Stan string guages

[pclifton2004]

Anyone happen to know if Stanley Clarke was using 30-90 guage Rotosounds even when he had his short scale basses tuned E_A_D_G? So for example, on School Days album, etc? I only ask because of the ongoing debate about string buzz/tension on short scale necks, plus it is something I have often wondered.

[keith_h]

I'm not sure about the string gauges but Stanley uses a much thinner neck than the standard classic neck and a single truss rod. To the best of my knowledge all of the initial setup is done with his strings.    
 
As far as the string buzz debates go it isn't limited to short scales. As I recall more of the complaints have been with long scale basses. What the issue is here is the instrument was setup for    a particular string gauge and then the owner replaces them with something much lighter. The way to avoid this is to send the strings you will be using to Alembic and let them do the setup with them. If the instrument is used you can always have a competent luthier do a heat bend to add more relief to the neck.  
 
Keith

[mica]

The string gauges that Stan specified on his last personal bass with standard tuning were .030 .040 .065 .080
 
His necks are carved extremely thin, so the strings will pull more forward bow into the neck, but the tradeoff is that a less massive neck will move more. He's got a full time tech, so his basses are always in ready to play condition.  
 
I don't think there is an ongoing debate about shortscale buzz. The fact is that some setups require more maintenance than others, regardless of scale length, so a very slight movement of the neck will be noticed. It's also a fact that many players that seek extremely low action do not have a playing style that acknowledges it. This is just something I've personally witnessed many times in my over 30 years of watching people play Alembic basses.
 
If we are presented with a bass (or guitar) that is posing a setup problem for customer, we are able to adjust the instrument to play properly. It might require a heat bend. If the instrument is old and well played, it may require a fret mill or refretting. In rare cases, there is a problem with the neck itself, and in those rare instances, we replace the neck. Sometimes, it's just simple adjustments and a lesson to help understand how each adjustment impacts the setup.