Author Topic: Medium scale 5 strings (Read 170 times)

juggernaught · « **on:** August 28, 2007, 07:33:26 PM »

Hi there. I'm the happy new owner of a 1990 medium scale Distillate 5 (thanks Spencer and Ken!). I'm so happy, anyways I'm wholly new to the medium scale experience, but have found that it is nearly impossible to find sets of 5 medium scale strings. What do y'all medium scale 5 owners do?

bsee · « **Reply #1 on:** August 28, 2007, 07:41:29 PM »

I used regular long scale rounds and coated strings. The B string is the tough one in that it gets onto the peg. If the G gets on the peg, it doesn't matter because it's flexible enough not to unwind. I wouldn't try this on flats as they are more likely to break than rounds seem to be. One benefit is that the Alembic bridge/tailpiece tends to take up a little more string than the standard Fender combo bridge.

As far as true medium scale strings, there are a few companies out there that make them. You'd probably have to special order your B strings, though. D'Addario, LaBella and TI all make shorter scale strings. You need to measure the length of the strings from the ball to the nut and the shortest string from the ball to the winding post. With that information, you should be able to get correct fitting information from the manufacturers.

-bob

juggernaught · « **Reply #2 on:** August 28, 2007, 10:55:41 PM »

That's pretty useful info. I thought the tension on long scale strings would mess up the scale on a medium scale instrument, ie the octave 12 fret would be off.
Also, is tension = gauge? Could I pick up a set of medium gauge strings and add an extra string at the appropriate gauge to be the B? For instance, if I picked up a set of rotosound swing mediums (.40-.90) what gauge string would I need for the B?

bsee · « **Reply #3 on:** August 28, 2007, 11:32:05 PM »

40-90 is a bit light for a medium scale bass, but you'll have to try that for yourself. Typical B strings are in the 120-130 range. You might be able to go as light as 115 to match up with the 40-90 set, but I think your tension will be pretty low.

Tension is based on mass and length. The same string tuned to an E at 34 has to be a bit looser to find E at 32. It would be pretty close to the same tension as Eb at 34. Mass is generally proportional to gauge, but only within a brand/type of string. For example, a GHS Boomer 80 will have less mass than a Boomer 85, but another brand's 85 could be heavier or lighter.

kmh364 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 29, 2007, 06:44:03 AM »

I think Flax uses T-I Flats on his MS 5-strings...do a search for his posts...unless he chimes in first. Where are you, Jeff? LOL!

juggernaught · « **Reply #5 on:** August 29, 2007, 09:51:46 AM »

Yeh, both rotosound jazz and swing medium scale strings go from .4-.9. I'm not sure whether that would be too loose, but I have so little experience in this matter.

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** August 29, 2007, 06:34:26 PM »

Congrats!!

juggernaught · « **Reply #7 on:** August 29, 2007, 07:27:26 PM »

Thanks Dave, it may not be any Series bass, but I still feel like I can brag about it

. Anyways, Bob: if the tension is generally less on a medium with the same string same note than a long scale, why do medium scale strings tend to be sold at lower gauges?

bsee · « **Reply #8 on:** August 29, 2007, 08:50:02 PM »

They don't as far as I can tell. Alembic will set up a new long scale bass with 40-100 or 45-105 strings, but they only have the 45-105 in short scale. What other companies do is their business. There generally aren't as many gauge choices in medium or short scale as compared to long, so it's hard to say for sure. Maybe people that play shorter basses have a historical preference for skinny strings?

If you do a search, you may find a lengthy discussion or two on string tension vs scale. In short, a 34 scale bass has the first fret at about 32 from the bridge. If you tune your 34 bass down a half step, you'll have an ~32 E string if you play at the first fret. In order to do this, you loosened the string from the 34 E string tuning. If you have a 34 bass, tune it down a half step and you'll get an idea of what those strings would feel like on a medium scale bass.

By the way, I had been chatting with Spencer about that bass. It's a beauty and I'm glad it went to a good home. I felt badly that he had to sell and that I couldn't justify buying it.

juggernaught · « **Reply #9 on:** August 29, 2007, 09:52:37 PM »

So in general, long scale (.045-.130) strings will work, huh. Well I have quite a few of those laying around so I'll try them. The .130 may be a problem, it's not clear to be how, but I guess I'll find out.

Yeh, he seemed a bit regretful, for it is truly beautiful. However, I think he's getting something else that he wants. I drove from abq to denver in one day to get it, and it was well worth it. The second long drive I've done Alembic!

bsee · « **Reply #10 on:** August 29, 2007, 10:09:31 PM »

You just need to be careful winding the strings on the pegs. If the large wraps go over the peg, there is a chance that the core will break.