Using long scale strings on short scale bass

[Phreaky Phriday]

If it's stupid and it works, it isn't stupid

 

[Prodigus Filius]

Model aircraft wheel collar method
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/di...ings-out-of-long-scale-strings.1549282/page-3

If the taper end is still too big for a tuning peg hole or slot , you will have to use the method espoused at the beginning of that thread and remove some wrapping to make a smaller taper

 

[JohnEdward]

I’ve successfully wrapped numerous long scale flats on my Gibson SG. The only ones that absolutely won’t take in my experience is La Bella. The E just breaks apart. The A, D and G worked just fine.

 

[Iristone]

It depends on the size of the tuner post. Certainly a no-go on a Höfner, and it's good to be extra careful with normal small tuners. Vintage large tuners should be fine, though, and La Bella even uses their long-scale strings on their own short-scale Olinto basses!

 

[andare]

I have used heavy walled brass tubing to extend the bridge and extra inch or so, only works on top loading bridges. I seen other use small 1/4 sockets.

This is currently how I am running SS Tapes on a Mini P

You still have the baby strap buttons

 

[JohnEdward]

It depends on the size of the tuner post. Certainly a no-go on a Höfner, and it's good to be extra careful with normal small tuners. Vintage large tuners should be fine, though, and La Bella even uses their long-scale strings on their own short-scale Olinto basses!

Ain’t no way. I could see their Olinto strings working, but I just don’t see how to wrap that DTF E around a post. I’ve tried three times, and each has snapped (I really wanted the gold flats to take to my Gibson).

 

[Iristone]

Ain’t no way. I could see their Olinto strings working, but I just don’t see how to wrap that DTF E around a post. I’ve tried three times, and each has snapped (I really wanted the gold flats to take to my Gibson).

Too bad. Maybe you could order the short or medium scale model directly from La Bella? I haven't tried that on my SG Bass, but I can understand since La Bella flats are a bit stiffer than most. I used to fit GHS P Flats on a Gibson SG Bass and it held up fine.

 

[JohnEdward]

Too bad. Maybe you could order the short or medium scale model directly from La Bella? I haven't tried that on my SG Bass, but I can understand since La Bella flats are a bit stiffer than most. I used to fit GHS P Flats on a Gibson SG Bass and it held up fine.

I doubt that’d be a possibility, but might be worth asking. The gold flats seem like they’d be perfect for the darker Gibson.

 

[GIBrat51]

Maybe I’ve just been lucky but I’ve used long scale Chromes on my 31” Birdsong for years and never had a problem despite most string manufacturers saying you shouldn’t allow anything but the silk section to wrap around the post. As you can see from the photo that definitely occurs with the E and G strings - and yes, the outer winding is clearly getting a little separated - but I’ve never had a string break or go bad on me yet. Must be the luck of the Irish in me

Well...
Actually, I don't think it's luck. When I was having my '24 Birdsong Fusion lined fretless made, I had some pretty long conversations about strings with Scott Beckwith. I was going to have him put short scale La Bella Black Tapes on it, but we finally decided to go with the strings Scott told me were the "standard" strings that Birdsongs ship with; D'Addario ECB82 Chromes. Which only come in Long scale. He also told me that they wind their pickups to work best with those strings. Of course, they'll pretty much build you whatever you want; but, I decided that exotic woods were custom enough, and went with "stock" hardware and electronics. I don't use D'Addario strings, as a general rule, but I decided to go with them, this once. And, I'm glad I did; they sound just great on that bass...