To choose the right string gauges for your axe, you’ll need to take all these factors and more into account. If you send an email to support@stringjoy.com somebody will really work with you to help you dial in exactly what your particular guitar needs on it in order to sound right at a given scale length and a given tuning. I have recommended them to my other bass and guitar playing friends. Now, what if you’re using a different tuning on top of also using a different scale length on a given guitar? Your email address will not be published. Do you prefer to use the same gauge string on all of your different scale length guitars, or do you prefer to balance them out a little bit with different gauges of strings on each one? 98. EXL170S is D'Addario's best-selling bass guitar set optimized for short scale basses. .040-.100 Short Scale Electric Bass Guitar Strings, Nickel-wound, Super Slinky $19.98. Jim Dunlop Nickel Wound, Short Scale.045.105, 4 Set Bass Guitar Strings (DBN45105S) I have recommended them to my other bass and guitar playing friends. While the 34″ scale is now considered the standard, it wasn’t always so. Short Scale Basses at Europe's largest retailer of musical instruments - fast delivery, 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee and 3-year Thomann warranty . In general, it’s always a good idea to get your guitar set up and adjusted if you switch multiple gauges of strings at a time. What Exactly Is a Short Scale Bass Guitar? If you’re playing on an electric guitar, it might be a good idea for you to consider using these strings before you try out sets that are either lighter or heavier. As a result, when you increase the scale length on your guitar, you’re going to have more tension, even if you’re tuning to the same pitch and keeping your gage of string the exact same. Even the brands that do produce hybrid sets might not distribute them to all of the stores near you. Most of the hybrid string sets that you’ll find utilize the top strings from a lighter set and pair them with heavier strings on the bass end of your axe. I put these strings on my custom Jazz bass, and they sound amazing! Many rock players use 9s or 10s instead of 11s, though some guitarists like the extra heft of the heavier strings, particularly with the added thump of the bass side. Thankfully, if you can’t get your hands on a hybrid set of strings you can always go online for them. We may link to products if we deem helpful to the reader. Carrying a distinct vintage-inspired design and updated like the D-18 a few years ago, the redesigned 000-18 offers many of the features found in our pre-war era guitars. If you get way bigger than that, if you’re having, like a 2-1/2 or a 3-inch difference in scale length, then you’re going to want to go a full gauge difference. La Bella LaBella Danelectro Longhorn Style Flatwound 4-String 42-83 Short Scale Bass Guitar Strings £47.99 £39.99 RRP £58.95 £49.13 | Save: £10.96 £9.14 customer reviews (3 Reviews) If you stick with an old pair of strings, chances are that you might end up finding out that you do like them after all — nearly every brand has a specific advantage to offer, and sometimes strings end up changing a bit in sound as they age and are played more often. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with more great videos like this one: Have you ever wondered how scale length affects the tension of the strings on your guitar? Fender 9050L Stainless Steel Flatwound Long Scale Bass Strings - Light. It’s important to recognize that tone begins with the string! Scale practice is also an effective way to get your fingers comfortable with a new string gauge; if you switch between different gauges frequently your fingers might not build up effective calluses. In general, the difference in diameter on a given gauge string is going to have a more pronounced effect on the smaller gauged strings on your guitar. To get your 26-1/2 inch scale length guitar to play the exact same as your 25-1/2 inch scale length guitar, you’re only going to need to make incremental changes when it comes to the plain strings, and you’ll be able to make larger changes when it comes to the wound strings. Absolutely not. AWESOME VINTAGE TEISCO MONTANA SHORT SCALE GUITAR W/ GOLDFOIL PICKUP. This video from Anderton’s compares light and heavy string gauges to help you decide which sound you like better! However, they’re still the favored string gauges for a select few genres, particularly jazz and certain subgenres of blues. The short scale bass guitar from Hofner was made popular and eternal by four long-haired guys from Liverpool in the 1960s and they are still a fine choice for anyone seeking an old-school shorty. Sets of 11-52 strings are also very popular on guitars with slightly shorter scales than the standard 25.5” used on many models by Fender and other manufacturers. The most common hybrid string sets incorporate single strings from sets that would ordinarily be in nines, tens, and elevens. And if you switch immediately from string gauge to string gauge, you’ll waste time searching for, buying, installing, and scrutinizing the quality of your strings. It is super easy to play, and great for beginners. Outside of straightforward rock, plenty of players in other genres love to use 11 strings or even heavier sets. Bass Guitars $ 549.00; Hofner Club Bass Ignition Sunburst Bass guitar. Short Scale Basses For Sale on Reverb. 