Short scale strings?

They were probably a different guage than your originals.
Try not to use heavy strings on short scales, they don't work well. 45,65,80,100 is the heaviest I would go on a short scale.
Most shortys come stock with 45,60,75,95 which is actually better for the neck. Except for LaBella hofner Beatle Bass Strings, which are made the old way in which case the core is exposed and it is the core that is wound around the tuning posts. If you use these DO NOT CUT THEM. They fit perfect with no cutting needed. If you have a Mustang type bass use Medium scale strings or cut a set of longs. Shorts wont fit a Stang or Musicmaster. I hope this helps.

P.S. The new strings you tryed are probably ok you just need to intonate the bridge some.

 

Are you talking about a specific brand that won't fit these basses? I've used both Fender Shorts on both models with great success, and my '78 Musicmaster is currently wearing D'Addario XL short scale strings with nary a problem... In fact, I highly recommend the D'Addario's for deep, clear tone from a short scale...

-robert

 

Just because a string is labelled "short scale" does not mean it will fit your particular "short scale" bass.

Eg. - my D"Addario Chrome Flat Short Scale strings fit my Allen Woody, but do not fit my Alembic, Gretsch and Guild "short scale" basses - for these I need med scale strings.

D'Addario has a guide page for determining which string length designation actually fits your particular bass:

How do I determine which scale strings my bass requires?

 

Do you have any feelings about what sounds best for a medium scale? I've got 45,65,85,105 on there and have been happy but I wonder if anyone feels it would sound better with a 100 in place of the 105?
Sorry to get off post, but at least it's related.

 

It's not a sound issue, it's the tension factor. Those heavy strings put a lot of tension on that small neck. A buddy of mine had an old short scale Harmony I set it up for him with short scales 45-105's and they were too hard on the neck. I didn't want to max out the truss rod so I installed lighter strings which the neck had handled much better.

 

Bassicaly if there's no problems then nothing wrong with keeping the higher tension strings then. Cool, thanks!