They were originally developed by Britain’s Rotosound company for The Who’s bassist John Entwistle who wanted clear, piano-like tones to complement his lead bass playing style. An example of this is the Hofner Violin ‘Beatle’ Bass. Yes really sorry about that. They offer the sound of ‘50s and early  ‘60s pop, rock, and country bass. What I think I’m asking is, if its 1 3/16″ from F# to G on my 4th string (E) but on my 1st string (G) from A to b- it measures 1 5/16″ from fret to fret do I need to compensate for the extra ahhhhh……..”finger play”? Fret height is another thing that may need looking at. I use the new-fangled alternative material strings with the Doozy … Hi and thanks for the message. Strings are commonly made of stainless steel, nickel, cobalt or copper. Thanks for your comment. Hello – I have an Epiphone Vintage Pro Thunderbird and that means a 1960s claw tailpiece and a very big headstock – so the issue is getting enough winds around the G-String peg. You’ll also want to let the stretch factor settle down before making any adjustments to your intonation. Here’s a small table showing how their lengths compare to standard ‘Scale Length’ measurements. Not all bass scale lengths are the same so they are generally categorised into 4 main groups; short scale, medium scale, long scale, and extra-long scale. Thanks for your time. Tacoma Guitars are factory strung with D'Addario light gauge round wound strings (.012 -.053). (there is also green silk windings on the ball ends for about 0.5″). Your Price $ 46.16 msrp:118.6,lowPrice:46.16. continued from Bass Strings p. 1. If you need any more help just send me an email at lee@stringsdirect.co.uk. This may include checking the action, intonation, neck relief, pickup height, and nut slots of … Ernie Ball Roundwounds have bright, clear tone making them a favorite with many bassists. The most versatile and universally appealing set for all playing styles. Hi, thanks for the informative piece. VAT no. Greetings, tone hounds! On those strings that have silk wraps at each end be sure that the silk does not make contact with either the bridge or nut. Thanks. I do hv still a Yamaha 414 and a Gregg Benett 34 in. Thanks. Hi guys Thanks. Another thing that could need adjusting is your saddle and/or nut height depending on where exactly your strings are catching the frets. The strings on your electric bass have a powerful influence on its tone and playability. Hi Sander, For example, if you like the feel of D'Addario medium gauge strings in standard tuning, simply copy the manufacturer's string tension data for each individual string of your new custom design. Long Scale (standard) – 34-36” Scale Length Essential Gear Buying Guides, Artist Interviews & More, How to Choose the Best Strings for Your Bass Guitar, About Thanks Question though: I have a Lakland 55-94 with a scale of 35″ with the option to be anchored through the body which I’m estimating adds another 1.5″ – 2″. Thanks in Advance, Steve. Image courtesy of Fender Musical Instruments Corp. Taperwound: Not to be confused with tapewound strings, taperwounds are available in all of the winding methods mentioned above. Hello, We hope this helps. If you plan to change string gauges, you may need to adjust the specs somewhat to compensate for the changes in string sizes. Hi, love the article! I’m looking the exact set of strings that came on a Kay K-162 bass I just bought. This will give you a precise measurement when shopping for strings. If you play rock, pop,  jazz, fusion, reggae, or especially funk, you’ll likely want more character and “zing” in your bass tone. Hey there, thanks for the question. Sometimes the string tensions are given on the string package, other times it is necessary to hunt for the data on the manufacturer's web site. I have an Ibanez Gio GSR 190 4 string bass. I am looking to put a set of flatwound strings on my acoustic bass. The E string needs to be 44″ how do I find strings sets to fit this bass? However if your strings are routed through the body of the bass, things get a bit more complicated. Very interesting article. Similarly, an otherwise light 5-string set may contain a heavier .130 gauge B string. However the grey just became a deeper shade of grey in my mind. Fits long scale basses with a string scale length of up to 36 1/4 inches. If you use a lower tuning (eg: Drop C), a longer scale length means you don’t need to buy super heavy gauge strings. There is a trade off between tone and playability when it comes to string gauge. Brite Wire Electric