Short Scale Bass Strings

penelope tree · Post by **penelope tree** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 7:59 pm

This probably isn't destined to be an enormously exciting thread but I'm about to buy a Squier Jaguar short scale bass and I've noticed that there are strings available that are specifically intended for short scale bass guitars. Do I need to get short scale strings? If so, what type would you recommend? They seem to be a lot more expensive than guitar strings!

OddKnowledge · Post by **OddKnowledge** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 8:37 pm

i just got a Squier Bronco a few months ago. i put d'addario chromes flat wounds 45 - 100 on it. I dig those so far.

penelope tree · Post by **penelope tree** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 8:55 pm

OddKnowledge wrote:i just got a Squier Bronco a few months ago. i put d'addario chromes flat wounds 45 - 100 on it. I dig those so far.

Something like this:

http://www.thomann.de/gb/daddario_exl170s.htm

?

OddKnowledge · Post by **OddKnowledge** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 9:05 pm

the ones that i got are actually http://www.thomann.de/gb/daddario_ecb81 ... _scale.htm
because i play flat wounds, but the ones you linked are cheaper. if round wounds are your thing, go for it!

oscillateur · Post by **oscillateur** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 9:22 pm

Yours is a Jaguar so short scale bass strings would be good.
For a Mustang though (or any other short scale with the strings passing through the body), you need medium scale strings even though the bass is short scale (my medium scale Chromes fit perfectly). I'm glad I researched that before buying flatwounds for mine because these strings are indeed quite expensive...

penelope tree · Post by **penelope tree** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 10:58 pm

OddKnowledge wrote:the ones that i got are actually http://www.thomann.de/gb/daddario_ecb81 ... _scale.htm
because i play flat wounds, but the ones you linked are cheaper. if round wounds are your thing, go for it!

I've never played bass before so I don't really have a 'thing' yet! Do flatwounds have a more subtle sound? How often do bassists tend to change strings?

oscillateur · Post by **oscillateur** » Thu Oct 15, 2015 2:48 am

Flatwounds can be kept forever. Sound and feel are different though, might not be for everybody.

rfurtkamp · Post by **rfurtkamp** » Thu Oct 15, 2015 3:26 am

Going to throw out the no cost option: play the ones on there. If you like them, buy what's on them from the manufacturer!

If not, then back to this drawing board in a few months.

I have one bass that's had the same set of strings on it since '98 or so - stainless flats. Another has had junky 'whatever I could find' roundwounds that are at least 20 years old. My P bass has OEM ones that are a few years old (was a NOS bass in storage somewhere), with about half a year of playing on 'em. My VI has had the same set of strings since I got it three years ago, etc.

D.o.S. · Post by **D.o.S.** » Thu Oct 15, 2015 10:55 am

Rotosound also makes short scale rounds.

DarkAxel · Post by **DarkAxel** » Thu Oct 15, 2015 11:36 am

I made a transition to flats recently

Flats do sound more subtle if you want, but they can also sound pretty aggressive if you know how to make them sound like that (right picking technique and shit)
But the aggression is centered in a different spot, frequency-wise. If aggressive tone is in treble for you, you'd be disappointed, but if it's in the punchy and driving mids, they can definitely do that. I changed my Rotos for Fender recently after realizing I had a shitton of deadspots across the fretboard and guess what... it was the strings for some reason. The fenders are awesome, relatively cheap and I think they're quite good as a transition, being steel, so a bit brighter.

The main thing for me why I love flats is the dynamic range. I could never go from totally dubby to punchy just by changing the way I play on rounds, they always have that treble scratch/zing that I couldn't get rid of. With flats, I can go between light and hard playing for bajillion different tones and still maintain similar weigh of the tone and have some consistency.

They also work awesome with fuzz and other dirt pedals due to strong mid presence and good bass fundaments.

They also help me find my voice as a bass player because they're incredibly comfy to play and allow you to do slippery, slidy shit all night.. Also great for playing in a band since you're out of the trebly range of guitars so they get through better. Confirmed in two bands I played in - after I started playing flats, everything started sound better

idk a bit of raving

just food for thoughts

Go Fenders if you want cheap to try out for a start. I actually love their rounds as well

penelope tree · Post by **penelope tree** » Thu Oct 15, 2015 2:25 pm

rfurtkamp wrote:Going to throw out the no cost option: play the ones on there. If you like them, buy what's on them from the manufacturer!

If not, then back to this drawing board in a few months.

I have one bass that's had the same set of strings on it since '98 or so - stainless flats. Another has had junky 'whatever I could find' roundwounds that are at least 20 years old. My P bass has OEM ones that are a few years old (was a NOS bass in storage somewhere), with about half a year of playing on 'em. My VI has had the same set of strings since I got it three years ago, etc.

Yeah, I was planning to leave them on for awhile but I think I'll get another set too.

Thanks for all the advice everyone!

ilovefuzz.com

Short Scale Bass Strings

Short Scale Bass Strings

Re: Short Scale Bass Strings

Re: Short Scale Bass Strings

Re: Short Scale Bass Strings

Re: Short Scale Bass Strings

Re: Short Scale Bass Strings

Re: Short Scale Bass Strings

Re: Short Scale Bass Strings

Re: Short Scale Bass Strings

Re: Short Scale Bass Strings

Re: Short Scale Bass Strings