4.6 out of 5 stars 5. we're open & shipping orders    //    see current lead times     //    free shipping on orders $20+ details. One is a 25-1/2 inch or Fender style scale length, and the other is a 26-1/2 inch scale length. If you get all the way up to something like a 28-inch scale length or more, you’ll want to go a whole gauge down, all the way down to, like, a set of 9s. The genres that you love to play on the guitar can also call for different sets of strings, as well as the pickups that you use and the picking style that you employ. The Ernie Ball Music Man passive humbucking pickup, equipped with higher output neodymium magnets, has been specially designed for the short scale bass, providing its signature warm tone. It’s going to have not nearly as much tension as it would on a standard scale guitar. As you evaluate the merits of different gauges, you’ll be able to narrow down which ones you should put on your guitar and which you can leave behind. From low to high the tuning is ADGCEA. Suddenly moving to much lighter strings can shock the neck of your guitar and cause the wood to warp if you don’t take any action to prevent it. Even though they require more string tension than nines, tens are still very slinky, and are the string gauge of choice for plenty of guitarists across all sorts of models. 07. While the difference isn’t a total game changer, on these shorter scales 11-52 string sets will feel a bit looser and easier to handle than they do on longer scales. Some of these links are affiliate links meaning we may earn commissions on purchases. 4.8 out of 5 stars 3,022. 4.6 out of 5 stars 143. FREE Shipping by Amazon. If you really prioritize a “slinky” feel with strings that are easy to bend, you might want to reconsider switching up to higher string gauges. Short scale Electric guitar DIY kit for Children GK SST 06; Best-seller Electric Guitar DIY Kit GK SST 10; Chinese Left-Hand Electric Guitar DIY Kit GK SST 10L ; 12-string Guitar Kit/ Solid Wood guitar GK SST 10S; Solid Ash Body DIY Electric guitar kit GK SST 15; GK SST 15-REV; 12-strings Electric Guitar kit/ Ash Body GK SST 15S; more>> GK STL Series. The new short-scale bass features a 30" scale for easier playability, passive boost, and … Even if you change the strings, the nut slots and bridges on these guitars should be able to hold these string gauges without any problems. Today, we’re going to solve that question for you, give you a few pointers as to how to pick the right set of strings for guitars at different scale lengths. As you go up and down in string gauges, you might also feel a difference under your fingers in terms of string tension and the overall “slinkiness” of the strings and the neck. For example, if you wanted to tune a 25-1/2 inch scale guitar down to, like, B to B baritone tuning, you might have to use something like a set of 13s. Because of that longer scale length, you don’t need to go as heavy in gauge in order to tune down than you would typically. Check out this list of 15 easy solos to learn if you’re looking for more tips and advice. What Are Balanced Tension Guitar Strings? The shorter scale length means that players can use much heavier gauge strings, which gives the bass a much fatter, fuller tone. A short scale guitar has a shorter scale length, making it more comfortable to play if you’re an adult with small hands or you’re shopping for one for a child. The short scaled guitar will be sweeter and warmer sounding. A longer scale length, like the 25.5” found on Fender guitars, can make bends a bit more difficult to perform — but overall, plenty of players use 10-46 strings on their Stratocasters and are able to bend them without much difficulty. Great deals on Guitar Bass Guitar Strings. The plain steel strings are the best example here. But while there are plenty of different string gauges available to suit most tastes, some players might still not be satisfied with the standard sets of strings offered by most manufacturers. Body Type; The body type is an important consideration when buying a short scale guitar. Musical Instrument Rotosound RS77S Monel Flatwound Short-Scale Bass Guitar Strings (40 50 75 90) Music Tool. Heavier strings are popular with some players because of their bigger, louder sound. The closer fret spacing is also an advantage if you happen to have small hands, however this can be a disadvantage for those with