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Short scale strings
- Thread starter cirrosis
- Start date
I am sort of embarrassed to say...
Although I am currently using short scale strings, I have in the past cut long scale strings and put them on a short scale bass and never had a problem.
Although I am currently using short scale strings, I have in the past cut long scale strings and put them on a short scale bass and never had a problem.
There's a lot of science / technology that goes into engineering the best diameters and construction of strings to work, play, and sound best with various string / scale lengths. It's best to use the correct intended string length for your instrument.
You'll find a wealth of information here from other players who have the same instrument as you have.
You'll find a wealth of information here from other players who have the same instrument as you have.
Jon Moody of GHS has designed or re-designed all the GHS short scale offerings to fit string-through-body short scale basses with a 32.75 inch winding length before the silk as well as for 31-inch scale top load bridges, and in addition to basses with conventional top load bridges with a 30 to 30.5 inch scale. So there is no need to use "regular" strings on any short scale bass, with two exceptions I know about: 1) Hofner with the long distance between the bridge and the string anchor, which may take the La Bella or Pyramid specialized set, or many other manufacturers' "medium" scale set, and again, measure; and 2) the old Harmony H-22 which had the string anchor as part of the end pin assembly, with so much distance between the anchor and the bridge that this bass actually uses conventional long scale strings.
In a pinch almost all the time a standard set will work. But sometimes it’s a problem on the tuning posts.
Don’t jump me. I said in a pinch.
Don’t jump me. I said in a pinch.
They might be ok. I use theses Ghs strings for a rascal Fender that should normally be equipped with medium scale strings.
but it’s the limit :
- The silk begins just 3mm (1/8”) after the nut, so it’s the limit but they work. - - For the G string, i didn’t cut it and it just wraps 1 turn around the post. And it’s enough to keep a stable tuning.
as mentioned: you need to measure.
There would be another fairly significant exception; if a person wants to use a string brand other than GHS or a string type / gauge not available from GHS in short scale. There are some that choose not to use GHS strings due to experiences in the past.
Ric5
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- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
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- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Using long scale strings on a short scale bass can make for problems on how the strings enter the machine head tuners. It depends on the bass and the brand of strings, but you might end up with broken strings.
That is a preference, not an exception based on the relative physical relationship between the bridge, scale length and string anchor.
Often you can't fit the string in the tuner if you cut longs and try to put them on a shorty. Also, you cannot cut and use flats that way - they will break.
Strings are WOUND AT TENSION. When you put longs on a short scale bass they never reach the tension they were designed for or the sound. Muddiness is the usual result, and why shorties have had a bad rep for many years.
I recently found that short scale T.I. Flats (324) will actually fit both medium and short scale basses, but they sound COMPLETELY different on the 2 scales!
Mustangs with only string-through will need Medium scale strings. MUCH harder to find. I have 2 Medium Scale basses, Thankfully that GHS has a good assortment.
Just use the RIGHT STRINGS!
Strings are WOUND AT TENSION. When you put longs on a short scale bass they never reach the tension they were designed for or the sound. Muddiness is the usual result, and why shorties have had a bad rep for many years.
I recently found that short scale T.I. Flats (324) will actually fit both medium and short scale basses, but they sound COMPLETELY different on the 2 scales!
Mustangs with only string-through will need Medium scale strings. MUCH harder to find. I have 2 Medium Scale basses, Thankfully that GHS has a good assortment.
Just use the RIGHT STRINGS!
Here are a couple relevant quotes by @Root 5 regarding min and max winding lengths for a strung-through Mustang:
^ To be checked against info on string manufacturers' different takes on what "short-" and "medium-scale" length means, conveniently collected here:
Bass String Lengths by Manufacturer
(originally gathered by Jason of FretNation.com), but some of which may be outdated.
I have phoned Eric at la bella
He have told me this is the best fit for string thru mustang
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
check it out
I use D'addario EXL160S strings on my short scaled basses (50-105). The wound portion on the E, A and D ends at 32 1/4 inches. (The G doesn't need to taper). It's a perfect length for a Vox Apache or Hofner Shorty, each a 30" scale, terminating at the bridge, no string through body. Too long for Ibanez Mikro or Jackson Minion Bass, which are 28.6" scales. They really need strings with a 31" wound portion. It's only the E that is a problem so I add some washers or extra balls at the tail end to pull it back a bit.
Yes, they're made specifically for the Mustang bass. And, they probably are "the best" strings for it - if you want flat wound strings. But, if you don't? Then they probably aren't... The problem with flat wound strings and string-thru basses, is that sometimes the break angle from the body to the bridge saddles is too severe for a flatwound string - and they can break. Emphasis on the "sometimes". Those Mustang flats from La Bella are designed not to break; with other flats? You pays your money, and you takes your chance... However; if you want to string your Mustang with rounds? Some short scale rounds are long enough to work; pretty much any medium scale rounds will work fine. Round wound strings don't suffer from the potential breaking problem that flats do in that situation. So, use whatever string strikes your fancy if you want to use rounds. Flats? Personally, I'd stick with those Mustang flats...
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Yes those are definitely the one I was raving about. I neglected the S at the end of the product name.
I can tell you from experience that Dunlop flats in short scale work on a string thru Mustang.Yes, they're made specifically for the Mustang bass. And, they probably are "the best" strings for it - if you want flat wound strings. But, if you don't? Then they probably aren't... The problem with flat wound strings and string-thru basses, is that sometimes the break angle from the body to the bridge saddles is too severe for a flatwound string - and they can break. Emphasis on the "sometimes". Those Mustang flats from La Bella are designed not to break; with other flats? You pays your money, and you takes your chance... However; if you want to string your Mustang with rounds? Some short scale rounds are long enough to work; pretty much any medium scale rounds will work fine. Round wound strings don't suffer from the potential breaking problem that flats do in that situation. So, use whatever string strikes your fancy if you want to use rounds. Flats? Personally, I'd stick with those Mustang flats...
May be true for some brands but generally short scale strings work fine on a Mustang. Also, the tuners are heavy duty with the same size posts as their long scale basses, and I’ve had good luck using long scale strings with them. Now if was a Dano with cheap Kluson imitation guitar tuners, that’s a different story. But I have done it with shorties many times over the years and never had a mishap. That said, you are surely better off using short scale.
As I posted before, I bought some long scale GHS Pressurewounds to put on my Mustang. Before I did, I tried the short scale Pressurewounds I had on my Maruszscyk on the Mustang. If they fit, I was gonna return the longscalers for a set of short scale. Well, they turned out to be about 1/8 - 1/4 short of taking the full wind to the nut on each string. The long scale went on fine with no sign of any wind separation at the tuner. We'll see how long they last.
