What strings are these?

[HaphAsSard]

Yeah, this Viola bass has proven to be a pain the neck to get strings for. And I don't think I want to take the chance on winding full gauge strings. I don't know much about bass, but I know that's bad lol. I guess I'll skip the EBs for now, thanks for the info.

Could you do me a favour and measure the distance between (approximately) where the E-string ball-end is, and the nut? This will tell us the minimum full-winding length required on your Viola (since trapeze tailpieces aren't exactly identical, said length might differ from the one that, say, a Höfner Ignition 500/1 needs).
And since we're at it, could you also measure from ball-end to E-string tuning post (IOW the maximum length requirement)?
Thank you in advance!

 

[Swerve]

Ah ok, that makes more sense then, thanks guys. If I may, I would like to ask for a recommendation.

The main reason I changed the strings was because the old set was very floppy, which I hated. The LaBellas feel like they have much higher tension which is a lot better. I assume this is because of the heavier gauge or maybe the construction. Or both, maybe you can tell me.

But the old Rotosound strings had a bit more growl to them, which I liked. The LaBellas are nice and fat but are very smooth and are missing this growl somewhat. Can you recommend a flat wound set with the fat tone and higher tension of the LaBellas but with a bit more growl like the Rotosound ones had? Thanks!

Sounds like Chromes would work too. Dunlops are my all time favorite but they are not as stiff as Chromes/Cobalts/Fenders etc, but certainly not floppy either.

 

[mellowgerman]

As a long-time player of Guild Starfire basses which fall into a similar string-length limbo area as Hofner Violin basses, I can give you a strong word of warning in regard to EB Cobalt flats. They only come in long-scale and will work sometimes when wound beyond the silks, but doing this weakens them and we've seen a number of instances where they have broken if not wound at the tuning-pegs as designed - sometimes immediately, sometimes a few weeks or months down the line. Especially with the tiny/skinny tuning pegs of the Hofners, which would result in a much tighter/smaller-diameter coil around the peg, I would strongly recommend against trying the Cobalts.

 

[GIBrat51]

I put a set of the RS77M's on my new Guild Starfire I bass last night. Personally, I find them to be neither "floppy" (something I don't like at all), nor particularly high tension. The posted tension for these strings is 137.31 lbs., which IME is more or less average for lighter gauge, medium scale flats. They seem very nice, so far; they feel good; fairly supple, but I can play them with a pick - with no technique adjustment - which is a big plus in my book. So... if you have them on an Epiphone Viola Bass? I can't imagine they'd be much different than the ones on my Guild. But, yes; heavier gauge La Bellas are going to be stiffer - and higher tension - than the Rotos. I have La Bella medium scale 760FL's (43-104) on one of my violin basses; the difference in stiffness; perceived tension; and feel is... not drastic; but, it is rather noticeable. I'd have no problem with the Roto's on any of my other basses with trapeze tailpieces and separate bridges - floating or otherwise. And, I have several of them. But, I suppose it all boils down to what you like. And, with basses like these? Finding strings that will actually tune up - and also, at least more or less intonate - IME can sometimes be hard to do. When I do? I'm very reluctant to try different strings on that bass, after that. But, if you want to experiment? With very few exceptions - like short scale Pyramids and TI Jazz Flats/Jazz Rounds - you're going to need medium scale strings. Some short scale GHS strings might fit, but, I couldn't swear to it. Much as I like my basses like these? They can be kind of a pain, sometimes...

 

[Supernaute]

Ok I took some measurements on the Epiphone Viola Bass.

Ball-end to nut is about 33 1/2 inches.
Ball-end to E/G tuning posts is about 35 3/4 inches.

I also measured the strings I have.

LaBellas are 34 1/2 inches, ball-end to silk.
Rotos are 35 inches, ball-end to silk.

So right in that range seems right. I notice Labella lists the 34 inch requirement while Rotosound doesn't. Ernie Ball doesn't list this measurement either. Also, Rotosound lists tension measurements while LaBella doesn't. Frustrating lack of consistency there lol.

