Author Topic: Strings for short scale (Read 291 times)

jl_mitchell · « **on:** October 14, 2003, 01:01:05 AM »

Hello all,

I was fortunate to acquire a Series II short scale bass this summer. My query is what brands and guages of strings are other Alembic short-scale players using? Any suggestions?

For example, has anyone had any experience using the Thomastik Infeld JR324 short scale 32 medium set (roundwound)? Would this set actually fit the 30.75

I contacted Rotosound and they only offer one set that would fit this bass RS66M with guages of 40 60 75 90.

I was looking for something with guages like 40 60 80 100 in nickel roundwound but maybe there is nothing like this on the market that would fit a 30.75

Thanks,

James

count · « **Reply #1 on:** October 14, 2003, 05:12:31 AM »

I'll bet that Alembic makes a nice set for you.. They surely make anything else.
I'v tried many different sets og string, but I've come to that Alembic ones undoubtably are the best, and in Norway, also one of the cheapest!

jl_mitchell · « **Reply #2 on:** October 14, 2003, 05:53:26 AM »

Alembic short scale strings are what I am playing now. Unfortunately, they only make one set for short scale and I wanted to go slightly lighter.

James

dela217 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 14, 2003, 11:32:54 AM »

Since I play short scale basses, I have had the same problems. For a nickel roundwound, I suggest D.R. Sunbeams. They are very flexible, and also come in the gauge you are looking for. Also there are no silk wrappings on the ends to look funny. Just trim the string as you need, and be careful putting it on. Works great, and I have not messed one up yet.

The T.I strings you are talking about will definately fit a short scale bass. I know that some string sets say short, but are actually too short for an Alembic. The TI's are long enough so that the silk wrappings do not come in contact with the nut on the headstock.

By the way I think the 40-60-80-100 gauge is perfect for an Alembic short scale bass. Anything thicker and sometimes it is tough to properly intonate the E string.

Michael

dnburgess · « **Reply #4 on:** October 14, 2003, 03:44:47 PM »

Another vote here for Alembic short scale strings.
They seem to age very nicely too. (Tonally speaking.)

La Bella have a heavy piccolo set which is .030 to .080 - don't know how that would go with regular tuning.

Also a friend of Paul Lindemans gave me a great tip regarding short scale piccolo strings - use guitar strings! They are just long enough for Alembic short scale.

If GHS Boomers and Bass Boomers were tonally similar, you might be able to put together a set of single strings to create the perfect set of gauges for yourself.

rami · « **Reply #5 on:** October 14, 2003, 09:01:38 PM »

My only Short Scale Alembic is a Fretless Series I. Try finding strings for that! I have a particular fondness for D'Addario Chromes - so I just put on a regular long scale set (Light Guage). I cut them to length (so they don't wrap ten times around the string posts), and there's still some silk left before the string post. I think they're the best flats ever - and that's the long and short of it.

Rami

jazzyvee · « **Reply #6 on:** October 15, 2003, 05:25:30 AM »

I decided to stick to Alembic strings which I ordered over the net and have no problems at all with the sound.

I did try the pressure wound Rotosounds which were recommended by someone here, when my original set broke, but took them off as they feel terrible under my fingers and made to much finger noise. They have been duly relegated to the Musicman Sterling ... he he heee

jazzyvee · « **Reply #7 on:** October 15, 2003, 06:04:41 AM »

I decided to stick to Alembic strings which I ordered over the net and have no problems at all with the sound.

I did try the pressure wound Rotosounds which were recommended by someone here, when my original set broke, but took them off as they feel terrible under my fingers and made to much finger noise. They have been duly relegated to the Musicman Sterling ... he he heee

dela217 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 15, 2003, 05:26:05 PM »

Rami - I am also with you on the Chromes. I like them a lot too. After living with the TI's for a while, it is nice to go back to the D'Addario Chromes. I sometimes put them on my Alembic series 2 with the graphite neck. The flats really sing on that one.

dnburgess · « **Reply #9 on:** October 15, 2003, 05:58:17 PM »

I just finshed restringing my short scale S1 with guitar strings & piccolo tuning. One major problem - the ball on the E string was not big enough to be held by the tail piece of the S1. So I used my old G string as the piccolo E string.

It sounds great - escpecially with a little bit of chorus. I've just got to brush up on my chord fingering.

jl_mitchell · « **Reply #10 on:** October 16, 2003, 01:00:20 AM »

Hello all,

Thank you for your input. The piccolo bass suggestions are interesting but I was really just wanting suggestions on conventional roundwound sets (preferably nickel) that would fit the 30.75.

I've thought about cutting off a long-scale set but I thought that this made the strings liable to breakage?

Thus far,, I am considering the Thomastik Infeld roundwound 32 scale set or one of two medium scale sets made by D'Addario.

Does anyone know the Rotosound set and guages that Stanley Clarke plays?

Thanks again,

James

oggydoggy · « **Reply #11 on:** October 16, 2003, 04:05:33 PM »

James,
I have been playing alembic short scale for a while and I also would recomend the DR strings. They last practically forever and I have never broke one and I play very agessively. (be sure to follow the instructions in the box and crimp them before cutting)
best wishes
-ED

rami · « **Reply #12 on:** October 19, 2003, 02:54:27 PM »

I don't quite understand the geometry and design that go into the design of an Alembic Bass (that's their secret), but they ALWAYS have great string tension. Even on my short scale Series I. D'Addario strings have always been a little short on Alembic long scale basses. When I fit them to my short scale, I can still trim them at the core (before the string winding), and there's still some of the silk wrapping left before the string post.
They work great! (I haven't had any breakage yet)

Rami

jl_mitchell · « **Reply #13 on:** October 20, 2003, 12:52:12 AM »

Hi Rami,

Yes, I totally agree about the great string tension on Alembic short scale basses.

I just wanted to verify, are your D'Addario strings a Medium scale set or a Long scale set that you cut back?

Thanks,

James

rami · « **Reply #14 on:** October 20, 2003, 03:46:10 AM »

Hi James,

I just use regular D'Addario Chromes long scale. On my long scale Alembics, the silk just barely clears the nut. On the E string it doesn't. So, being a little short, they work great on short scale.

Rami