large hands due to the fretboard feeling cramped due to the closer fret spacing. GHS Strings Short Scale 4-String Bass Precision Flats, Stainless Steel Flatwound, 32.75" Winding, Light (.045.095) (3020) 4.6 out of 5 stars 59. A 30” scale allows for easier playability due to the shorter spacing between the frets. Let’s imagine that you had that same 10 gauge set on a 25-1/2 inch scale, and you’ve got something with a 24-inch scale length, you’ll want to go with something like a 10-1/2 gauge set. Here in the UK the most commonly available sets os short scale strings are Rotosound’s RS66s 40-90 stainless steel roundwound & RS77s monel flatwound 40-90. Thicker strings, particularly sets starting at .12 and higher, require a lot of hand strength to bend beyond a half step or more. Whether you're a student just starting out on bass guitar, a bass player with smaller hands, or just a lover of the short-scale bass punch and … As we mentioned above, the extra output on the bass side of the neck creates a much stronger sound that’s easy to adapt to a variety of different playing styles. The gauge of your strings refers to their size: strings with a larger gauge have a larger diameter, which affects their sound and feel under your fingers. String Set For Electric Bass 5-String, Short scale, Stainless steel, Gauges: .040, .060, .080, .100, .120, Beginning of taper after 830 mm 0.010 strings are usually referred to as “tens,” and they’re the strings that are one step up in thickness from nines (particularly 9-42 strings). Sign up! When it comes to quality short scale 5 string bass guitar, the ESP LTD B-5JR Short-scale 5-string Bass Guitar comes as a natural choice. Punk, metal, and even indie players often use 11s on their guitars for these very reasons. What do you think? Conversely, if you have, like, a 22-1/2 inch scale guitar or something around there, a set of 10s is going to feel way, way lighter. http://acousticletter.com/join -- For weekly guitar comparisons, demo videos and acoustic guitar knowledge delivered to your inbox! 74. Even if you do manage to bend heavy strings very far, you might struggle to keep the bends in tune at all times. With that being said, though, heavier strings are more difficult to play with, and particularly to bend. These guitars have power to spare, can be flatpicked or played fingerstyle, and can have presence and headroom to rival larger guitars. What this means is, on a 27-inch scale guitar, a set of 10s tuned to E standard is going to have quite a bit more tension on it than that same set of 10s tuned to E standard on a 25-1/2 inch scale guitar. For one thing, short-scale bass guitars sometimes use a slightly heavier string gauge than their long-scale brothers, which imparts a thicker tone. But a common problem that you will face with most of them is crowded fingerboard due to their short scale size. This is true, as long as both are strung with the same gauge strings. Another top notch short scale 5 string bass guitar is the Ibanez GSRM25 Mikro 3/4 Size Electric Bass Guitar – 5 Strings. In actuality, it would have a little bit too little tension, but at a certain point here we can only get so specific when it comes to gauge. The tension on any given string on your guitar is a product of the scale length, the tuning, and the mass of that individual gauged string. The name does go about frequently in the guitar circles too. In comparison, the short-scale version is an evenly balanced system, well-suited to developing full tonality when played with a medium touch. In these cases you’ll probably benefit by reading the best short scale electric guitars and getting yourself one. Usually dispatched within 1 to 2 months. Easier to play and deeper in tone, these instruments are more popular than ever before! Practice with the new strings on your guitar for a week or two, making sure to play a wide variety of different styles of music. Sorry Rotosound but in my opinion these strings are AWFUL!!!! 0% interest for 36 months* i. As you decrease the length of the scale on your guitar, you increase how thick you can make your strings without suffering adverse effects in feel and bendability. Last edited: Jan 10, 2018. One of them just bought a set of light gauge guitar strings from you, on my recommendation. In these cases, it’s probably best to take your guitar to a professional technician in order to ensure the best outcome. Only 4 left in stock - order soon. Get the best deals on Short Scale Bass Guitars. D'Addario ECB81S Chromes Bass Guitar Strings, Light, 45-100, Short Scale. While many sets incorporate a top string that’s 0.009 inches in diameter (and are therefore referred to as “nines”), the most common set incorporates strings that rise in diameter from 0.009 inches to 0.011 inches, 0.016 inches, 0.024 inches, 0.032 inches, and 0.042 inches at the heaviest side of the guitar neck. The Hofner HOF-HI-BB-SB-O short scale