Heavy Gauge SS Bass strings?

neonblack · Post by **neonblack** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 3:17 pm

I switched to short scale a while back cause I'm a short guy but I miss having heavy strings. I can only find light or mediums and I tried putting full scale strings on but there was way too much string. I tried cutting it down but then the string was too fat to fit in the peg.

Does anyone make heavy gauge ss strings? I've gotten used to medium but I miss having some big strings. Is it a tension issue? Would heavy gauge be too floppy on a short scale?

skullservant · Post by **skullservant** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 3:19 pm

Try Circle K

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 6:07 pm

Good luck.

For some reason, string manufacturers don't seem to understand short scale basses. They sell all these tiny gauges as if there is some miracle setup technique that can make them work. Repeat after me: the shorter the scale, the thicker the string. Simple physics.

Anyway, my wife plays a P Bass Jr which, aside from the stupid name, is a quality short scale bass with a 28.59" scale. She also has a 30" scale Jaguar bass. We started with some light gauge strings from a few different manufacturers, and they were all terrible. The Rotosounds were particularly bad. They wrap so much silk on the ball end of their strings that it can extend past the saddle, meaning no actual metal-to-metal contact. Terrible.

We settled for D'Adarrio EXL160S. They call them a medium set. 050-070-085-105. They are about as heavy as she can handle, but I would like for her to try something heavier. Both of her basses feel like playing rubber bands to me.

The EXL160S at least have enough tension to maintain a solid setup. The thicker strings were so loose that any change in weather just wrecked the setup. The EXL160S also have enough tension to not get pulled into an unnatural warble by the pickups. And, they are thick enough that you can fret a note comfortably without pressing too hard and pulling the note sharp.

If you find a heavier set, please let me know!

Mike

Holy Schnikes · Post by **Holy Schnikes** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 7:10 pm

LaBella has the Bass VI strings (30" scale) with a huge selection of gauges but the heaviest is either a 115 or 120. Also, they use thin ends on the heaviest strings as the VI has guitar tuning pegs but they also have short scale bass strings that are very similar. Shoot them an email and see if they could make you a custom set. Their prices and delivery time are both spectacular. I just ordered their medium SS set 105-85-65-45 and it's great but I'm only tuned down 1/2 step on a 30" scale bass.

Circle K is another good option but I have no experience with them.

Mudfuzz · Post by **Mudfuzz** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 9:15 pm

skullservant wrote:Try Circle K

Yup their .174 F# is a pretty bad ass string

kbit · Post by **kbit** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 9:17 am

Ive used those LaBellas too and I dig em. I think I got their 115 "E" string and it works well for tuning to D, but if you wanna go lower than D I'd try their 120.

kbit · Post by **kbit** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 10:49 am

Also I dont think Circle K offers short scale strings.

aen · Post by **aen** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 11:27 am

La Bella! Order a custom set of "bass VI" strings, they shoudl fit without any issue. I've always used "normal" scale strings on my mustang basses, but if it's a pain, don't deal with it! The Labella sets are pretty amazingly affordable, like, the same price as a pack of regualr bass strings at the shop.

neonblack · Post by **neonblack** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 12:15 pm

Thanks for the suggestions guys! I'll try that bass vi set when I get my jag finished up. Been wanting to mess with lower tunings lately.

kbit · Post by **kbit** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 10:14 pm

Yeah you can order the bass vi strings and only get four. Custom gauges for under $30 shipped is awesome.

Holy Schnikes · Post by **Holy Schnikes** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 10:49 pm

Wanted to mention this real quick. Not sure what bass the OP has but both my Bass VI and new Fender Rascal (both 30" short scale) actually require medium scale strings which have a wider variety of options. Measurements from E string ball end to E string tuning peg on both is 35" which puts them into medium scale range. Short scale would be 32". Just keep in mind that trem/stop piece can really affect required string length.

Mudfuzz · Post by **Mudfuzz** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 11:41 pm

Yeah… I goes the only real answer is to get a big-ass drill bit and some different tuners

greyscales · Post by **greyscales** » Thu Oct 02, 2014 5:04 pm

Mike wrote: We settled for D'Adarrio EXL160S. They call them a medium set. 050-070-085-105.

Just got a set of these for my Musicmaster bass. My band tunes a half-step down, so there's already a bit of tension lost. Add in lighter strings and a short scale, and it's flop city.
So far it seems like the 50-105 is better. It's more or less equivalent to 45-100 in standard. Got a gig tonight, so I can give an even better review tomorrow.

All this said, I would love to bump it up to at least 55-110 for some extra tension. Even considering going to 120 for my Mustang bass with rounds.

skullservant · Post by **skullservant** » Thu Oct 02, 2014 5:10 pm

Ordered Circle K strings on SUNDAY, and got them in the mail today. That is FAST.

Timm Grimm · Post by **Timm Grimm** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 9:43 am

skullservant wrote:Ordered Circle K strings on SUNDAY, and got them in the mail today. That is FAST.

How do you like the circle k's?

ilovefuzz.com

Heavy Gauge SS Bass strings?

Heavy Gauge SS Bass strings?

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