In an effort to tighten up the E string, I'm looking for a higher tension set of flats for the Gretsch G2220 (30 inch scale) bass I have. I'd welcome any suggestions. It doesn't seem that D'Addario makes a short scale set with a .105 E...
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Suggestions Needed - Which Higher Tension Flats for Gretsch G2220?
- Thread starter BulbousMoses
- Start date
Yeah, I've noticed the same issue... that the E string is floppy on my G2220. I haven't found a solution, yet.
So far, just the default that came on it. I picked up some Aurora coated strings, but I haven't actually put them on, yet.
That's how it looks to me - largest gauge Chrome E is .100. But if you look on the Invalid Link Removed page ... the La Bella 760M 1954 (AKA "Jamerson") is .110, 760FM is .109, 760FS is .105. There could be differences in construction that would make more difference than a couple thousandths of an inch, but I'm confident that the 760M set will be high enough tension. (That's what I use on my Gretsch hollow body, but it's a tailpiece style so I'm tuning 34" strings to a 32" scale.)
I'm assuming that La Bella's string gauges are independent of scale, but as you can see that's not how the others do it. Short scale strings are typically lighter gauge, and in fact short scale Chromes are relatively heavy. Is that what you're using now?
LaBella flats definitely tightened up the E string on mine. I went with the FM-S set and in my opinion, they have a really dark sound. If you're looking for a bright tone, I wouldn't recommend these. If you want something a little darker with a very distinct tone, these might be a good fit.
There's a tendency to assume that a short scale bass should have "light" gauge strings. And, IME (I have a bunch of them) the opposite is true. Except for a Danelectro Longhorn (light gauge strings make it "original") all my shorty's wear nothing less than 45-100s - rounds or flats. anything less is just asking for "floppy". So, any short scale flats in the 45-100/105 range will probably do. La Bella flats are pretty much the default flat wound; either the 760FL-S, or the slightly heavier 760FM-S set will probably make you happy. Because of how they're made, most flats will be higher tension than most equivalent gauge round wound sets. And, the fact that most of them are hex cores will make them stiff, anyway. While I much prefer flats and tapes, this Kramer Duke has short scale 50-107 GHS Bass Boomers (rounds) on it - because I like how they sound. They have a hex core wire, and the last thing in the world they are is floppy. So, stiff short scale rounds are available, too - if you change your mind...
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Agreed, I use flats on my Fenders which are regular scale and the string tension on my Gretsch with the LaBellas is noticeably tighter.View attachment 3321595 There's a tendency to assume that a short scale bass should have "light" gauge strings. And, IME (I have a bunch of them) the opposite is true. Except for a Danelectro Longhorn (light gauge strings make it "original") all my shorty's wear nothing less than 45-100s - rounds or flats. anything less is just asking for "floppy". So, any short scale flats in the 45-100/105 range will probably do. La Bella flats are pretty much the default flat wound; either the 760FL-S, or the slightly heavier 760FM-S set will probably make you happy. Because of how they're made, most flats will be higher tension than most equivalent gauge round wound sets. And, the fact that most of them are hex cores will make them stiff, anyway. While I much prefer flats and tapes, this Kramer Duke has short scale 50-107 GHS Bass Boomers (rounds) on it - because I like how they sound. They have a hex core wire, and the last thing in the world they are is floppy. So, stiff short scale rounds are available, too - if you change your mind...
