strings for short scale bass

[bkeary]

I'm working on a shortscale (25.5") bass and was wondering what guage strings to use. I could go with 52/42/30/20 guitar strings but I was wondering if I could go heavier.
thanks, Bill

 

[seanm]

Wow that is short! What bass is it? Without knowing anything about the bass, can't really say how heavy you can go.

If you are worried about the neck, you might want to look at baritone guitar strings and see what range they use (although they will be 6 strings). The heavy strings for a baritone should be safe.

 

[bkeary]

It's a copy of the Mezzaluna picolo bass. I was looking for a small lightwieght jam-type bass, so I decided to build one.

 

[kearney]

i have a gretsch electromatic bass, its a JR, Daddario makes special short scale medium gauge roundwounds, i got some the other day

 

[seanm]

That's pretty cool! I think you would be safe with light guage bass strings.