String length on a Gibson Ripper - am I doing this right or not?

[Lebowsky]

Hopefully this thread can become a resource for people looking for the same information as me, because I have only read contradictory information regarding the needed string length for stringing through the body of a Ripper.

I've been using Ernie Ball hybrid slinkys exclusively on my Ripper, without noticing any problem. According to the Invalid Link Removed, they are 37.25" long, which is long scale, whereas some information on the web says extra long scale is needed. I've read some people saying they strung through the body with long scale string without any problem.

Now my question is: am doing something wrong using long scal strings? Are they too short and I am not noticing it?

Here are some pics of the nut and headstock (and the bridge to prove it's strung-through). They are delibaretly high-res, so you can click on them to enlarge. What do you think? I don't quite remember the last time I did it, but I don't I cut the strings before putting them on. Does it look ok to you?

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[iiipopes]

Original Gibson Rippers are 34 1/2 inches in scale, so with the added length of string through, many strings may not be long enough. Contact Jason.

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[southshoreconor]

this happened on my old t40 with long strings. i forget what brand i found that started to taper about half an inch later with the "long scale".

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Looks like that instrument needs a 38" string... Absolute minimum 37.75"

If you want to continue using Ernie Balls I would suggest using their Extra Long strings.

 

[Lebowsky]

Ok, but can you describe what's wrong from the picture? Sorry, I'm not a native speaker...

Very hard to find stainless steel roundwounds in 45-65-85-110 extra long scale. Rotosound 66 I ordered from BSO will definitely not be long enough in that case... they don't seem to to have those gauges in extra long scale. Ernie Ball only has nickels, no stainless steel. Looks like only La Bella is left in the rock genre, and that's a custom order... Fodera does not tempt me, it is not really advertised for an aggressive rock sound playing with a pick...

 

[Dubsly]

I had a Ripper for a few years and always had to get Extra Long Scale when going though the body.

 

[FourNotFive]

If you look at the nut on the E and A strings they start to taper on the neck side of the nut (and the D is right on the edge). That is the problem. I have a couple of Rippers and have found that some brands of regular long scale will do the trick while most require you to use extra long scale. If you like those strings and they are easy to get you could just skip going through body and run them just from the bridge.

 

[Lebowsky]

Thanks for the explanation FourNotFive. I'm currently discussing with Jason to find which strings are best to replace those (I like stringing throught the body).

What are the consequences of using too short strings like I did?

 

[jasper383]

When in doubt, I have found DR strings to be long enough for just about any bass.

 

[FunkHead]

Thanks for the explanation FourNotFive. I'm currently discussing with Jason to find which strings are best to replace those (I like stringing throught the body).

What are the consequences of using too short strings like I did?

No major consequences. Just that the string has some room for movement in the nut on the E & A strings. Also the "fat" Part of the String can catch and ruin the nut while tuning up. The loose fit in the nut could cause some rattle/vibrations. If it plays/sounds fine then it's all good for now but go with longer scale next time around.

 

[Lebowsky]

When in doubt, I have found DR strings to be long enough for just about any bass.

No major consequences. Just that the string has some room for movement in the nut on the E & A strings. Also the "fat" Part of the String can catch and ruin the nut while tuning up. The loose fit in the nut could cause some rattle/vibrations. If it plays/sounds fine then it's all good for now but go with longer scale next time around.

Thanks! Yeah looks like I'm going either with DR Lo-Riders or La Bellas!

 

[ThaCoast]

Have you tried stretching the strings out to loosen the tension of fresh new strings to break them in? if not i`d start with that, cause i thought my e string wouldnt reach the nut or even go past it but after pulling on the strings to stretch them, the e string finally fit within the nut slot and everything is fine.