Medium Scale Questions

[BIX]

I am sure this has been posted many times in the past, and I did do a search, but I still need your opinions/help. Sorry if this is a bit redundant.

First, I have never owned a medium-scale bass before, but am looking to pick up a Spoiler.

[1] For those of you using medium-scale (32") Alembics, I read on the forums that you can use standard long-scale strings and just cut them down, but, do you find the need to use slightly heavier gauge strings to keep the string tight/defined?

[2] This applies to the first question, but do any of you sometimes use a drop-D tuning on your medium-scale basses and find the E-string too floppy/muddy?

[3] What do you find or suggest is a good solid gauge for a medium-scale Alembic. I use .40,.60,.80,.100 on my long-scale basses - seems like it might be too light for a medium scale.

Any and all thoughts are welcomed. Thanks!

[edwardofhuncote]

Welcome BIX,

All of my Alembics are medium-scale... regular long-scale strings are fine on a medium-scale Alembic. The afterlength of the strings (between the tailpiece and bridge) makes up the difference.

I can't advise you on de-tuning, but there are quite a few Spoilers with aftermarket D-tuners installed. I know of one guy here that tunes one of his Spoilers all the way down to A-D-G-C, the A being a full step below a standard low B. You may have to play around with some alternate string gauges, but it's do-able. 

[BIX]

Many Thanks for the input.

Anyone else - feel free to chime in as well... It's MUCH appreciated.

[JimmyJ]

From the nut to the first fret on a 34" scale is almost 2" so tuning your bass down a half-step would give you an idea of how floppy your current string gauges would feel.  (I suppose you could also put a capo on that 1st fret.  Ha!)  The material and build of the string also effects the feel so it may take some experimenting but I'm sure you'll find a great combination.
Jimmy J

[garth4664]

Hello Bix, probably depends on your playing style but I have no tension issues using 40 60 80 100 on my medium scale. I actually use similar gauges on my long scale basses too. Perhaps it’s because I tend to pluck mostly near the bridge. Drop d likewise, seems to work just fine and a 32 inch scale always makes me feel like I can really rip into a groove (more than a long scale bass). I say go for it with your favourite stings first then experiment from there.

[BIX]

Hello Bix, probably depends on your playing style but I have no tension issues using 40 60 80 100 on my medium scale. I actually use similar gauges on my long scale basses too. Perhaps it’s because I tend to pluck mostly near the bridge. Drop d likewise, seems to work just fine and a 32 inch scale always makes me feel like I can really rip into a groove (more than a long scale bass). I say go for it with your favourite stings first then experiment from there.

Many thanks for the input. (currently having the overwhelming desire to "rip into a groove"  )

Bix

[serialnumber12]

 mines is a medium scale so i stick with mediums strings on #12... longs will break on you.

[BIX]

mines is a medium scale so i stick with mediums strings on #12... longs will break on you.

Alembic strings up their medium scale basses and ships 'em with long scale strings. Mica mentioned this in a thread I found while searching. Like an above poster said, the extra length is taken up by the distance from the anchor to the saddle. Maybe #12 has a somewhat different distance in there. That's quite the vintage Alembic you got there!

[hieronymous]

I use long scale strings on my short-scale Stanley Clarke. String gauge is only one aspect of a string - construction materials, flat vs. round, different cores - they can all contribute to the tension, flexibility, feel, etc. It's expensive, but unfortunately I think you will need to experiment. It's part of the fun though!

[StephenR]

I have always used long scale strings on my 32" scale Series bass. Like Harry mentions, strings are something you have to experiment with until you find ones that work for your bass and playing style. Strings you like on one bass may not feel right on a different one.

[Exploiter007]

I'm using .45 - .105s on my medium scale exploiter / distillate (as well as my long scale Mike Lull PJ4).

For me, there isn't a dramatic difference in string tension between the Alembic and the P bass.  Like next to nothing. 

What I did find very noticeable was how much easier and faster the Alembic is to play.  A totally different animal.  The P bass feels much bigger and clumsier.   The 32 inch scale Alembic is much more comfortable. 

You can order medium scale bass strings online.  D'Addario sells medium scale bass string sets on Amazon and the usual online string suspects, and they also sell individual medium scale bass strings if you want to create your own set.  I just ordered some and will give them a whirl.  My string of choice is DR lo-rider nickels, but alas they don't sell them in medium scale. 

[hieronymous]

You can order medium scale bass strings online.  D'Addario sells medium scale bass string sets on Amazon and the usual online string suspects, and they also sell individual medium scale bass strings if you want to create your own set.  I just ordered some and will give them a whirl.  My string of choice is DR lo-rider nickels, but alas they don't sell them in medium scale. 

I really think that long scale DR Lo-Riders should work fine on a medium scale Alembic. I use DR nickel Lo-Riders on my Rickenbacker 4001 and they are great strings! Slightly higher tension than Hi-Beams (it's actually causing some of the dreaded "tail-lift" on my Ric!), so might be good choice for a medium scale instrument if you want more tension.

Speaking of tension, my Stanley Clarke 5-string like higher tension so I have LaBella nickel round wounds on it - the long scale set works fine for the EADG, but ordered a custom length B string - I hope it fits, I had to buy 10!

[pauldo]

My Distillate (med-scale?) takes long scale strings (~ .045-.100") and I have a HipShot D-Tuner which has wandered to a low C, but usually used as a D. 
The string tension feels softer but you quickly learn the right amount of tug on it to get the best sound.

Getting a Spoiler is a wise move although you will most likely experience GAS after owning it for awhile.