Bass Strings, Long Scale (5-String) $24.99. These kind of features often mean the ball end resides several inches from the saddles and consequently require longer sets. 2 Options Brite Wire Electric Bass Strings, Long Scale $19.99. This might sound crazy, but we do come across instances where some strings just won’t fit through the machineheads because they’re simply too thick. Hope that helps. Popular with rock, jazz, and metal players. If you could measure the bass as per the directions in the blog above, I’ll be able to tell you exactly. Will the Hofner violin bass strings fit? Don K. Thanks for your question. Tapewound: This least common type of bass string has a layer of nylon wrapped around the metal winding wire. purchase from Musician's Friend (electric or acoustic, New or Open Box) includes two years of The kind of sound you’re after and how frequently you play will largely dictate how often you should change your strings. I have an acoustic 5 string bass. Standard gauge is made for E-standard tuning, so dropping to D with a standard set of strings will leave you with a slightly-looser-than-normal lowest string. There is no simple formula that can tell you what strings will sound best to you ears and feel best to your fingers. Both are short scale bass. The effect on tone varies from one manufacturer to the next. How Often Should I Change My Bass Strings? I have an Ampeg Fretless Bass guitar ( model AUB-1 ). EXL165 is a hybrid gauge that combines EXL170 and EXL160 for ideal combination of tone of distinctive bright and powerful low end. If your playing involves running accross the fretboard, you might find higher gauges too difficult to play on. The diameter is expressed in inches. Dead strings can’t deliver the pop, punch, and harmonically rich overtones that “lively” strings produce. More, Popular If you have a bass where you cannot see the ball end i.e. My only recommendation would be to contact somebody like Newtone Strings in Derbyshire who may be able to make you a custom set to the specifications you need. It’s important that the silk on these sets is wound around the post as opposed to the windings themselves as they can be prone to breaking if the windings become separated and the core is exposed. The gauge or thickness of your strings makes a huge difference in tone and in playability. I have another 5 String bass that the strings will fit-otherwise I’ll have to donate them to a worthy 4 String Player. Well this distance will be the minimum length your strings need to be before any silk wrap or tapering should start. If I remember rightly, on this bass the top four strings are standard long scale and the low B is super long. Does it matter how far the frets are from one to another? GHS Precision Flats are available in short-, medium-, and long-scale sets, as well as light or medium gauges for 4-or 5-string bass. 45” in overall length. E 1 A 1 D 2 G 2 C 3; Bass, electric bass, 5-string bass Essentially a 4-string bass with one added high or low string. You’re welcome Sam, if you need anything else, please just give us a call or drop us a message again . Hi Dan, the latest deals. If you have really small hands or the bass is for a child under 12, you might consider a short scale bass. Warwick black labels strings are the only definite strings that fit. D’Addario’s sizing is typical of most string manufacturers: Up to 32" Short; 32” to 34” Medium; 34” to 36” Long; 36” to 38” Super Long; While it’s possible to cut bass strings to the correct length, you risk causing the wrap to … Excellent information and very well explained. The most common designations are: short, medium, long, and extra long or super long scales. Body. Hi Rafael, YA, 30″-31″ WOULD DO THE TRICK…..GUESS MY HUNT CONTINUES FOR A SET OF FENDER 4250’S THX ANYHOW, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Measuring with a digital caliper (but get slightly different readings on different parts of the string, so I’ve averaged multiple readings) are : When you install a new set of strings on your bass, you may be shocked by their brightness if it’s been a while since your last string change. What are my options? For example, a 10-gauge string is 0.010 inches. Aside from having the softest touch, they produce a dark and soft tone that is similar to that of an upright bass. I hope you can help me? ET If the silk does start before or on the nut, it is a big no, no (see the image below). There’s no one answer to this eternal question. Highly respected for their range of coated strings for standard