bass is an instant ticket to the tried-and-true but can also create new sounds in the right hands. If you’re used to playing with strings that are nines or lighter, switching immediately to twelves or thirteens might be a big shock! The Ibanez GSR Mikro bass is one of the more popular brands that you can find. On the other side of the scale, you can also find string gauges heavier than nines, tens, and elevens. Asked/Answered: Are Short-Scale Guitars Best for Players with Small Hands? Gibson guitars, like this Les Paul, have shorter scales than Fenders and many other guitar brands. SX RST 3/4 BK Left Handed Short Scale Black Guitar Pack. Even if you can adjust the truss rod on your own, a luthier or other technician will be able to adjust it specifically to improve the action and playability of your guitar. If you really like to feel the difference in how your different guitar’s scale lengths affect the playability, keep your strings the same and just experience that difference for what it is. But a common problem that you will face with most of them is crowded fingerboard due to their short scale size. This is from an interview I did with Marcus Dominelli. These sets of specific string gauges, usually called 9-42 strings, provide plenty of slinky feel and give you the ability to perform wide, sweeping bends without struggling to fret the notes or push the string too hard. D'Addario ECB81-5 5-String Bass Guitar Strings, Light, 45-132, Long Scale $49.95 INS-20205 Electrical Bass Strings (4 Strings) Nickel Alloy Wound, Regular Light Everything else is a modifier. Single-coil pickups, like those found on Fender Stratocasters of Telecasters, will emphasize the clear, bright high-end frequencies that lighter strings excel at providing. The difference between a 9 and a 10 is far more pronounced in terms of tension than the difference between a 46 and a 47 or something like that. Even if chocolate chip is on your mind, our cookies make an important contribution to a great shopping experience. One advantage of less string tension is a “looser” feel, making bending and vibrato more fluid. The thicker strings are also able to produce a louder, thicker sound than lighter strings; players often gravitate towards heavier string gauges because the tone of the strings is less “pingy” or “tinny” and offers a more round, balanced sound. 0.011 strings are usually referred to as 11s or “elevens.” They’re the next string gauge up from 10-46 strings, and they feel thicker and tougher to bend with than their lighter counterparts. Guitar Scale Length Explained: String Tension & Playability, © 2014-2020 Stringjoy, LLC. Once you get used to the slightly thicker feel, you shouldn’t have any long-term issues with bends. Short scale basses also have a different sonic quality to them. I am working on converting a short scale bass into a piccolo bass. Now, the good news is you don’t really have to worry about becoming a math expert or really trying to dial everything in perfectly, because most guitar string sets are already constructed in a way that’s going to echo this basic mathematical principle when you just go down a gauge. The body is edged with tortoise binding and complemented with a polished finish. $169.95 $129.95. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive regular updates. If you take one guitar with a longer scale length, you put the same set of strings on it as you do a guitar with a shorter scale length, which is going to have more tension? If you’re having trouble bending, look at our guide to bending notes on your guitar! Hybrid string sets combine different individual gauges from various traditional string sets to make up sets that are completely unique in both sound and feel! Short scale version D'Addario's best-selling flat wound bass guitar set; Ribbon wound and polished for ultra-smooth feel and warm, mellow tone; These strings are designed for short scale basses (30”+) and have a taper at 32” All D'Addario strings are designed, engineered, and manufactured in the USA; String Gauges: Wound .045, .065, .080, .100 Most Short Scale Basses are eligible for free shipping. Using a pair of normal bass strings on a short scale bass will provide you with a looser feeling to the strings, which will also have an effect on the dynamical range of the instrument, as well as the attack and sustain of the … Even if you struggle to find a set with a name that indicates that it’s a hybrid set, you can always check out the packages to read the individual gauges for each string. