It was recommended to me that I get GHS Pressurewound Bronze strings for my acoustic bass guitar, and I'm looking into it. I have a short scale ABG, and it looks like the Pressurewound Bronze strings only come in one length. The package says "37.25 Wind". Is that the string length? In any case, if I buy these strings I will have to clip the ends off, since I don't think there is room to wind the whole strings onto the pegs. I have heard that clipping a string can ruin the integrity of the winding though. Is this true? Is it true only if you aren't careful? Is it true only for some string types?
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When is it ok to clip a long bass string
- Thread starter SuperSloMo
- Start date
I think all you need to do is bend the string over some pliers to 90 degrees ( to keep the wind from unwinding and the core from slipping BEFORE you cut the string to the correct length to fit the bent angle in the hole in the tuning machine. Tons of videos on YouTube/ same as cutting, wrapping, winding other types of strings.
Please watch them...I’m tired and nearly totally inarticulate.
Please watch them...I’m tired and nearly totally inarticulate.
"Winding length" refer to the measurement from the ball end to the first taper at the tuner end where the string gets thinner. Ideally, you would only want the tapered part to wrap around the tuner post. The problem with using a "long scale" string on a "short scale" bass is you end up having to cut into the main body of the string, which can cause issues if you're not careful.
Clipping the string shorter to fit properly is okay as long as only the thinner end is cut, leaving the main body of the string intact. But in your case, 37.25" winding length would mean it's over 5" longer than the ideal winding length for your bass, which, according to what was discussed in your other thread, is 32".
First things first, the potential problem is only with the low E: the rest of the strings, including the A, are thin enough not to present a breaking risk if wound full-gauge on their tuning post.
You could unravel part of the E string and not have the rest of the wrap come undone if you secure it with a zip tie, a piece of heat-shrink tubing or some solder applied, at a spot past the nut.
Or you can try and wind the string full-diameter on the post like the other strings: a .092" is not far north of what I consider thin enough, as described above, especially at short scale (less tension, less risk of breakage).
For maximum peace of mind, you could look for a piece of metal tubing that's almost as long as the (inside of the) bass body is deep; thread the low E string through a washer (wider than the tube opening) and through the tube, and have the ball-end sit against the washer; insert the whole shebang through the soundhole, and have the tuner-end of the string emerge through the bridge pin hole; insert the pin as usual (it will only be there for visuals), provided the metal tube chosen is wide enough for the pin to fit inside it (but doesn't get in the way of the A string pin); wind the string at the headstock, and done: the extra length of string will be tucked out of sight and the string will (hopefully, if lengths are right) taper at the correct spot i.e. between nut and post.
Last edited:
- Sep 9, 2007
- 5,309
- 4,977
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Eventide, GHS Strings, G&L Guitars, NS Design, Tsunami Cables
As the GHS rep (and the guy that designed those), I cannot officially endorse putting a set of the 4L-RBB on a short scale bass, as the E string is definitely gonna wrap the full diameter around your tuning post which can cause it to break prematurely.
That said, it's got a smaller core and only two wraps (unlike most E strings), so if you WERE to try it, it would stand the best chance of success.
I definitely wouldn't try to unwrap it unless you know what you're doing (and even then, I still don't recommend it). I've ripped apart enough single strings to know that the final cover is usually anchored by the end, and when you clip that to make the string shorter...
That said, it's got a smaller core and only two wraps (unlike most E strings), so if you WERE to try it, it would stand the best chance of success.
I definitely wouldn't try to unwrap it unless you know what you're doing (and even then, I still don't recommend it). I've ripped apart enough single strings to know that the final cover is usually anchored by the end, and when you clip that to make the string shorter...