 

[Supernaute]

I put a set of the RS77M's on my new Guild Starfire I bass last night. Personally, I find them to be neither "floppy" (something I don't like at all), nor particularly high tension. The posted tension for these strings is 137.31 lbs., which IME is more or less average for lighter gauge, medium scale flats. They seem very nice, so far; they feel good; fairly supple, but I can play them with a pick - with no technique adjustment - which is a big plus in my book. So... if you have them on an Epiphone Viola Bass? I can't imagine they'd be much different than the ones on my Guild. But, yes; heavier gauge La Bellas are going to be stiffer - and higher tension - than the Rotos. I have La Bella medium scale 760FL's (43-104) on one of my violin basses; the difference in stiffness; perceived tension; and feel is... not drastic; but, it is rather noticeable. I'd have no problem with the Roto's on any of my other basses with trapeze tailpieces and separate bridges - floating or otherwise. And, I have several of them. But, I suppose it all boils down to what you like. And, with basses like these? Finding strings that will actually tune up - and also, at least more or less intonate - IME can sometimes be hard to do. When I do? I'm very reluctant to try different strings on that bass, after that. But, if you want to experiment? With very few exceptions - like short scale Pyramids and TI Jazz Flats/Jazz Rounds - you're going to need medium scale strings. Some short scale GHS strings might fit, but, I couldn't swear to it. Much as I like my basses like these? They can be kind of a pain, sometimes...

Yeah, I really do love this bass. But finding the right strings for it can be a chore. At the moment, this is my only bass so I'm dealing with it for now. But I mentioned in my forum introduction post that I'm looking to get a J style bass next. I'm assuming finding strings for that will be considerably easier haha.

 

[GIBrat51]

Yeah, I really do love this bass. But finding the right strings for it can be a chore. At the moment, this is my only bass so I'm dealing with it for now. But I mentioned in my forum introduction post that I'm looking to get a J style bass next. I'm assuming finding strings for that will be considerably easier haha.

If it's a 34" scale bass? Yes, it will be easier to find strings for it. Short scale violin basses - and other short scale basses - with trapeze tailpieces and separate bridges are... not as common as they used to be. So, while they have particular requirements that are outside today's "norm", they really aren't all that hard to get strings for - if you know what strings to look for. The main problems with them are;
1. Very few of them actually use today's "short scale" strings. With the exceptions I mentioned before - which are actually made for these basses - they need "medium scale" strings. I have one - a Gretsch Broadkaster - that actually uses "long scale" strings (it's a big bass). And, the selection of medium scale strings is... limited, compared to long and short scale strings. And,
2. Basses with trapeze tailpieces and separate bridges - especially floating bridges (like a Hofner) - can be very fussy about the strings they will work well with. I've sometimes gone through more strings than I care to think about, trying to find the strings that a particular bass like this will work acceptably with. Sometimes, it reaches a point where I don't really care what it sounds like; it becomes a matter of "will these strings tune up, and at least sorta intonate?" In the case of one of my violin basses, that took several years - and trying lots of different strings.
Some people think that these basses are more trouble than they're worth - and, maybe they are. And, they don't work very well with some of the music that's played today. But, I grew up watching and listening to people play basses like this, and I like the challenge they offer. Besides, I like to play the music they were used for, back in the day, and I think they're a hoot to play...
And, before I forget; welcome to Talk Bass!

 

[Supernaute]

Some people think that these basses are more trouble than they're worth - and, maybe they are. And, they don't work very well with some of the music that's played today. But, I grew up watching and listening to people play basses like this, and I like the challenge they offer. Besides, I like to play the music they were used for, back in the day, and I think they're a hoot to play...

Yeah man, same here. I picked this bass up used in a music store in the early 2000s I think. $350 for the bass and matching Epiphone case, which I still have. Pretty good deal I'd say, even for back then. As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted it. I'm a huge Beatles fan and I always loved McCartney bass lines. So I had to have it. It's definitely got a distinct sound. I want to get a J bass next just to have some variety. But this Viola bass has got THE TONE.