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. For the musical (rather than instrumental) scale, see Pythagorean tuning. Short scale guitars are more … Douglas Scott – Short Scale Guitar. Some nut slots might not be cut deep enough to hold heavier, larger strings in place without them slipping out of their string slot or buzzing across the fretboard.With that in mind, our article on the best fretboard notes to master might help you out. You’ll still get all of the great benefits of the heavier strings, like the increased sound output, but you won’t need to deal with the side effects as well. I know that SRV used heavy strings but Brian May strings his guitar .008-.032 and I've never heard anyone say he doesn't have great tone. One other thing to keep in mind is that lighter string sets decrease the tension on your guitar’s neck. Gibson guitars, like this Les Paul, have shorter scales than Fenders and many other guitar brands. The longer scale length means that players need to compensate with lighter strings for the extra tension and reduced smooth feel. In terms of genre and style, 9-42 strings are very versatile. $46.74 $ 46. Rotosound RS88S Tru Bass 88 Black Nylon Tapewound Short Scale Bass Strings .065-.115 Black Nylon Tapewound Short Scale Bass Strings $34.99. Cort Action Junior Short Scale Black Cherry Bass Guitar. It takes time to get used to the thicker feel under your hands. Plan out how the switch will affect the styles of music that you like to play, and spend some time testing out multiple guitars with your desired string gauge on them. In Stock Compare. 1 Options Les Paul Premium Electric Guitar Strings $14.99. If you’re interested in trying out a couple of sets of hybrid strings, look for packages of strings marketed as “light top, heavy bottom,” “heavy top, light bottom,” “hybrid set,” or other terms which fall along those lines. It has a wonderful sound, and a fantastic, sleek look. While short-scale instruments are designed for smaller hands, they’re not the only option. Let us know down in the comments. In the early days of electric basses so… Even if they don’t feel as nice as your old strings immediately, don’t switch back right off of the bat! You like how it feels a little bit stiffer at, like, a 26-1/2 inch scale length and you like how it’s super bendable on, like, a 22-1/2 inch scale length. I also put a set of Lights on My Fender MB-4, and they sound amazing as well. We talk about the effect of different scale lengths as well as how to adjust your strings to balance it out. If you’re going after the best tone that you can achieve from your axe, heavier strings are a good way to get there without spending too much money and without needing to make any costly modifications to your instrument. Larger string gauges can have both positive and negative aspects: while many players prefer the sound of heavier strings, they can also be more difficult to press down and to bend, particularly for extreme bends like whole-step bends and greater. If you’re looking for the best set of strings for your specific axe, you’ll also want to check the nut and bridge of your guitar: depending on how the string slots are cut, you might need to alter or replace your nut to accomodate a different string gauge. It’s more important to practice and improve on your instrument than it is to be constantly worried about changing your strings at every turn! These gauges of strings are by far the most popular sets for players across all genres. Nylon strings provide a mellow and percussive contrast to the bright and articulate sound of steel strings. With that in mind, it’s essential that you find a high-quality guitar store near you, which carries hybrid strings from multiple different brands in order to give you the freedom to pick and choose. If you go much shorter, for example to a 61 As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Your email address will not be published. These string gauges also work well on even shorter scale lengths. 6-month Special Financing Available ‡ Learn More. Strings are one of the most important pieces of gear for your guitar — while they might be small, they play a big role in determining your axe’s tone, feel, and playability. The thicker diameter means that they don’t cut into your hand quite as much as 9-42 strings do. All you need to do is practice and stay consistent for a steady period, and your fingers will do the rest naturally! 9-42 sets of strings are also best suited for guitars with a 25.5 inch scale length, like Fenders and many superstrat and metal guitars. The popular types of necks are neck-through, bolt-on and set neck. $169.95. Required fields are marked *. Marcus Dominelli on String Length. Make offer - AWESOME VINTAGE TEISCO MONTANA SHORT SCALE GUITAR W/ GOLDFOIL PICKUP. Free delivery and returns on eBay Plus items for Plus members. At String Joy, we prefer to handle those things yourself. A scale length of a guitar can be defined as the distance between the nut and the saddle. So, Which Short Scale Electric Guitar is the Best? When paired with the best rock guitars, these strings will help you excel! $22.38 $ 22. If you happen to tune a short scale bass guitar with a pair of normal bass strings, the strings will have a lower tension than if you were to place the