strings for a 35" scale string through body?

[redname]

i got my hands on a bass tht's 35" with a string through body and found it hard to find strings for it if i wanna make use of the string through feature

from nut to end of bridge is around 37" and i measure the body thickness to the top of the saddle to be roughly 2", so that means i'll be looking at strings with 39" winding length

am i correct to measure it this way?

if yes, then pls tell me what choices do i have cause i see quite a few brands have their extra/super long scale at 38" winding length

 

[michael_t]

Is it a 4-string or 5-string?

If it's a 35" scale and "the body thickness to the top of the saddle" is 2", then 38" winding length should be long enough, or even 37.75".

DR's "long scale" is 37.75", Ken Smith's "long scale" is 38". Some companies offer "extra long" at 38" or longer.

Any specific type of strings are you looking for?

 

[michael_t]

By the way, what specific make and model of bass are we talking about?

 

[Geri O]

On my 35"-scale Mike Lulls, they have the B-string-only through the body.

So I'm ordering regular long-scale D'addario Pro Steels and a super-long Pro Steel .135 for the B string.

So I feel safe in recommending the D'addario Super-Long-Scale sets for your bass.

 

[michael_t]

I feel safe in recommending the D'addario Super-Long-Scale sets for your bass.

For the OP... D'Addario "super long" = 38" in winding length (ball end to taper).

 

[Killing Floor]

Can’t speak for your bass. But on my string through basses, 34 and 35” scale, mounting through body is only 1/4” longer than top load. It obviously depends on the body and bridge. Instead of measuring the thickness of the slab try pulling a string through the ferrule and measure to the saddle and compare that length to top load.

 

[redname]

Is it a 4-string or 5-string?

If it's a 35" scale and "the body thickness to the top of the saddle" is 2", then 38" winding length should be long enough, or even 37.75".

DR's "long scale" is 37.75", Ken Smith's "long scale" is 38". Some companies offer "extra long" at 38" or longer.

Any specific type of strings are you looking for?

5 string

Just rounds wld do, might change to flats someday

 

[redname]

By the way, what specific make and model of bass are we talking about?

It's a Michael Kelly element 5

 

[redname]

Can’t speak for your bass. But on my string through basses, 34 and 35” scale, mounting through body is only 1/4” longer than top load. It obviously depends on the body and bridge. Instead of measuring the thickness of the slab try pulling a string through the ferrule and measure to the saddle and compare that length to top load.

On my 35"-scale Mike Lulls, they have the B-string-only through the body.

So I'm ordering regular long-scale D'addario Pro Steels and a super-long Pro Steel .135 for the B string.

So I feel safe in recommending the D'addario Super-Long-Scale sets for your bass.

Thanks for the suggestions

 

[EvilJ]

If you don't find anything that works, Try Newtone Strings. You can customize everything.

 

[michael_t]

5 string

Just rounds wld do, might change to flats someday

As I mentioned earlier, DR's standard "long scale" is 37.75", including the low B. D'Addario "super long" is 38". Shouldn't be too hard to find what suits your needs.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Premium, Extended Range, Bass Guitar Strings | Kalium Music

 

[nnnnnn]

My 35" scale Lakland came strung through the body with d'Addarios.

I haven't changed the strings yet, but at one point I tried to measure up and compare to the string lengths listed on the d'Addario website, and it seemed like they were not even the extra long ones. The Lakland has a 3+2 headstock though, so the G and D strings don't have to reach very far.

 

[Chrisk-K]

In my 30+ years of playing the bass, the only advantage of string-thru is to keep ferrules in place.

 

[getBAK]

The D'Addario Extra Long Scale strings should be ok. I have them on my 35" MTD with a top loader, there is LOT's of extra length

 

[jasper383]

I have had a few 35" through body basses, and I just concluded that DR was always going to work. They are always long enough.

 

[NeckPickup]

Here is a useful list I recently got from Lakland when I inquired about strings that would fit my Lakland 5 other than Lakland strings. The tapered B on the Lakland strings are obviously a perfect fit for through the body, and I use the medium nickels. Note the list has many brands and many lengths, so choose one that is long enough, e.g. 38”. You may want a taper-core B for through-body (see attached pdf).

 

[JazznFunk]

DR Strings will fit thru-body stringing 35" scale with plenty to spare (B and E strings are not tapered, which I prefer). Lakland Custom Wounds will also do the same (B and E are tapered slightly). I play Lakland 5'ers and those are my go-tos. I used to love Fodera custom wound strings, but they quit making XL lengths stock.

 

[J Wilson]

What kind? REALLY long ones.

 

[Bob_Ross]

I use Ken Smith AA-RMM-5X Extra-Long which apparently have a 40" winding, and they fit perfectly on my Lakland Skyline 55-02D (35" scale length) when I string it through the body.