six-string acoustic guitar, Elixir have brought their knowhow to acoustic bass. The bass string landscape can prove baffling at times, but we do hope that we have been able to explain the concept of scale length a bit more here. I have a handmade acoustic bass and it has a speaking length of 36” and a scale of 34 1/4”. The bass has a 31″ scale length – and the strings on it fit perfectly, with the neon green silk windings starting just after the nut. Look forward to hearing from you soon. This iconic bass is described as a 30” short scale bass (bridge saddles to nut). Did you get in touch with us any other way…di this get sorted? Will keep for future reference. However, because of its trapeze-style tailpiece, the strings are anchored approximately 3-4 inches further back from the saddles. This site uses cookies to provide and improve your shopping experience. Here’s a run-down on some of the most common gauge ranges based on manufacturers’ weight designations: Some manufacturers take a mix-and-match approach in creating their string sets. Guitar, bass (6-string) 6 strings 6 courses. However, where possible, we make every effort to include the speaking length of each set from the ball end to the start of the silk winding or taper (where some strings have no silk winding). The following setup procedures and specifications are for you Fender bass as equipped with the strings that come on the instrument as standard equipment from the factory. *For your information; amongst some other brands D’Addario and Rotosound also use speaking lengths to categorise their bass strings. Shop, Hollow & Semi-Hollow This measures 33.5″ from the ball end to the top nut. The Precision Flats E string definitely leans toward the clunky side of things, but if you’re trying to nail the classic ’60s tone, that’s part of the deal. This guide covers everything you would want to know about guitar scale length. So sorry for the delay in getting back to you on this. Orders placed before 5 p.m. I also have an Ibanez SR305E-MSS which is a 34″ neck. Thanks again Compare Compare Now site51274741606111454 1274034478047. Lee, IM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS DONUTHEAVEN, MY P-BASS JR MEASURES 28.6″ FROM TAILPIECE TO NUT…THEN APPROX ANOTHER 1″ DUE TO THE STRING THRU….IVE HEARD ONLY FENDER 4250 OR 4250M STRINGS ARE THE ONLY SIZE THAT FIT PROPERLY…THEY’VE BEEN DISCONTINUED FOR ALMOST 10YRS . Bass String Construction Methods I’ve taken a look at some images of the bass online and can see that the strings you would need would need to be fairly lengthy. To find this out, rather than simply measuring from the bridge to the nut, we insist players measure their current set of strings (if your bass has a set on there) from the ball end of the string to where it crosses the nut. Categories, More Ways to Roundwounds are popular with rock and funk bassists and have a ridged or knurled texture like the edge of a quarter. Scale length is the measurement from the bridge saddles (or ferrules on string-through basses) to the nut at the end of the fretboard. I’m after some flat wounds and am unsure of the size I need , can you suggest any please ? The shortest strings we supply are made by D’Addario and Jim Dunlop which measure 32″ from the ball end to the start of the silk winding. Spend £100 to get 10% off! There’s a crisp, lively tone from the 80/20 (copper/zinc) bronze strings – a tone that’ll be familiar to users of the company’s standard guitar sets. I’ve measured from the ball end to the nut. Long Scale – 36.5″ / 93cm (from the ball end to the start of the taper). Ideally i’d like to use the RS665LD strings if they can acomodate both guitars to save confusing things. Hey, Extra Long Scale – 36” plus. I had a epiphone viola and switched to Fender Bronco. A good place to start is with a medium set —the weight most commonly factory installed on new basses. If that length is 35″ then the long scale set will be fine. Alternate: E 1 A 1 D 2 G 2 B 2 E 3. It explains what scale length, why it s important, how to measure scale length, and FAQ. or higher) due to the increased string tension. You end up with higher tension on the low strings and lower tension on the higher strings. Some bassists prefer to buy individual strings in gauges that match their own preferences rather than being limited to those gauges found in string sets. There's an added dimension to choosing bass strings, because you'll need to match the string length to your instrument's scale (i.e. Have an account? (We’ll talk about factors such as string