same strings on a regular bass guitar. D'Addario EXL170S Nickel Wound Bass Guitar Strings, Light, 45-100, Short Scale. By Mike Duffy. The basses may be rounder (some might say ‘muddier’) but the highs will be more lyrical and resonant sounding. To get a good idea of which string gauge will work well for your guitar, you should try comparing the advantages and disadvantages of different sets of strings. A regular electric or acoustic guitar’s scale length is usually between 24.75 inches (most … Fender Pawn Shop Series Mustang Special Candy Apple Red Electric Guitar Japan. So if you really want to switch gauges of strings, or even if you just want to change to an axe with a different scale length, make sure you take your time before you make a decision! Free shipping. When equipped on a small body instruments like parlor or small classical guitars, nylon strings produce a different tonal palette that both professionals and beginners enjoy. The one downside, however, is availability: unlike standard string sets, some manufacturers don’t produce many hybrid sets, if they produce any at all. 2 Options Flatwound Electric Bass Strings, Long Scale $39.99. As always, practicing scales is a good way to get comfortable with the feel of the different string gauge. In this article, we are going to look at all the reasons why you might want to get a short neck 3/4 electric guitar. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our. By comparing them to sets that you know to be standard nines, tens, or elevens, you can gauge exactly how different a given hybrid set will feel if you try it out. Both these sets have the afore mentioned thicker inner core. This makes fretting individual notes or bending the strings easier. This, in effect, is the reason that a lot of players will use longer scale length guitars in order to tune down. The lighter, smaller feel makes 9-42 strings easy to press down quickly and to switch between — if you’re looking to improvise your own solos on guitar, these strings can help you play as fast as you can without falling out of control quickly! The pickup configuration includes parallel, true single-coil, and series modes. If you purchase a new guitar, these are also the string gauges that will nearly always come stock on your axe. Humbuckers and P-90 pickups, on the other hand, offer greater output through the midrange and bass frequencies and therefore can take advantage of the increase in volume and depth that heavier strings include. Beyond their ergonomic advantages, short-scale basses are known for their juicy lows and warm, resonant highs which make them a common choice for studio work. If nines, tens, and elevens don’t fit your desired feel, you might want to try out a set of lighter strings. While the lighter gauges don’t provide quite as much meat for players to grab onto as they play, they do make it easier to play fast, difficult passages at tempos that might not otherwise be possible. Brite Wire Electric Guitar Strings, 12-String Set $14.99. The best way to build up calluses is to practice consistently over a period of a few weeks. At the same time on the bottom end, going from a 46 on that 25-1/2 inch scale length, you could go all the way down to a 44 on the longer 26-1/2 inch scale length, and you’d be right in the ballpark of what that tension would be on both guitars. This helpful breakdown examines plenty of different string gauges, and also discusses alternate tunings you can use to change up your sound as well! Qty: 149.95 . Some playes even say that playing 11-52 strings on a 24” scale Jaguar compares very evenly to playing on 10-46 strings on a guitar, like the Fender Stratocaster or Telecaster, that includes the longer scale length. Short Scale Bass Guitars A short scale bass guitar somewhat bridges the gap between a conventional guitar scale length and that of a full bass. Having heavier strings at the bass end of the guitar gives your power chords and fast rhythm passages some extra punch and attack. All things being equal, short scale guitars … Picato 96658S 4-String Stainless Steel Flat Wound 45-100 Short Scale Bass Guitar Strings, Set of 4 Pieces. If you’ve always used nines, you might want to take some time to try out 10s before you make the move all the way up to 11s. 49. Even if chocolate chip is on your mind, our cookies make an important contribution to a great shopping experience. Compared with a 25.5” scale length, switching to a 24” scale will make a very significant difference in the tension on your strings. That’s totally fine. £37.98 £ 37. Jim Dunlop Nickel Wound, Short Scale.045.105, 4 Set Bass Guitar Strings (DBN45105S) 4.0 out of 5 stars 1. Now, is this a requirement when you have guitars at different scale lengths? While the difference isn’t a total game changer, on these shorter scales 11-52 string sets will feel a bit looser and easier to handle than they do on longer scales. This