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Double Bass Strings for 34" EUBs

MrWalker

MrWalker

Apr 3, 2002
1,846
360
58
Norway
#1
Hello!
I recently was lucky enough to find a second-hand Conklin MEU 5-string, a bass that I have been lusting for for years! :-) So I'm a happy EUB owner now! This is a 34" EUB.

My problem right now is to find suitable strings for her! I wish to tune her E-C, and I was planning on using TI Jazz Bass flatwounds, and I bought a 6-string of these strings. However, the distance from the string anchor to the bridge is 5", and the scale length is 34", so I need a string which has at least 39" from the ball end to the silk wrapping on the tuner side, and the TI JB 34" string isn't long enough to fit this bill. This results in the silk wrapping coming onto the fingerboard at the nut.

There is a TI 36" string, but I haven't seen it with a C-string, just B-G.

any suggestions on what strings to use for this purpose? Anyone else been through this hunt? Thanks for any help!
 
#3
Yes, and the answer I got lead me to order a set of electric bass strings. And then when happily trying to install them I discovered they aren't long enough. So just trying to do some research before ordering another expensive set of strings that will not work :-)

Just wondering if other players of "short-scale" EUBs have been down the same road and have some advice to share :-)
 
#4
Get short TI double bass strings (like 1/4 Spirocores or even shorter, the shortest ones you can get) and add a 3/4 high C to them. This string is a bit long, but thin, so you can wind a bit more. The 3/4 string will fit tensionwise to the shorter scale strings (only the 4/4 Spiros are an exception). The medium (Mittel) strings will get a lot less tension on your shorter scale, so it might work for you. You might want to order the single 3/4 Medium Spiro first to check if the tension might work and if it does, get a (used) 3/4 medium Spiro set later.
But this is all educated guessing, I only play regular scale EUBs.
 
#6
DoubleMIDI said:
Get short TI double bass strings (like 1/4 Spirocores or even shorter, the shortest ones you can get) and add a 3/4 high C to them. This string is a bit long, but thin, so you can wind a bit more. The 3/4 string will fit tensionwise to the shorter scale strings (only the 4/4 Spiros are an exception). The medium (Mittel) strings will get a lot less tension on your shorter scale, so it might work for you. You might want to order the single 3/4 Medium Spiro first to check if the tension might work and if it does, get a (used) 3/4 medium Spiro set later.
But this is all educated guessing, I only play regular scale EUBs.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice! Just checked, and a 1/4 upright bass has a scale length of 90cm, which is close to the 86cm of a 34" bass, so I'm thinking they should probably fit! Good idea about the C-string from a 3/4 spiro set. I will definitely check that out more thoroughly!! Thanks!!! Great advice!
 
#9
Last update on this, if anyone is interested: I got saved by the guys over at bassstringsonline.com. :-) They have gotten a couple of the string factories to make super long strings for them, with wound length of 40" and 42". And even a flatwound 6-string set made by La Bella. So I have ordered that and will test that out first, and then we'll see what happens next. :-)

I might still try to get hold of a 1/8 set for upright bass to see if that gives a more genuine upright sound. :-)
 
#10
Keep in mind that they usually only make the string longer, not lighter, so you will get a lot more tension on a longer scale. (Think about which note you get when fingered at the standard scale length!)
I once got a double bass set from an asian manufacturer and it sounded close to an electric bass on my Stagg EUB (which the standard upright strings do not). After some mail exchange they told me, that they made them similar to flatwound electric bass strings. So this is what you can expect from longer flatwound bass guitar strings.
 
#11
Yes, I see your point, DoubleMIDI. The upright strings are exactly what you describe, they get less tension with decreasing scale length.

However, the set I'm ordering now is an electric string set, it's just longer, which on my bass will only count for the longer distance from the tailpiece to the bridge. The "playing string" length is 34" as on an electric, so I will get the same tension as I'm used to on my electrics. This is of course a trade-off.... it's going to be more like my electrics and maybe less like an upright, but at least it's strings that fit! I might try to find upright strings for her later, I've read that this is a major problem for all electric uprights with odd scale lengths. Unfortunately, the NS Design strings are too short and cannot be used... I might have to consider getting a slightly different tailpiece made. :-)
 

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