composition that also contribute to tone and brightness shortly.) These two terms are NOT interchangeable and refer to two different things; here at Strings Direct we prefer to use speaking lengths and we’ll explain why a bit later on. Thank you, Thanks Jonathan. If you wanted to thread the strings through the body, it may be safer to opt for the extra long scale set. So sorry for the delay in replying to this. This makes the Scale Length 35.25”. GHS Precision Flatwounds combine the smooth playability of their polished stainless wrap with deep, percussive tone. I have a schecter Stilletto Stealth 5 string which is telling me its 35″ neck. Bass String Gauges. There's quite a range of scales – from extra-long six-string basses (35"), through Fender's famous Precision and Jazz models (34"), right down to Gibson's short-scale 30" SG models. The heavier a gauge the lower the tone it is capable of producing. Thanks, Home > Bass Guitar Strings > Flatwound Bass Guitar Strings > La Bella Flat Wound > Danelectro LAB_760FD La Bella Electric Bass Guitar Danelectro .042 - .079, 760FD Hi there, thanks for the question. 10s. You may have heard scale length referred to as “speaking length” at some point. In fact, in D-standard, the twelve gauge set feels much like a ten-gauge tension on a standard-tuned guitar. Reveals the secrets of scale and speaking lengths. There’s no hard rule for choosing the right gauge. The shortest strings we supply are 32″ from the ball end to the start of the silk winding. Does that make sense? Five- and six-string basses often have 35” or longer scales. my strings are too close to my frets and the clatter when I try to play, can you tell me what is wrong with it? String gauges are usually referred to by the gauge of their lightest string: 0.009 strings (also called 9 strings or “nines”) have a top string that is 0.009 inches across in diameter, while 0.011 strings (usually referred to as 11 strings or “elevens”) incorporate a top string that’s 0.011 inches in diameter. It’s particularly important to purchase taperwound strings that match your scale length so the tapered portion of the string falls in the correct place in relation to your bridge. Sounds like the string needs to be 30″ (ball end to start of silk) in order to reach and clear the nut. Most basses such as Fender’s Precision and Jazz Bass have a 34” scale—considered a long scale. Have a measure first though just to be sure. Listen to old Motown and Stax recordings and you’ll hear that sound: a deep thud with little or no resonance. Choice of tuning depends whether the added string is low or high. If you’re looking for that relatively dead-sounding “thunk,” a set of pure nickel strings will give you that as we discuss later. Was I wrong in that belief? Also if you have any suggestions for topics you’d like us to blog about, let us know and we’ll see what we can do. I have Rotosound 77s on my 4 string acoustic. Does anyone make strings to these specs? Lee. Strangely enough, another reader asked a similar question a few days ago. What other options are there? Choosing the Right Scale Length It’s sort of like cleaning your windshield after a lot of grunge has accumulated. Below we’ve listed these 4 scale lengths along with some corresponding measurements: Short Scale – 30-32” Scale length Scale? Also, are there preferred strings for an acoustic over Electric? The strings themselves measure 32 1/4″ from the ball end to the start of the silk and La Bella always recommend ensuring the silk winding should be wrapped around the tuning post. That being said, where can I purchase one .125 B string? Wherever you are on your artistic journey, there’s a groundbreaking string ready to clear a path towards elevating your performance. Sounds like you’ve just got a standard ‘Long Scale’ bass there. For instance, some tailpieces sit further back from the saddles than others, whilst some basses need to be strung through the back of the body. As I see the shortest strings listed here are the 32″ ones Also there’s a Lot mote tension with the flats versus the acoustic strings. Call or Chat for expert advice and to hear LONG SCALE TOO LONG.short scale too short.. Rotosounds. Most electric bass strings have an outer wrap around a steel core wire. Thicker strings provide more bass, thinner strings produce more treble. Under the bass string section of our website, we categorise our strings into ‘short scale sets’, ‘medium scale sets’ and so on. I am thinking of buying an Ibanez 2018 GSRM20B Short Scale Bass Guitar – Walnut Flat.