that might explain what you're finding...and save me, as I was about to order some black beauties for my 30" short scale. kj.
 
#33
Measure the distance between where the string's ball ends go on the teilpiece, and the nut. That's the Winding Length. Then, consult the winding length chart on Bass String Online' web site for the correct string length. I'll bet ya a dollar to a donut that you need medium scale length strings, because of the extra distance back to the tailpiece. That's pretty common for that body style; and almost any bass with a trapeze tailpiece, too. Welcome to the club; my short scale Gretsch Broadkaster actually takes long scale strings...:)
 
#35
Silk wraps were below the nut. Starfire is actually a medium scale base (see my avatar with the alembic bridge) not 30.5", the string
length has to be longer. Smith Rock Masters work, but they are too bright. Flats are not my thing (or Jack Casady anymore, He uses Markley blue steels)
 
#36
andertone said:
Silk wraps were below the nut. Starfire is actually a medium scale base (see my avatar with the alembic bridge) not 30.5", the string
length has to be longer. Smith Rock Masters work, but they are too bright. Flats are not my thing (or Jack Casady anymore, He uses Markley blue steels)
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Right, I am aware of that... I have a 9X's reissue and have a lot of customers with them.

What is odd is the SFL-45 set should have a 34" winding length so it should work unless you modified it.

I just held up a SFL-45 Short Scale DR Flatwound to my Starfire and it will fit. Goes about 1/4" past the nut. Measured the E-String it is 33.5" Ball to Silk


When you use the Rock Masters (which have a 38" winding length) the E-String is going full winding around the post correct?
 
#37
I used longscale strings in the past on my Longhorns, both Danelectro and Jerry Jones models. Some of the strings wouldn't fit through the tuner so I unwound some of the string from the core and inserted the core into the hole and strung them up with no issues. Works with rounds anyway. Trying to wrap flats around the skinny tuning post would probably break them. Not a lot of variety in short scale strings and I liked Elixers so I even put a set of those on my Dano without issue. Never had any break but I could see how it could be an issue sometimes on the skinny posts.
 
#38
Hi SLapINFun: Yes, Smith's Rock Masters go completely around, perfect. l Also had great luck with
Thomastic Short scales, but hated the low tension (both rounds and flats). Great strings,
but too pricey, plus I managed to make the G string slip off the fretboard with vibrato.

I think my problem is my alembic bridge ( see avatar) which extends the string length compared to the standard
Guild Harp bridge that used to be on the bass.

Thanks!
 
#39
Turd Ferguson said:
Sweet I ordered the DR's for that and just order a Squier Vintage Modified Telecaster Special bass (32" scale). Already looking into replacing the jazz pickup lol
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Hi I just picked up a Vintage modified Telecaster Bass, 32" scale length, and I'm looking for some medium scale flatwounds. How did you find the short Dr flatwound strings worked out?
 

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