includes the woods, body shape, pickups (on electrics)…the list goes on. Playing around with a full sized guitar isn’t easy especially if you are just new to it or have small hands. Where things get more interesting is when we’re making more incremental changes to scale length, because every string on your guitar isn’t going to react exactly the same to a given change in scale length. Short scale guitars are considered more comfortable to play in some instances, due to the lower string tension involved. The best string gauge for your guitar will depend on a number of factors: many guitars vary in their scale length, which means that they’ll work best with either lighter or heavier strings. This can make it more difficult to play for long stretches of time on the guitar, and can even be painful depending on the types of music that you play. Because they’re heavier than sets of 9-42 strings, they offer a bit more “meat” underneath your fingers. Shop with Afterpay on eligible items. For guitars and other string instruments, the “scale “is the length of the vibrating part of the strings, from the bridge to the nut. Typically these instruments carry a scale length of 30- or 32-inches compared to a 34-inch scale length found on most electric bass guitars. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that a 1/2 gauge difference in the overall gauge of a set, so here I’m talking about the difference between a general set of 10s and a general set of 9-1/2s or 10-1/2s, that 1/2 gauge difference, which of course would be balanced out over the entire set by the manufacturer, is going to be good enough to account for about a 1 to a 1-1/2 inch difference in scale length. How does your guitar’s scale length affect guitar string tension & playability? The Ernie Ball Music Man Short Scale StingRay bass offers a big thumpy round sound in a convenient smaller package. Now, the inverse is also true as well. These string gauges also work well on even shorter … But the extra training that your fingers receive by practicing your scales regularly will give them a big advantage when you want to play fast, difficult passages. For those reasons, it’s important to take your time with a certain gauge of strings before you rush to replace them. Picato 96658S 4-String Stainless Steel Flat Wound 45-100 Short Scale Bass Guitar Strings, Set of 4 Pieces. Using the right pair of strings here can definitely help you improve your guitar solos! I am working on converting a short scale bass into a piccolo bass. Furthermore, shorter strings require lower string tension for proper intonation, which gives both a looser, more “floppy” feel to the strings … A video lesson on short scale guitars, string length, and smaller body guitars (sometimes called parlor guitars). DR Strings Hi-BEAM FLATS Flatwound Stainless Steel Bass Strings Short Scale (45-105) 4.0 out of 5 stars 3. Qty: 169.95. £899.00 + £100.90 postage. They are easy to play with small hands and provide a wide range of flexibilities due to their smaller profile. You’ll find the lighter sets easier to bend at larger intervals (like a step and a half, or even up to two full steps), and easier to keep in tune as you bend them. If any other issues crop up with facets like the nut or bridge of your guitar as a result of the string change, a technician will be able to fix them without any issues as well. La Bella Low Tension Flexible Flats 42-100 Bass Guitar Strings, Short Scale £43.99 £36.66 RRP £55.95 £46.63 | Save: £11.96 £9.97 Out Of Stock View Add to wishlist Only 11 left in stock (more on the way). Shortscale Guitars at Europe's largest retailer of musical instruments - fast delivery, 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee and 3-year Thomann warranty 4 String Bass $ 299.00; Fender MIJ Hybrid Mustang Bass 3 Colour Sunburst. Shop today! Other options New from $34.00. $36.95 $ 36. 0.009 strings, often called “nines,” are the most popular string gauge on the market. Served with love! After all, if you can play comfortably with heavy strings without sacrificing dexterity or speed, they can be a great addition to your sound — there’s a reason that jazz greats like Wes Montgomery and blues legends like Stevie Ray Vaughan used heavy sets of strings like twelves and thirteens! For those players, it might be a good idea to consider hybrid string sets. Of course, how much this heavier, louder output will matter depends on your pickups and the sound that you’re aiming for. Bass Guitars $ 549.00; Gretsch G2220 Junior Jet Bass II Walnut Stain Bass Guitar. The 000-18, which has a beautiful aging toned top in Sitka spruce, is married with genuine mahogany back and sides. Instead of following traditional short scale specs, this guitar is actually a "full-scale" guitar, which means that it feel and plays like standard size classical guitars. What this means is, on a 27-inch scale guitar, a set of 10s tuned to E standard is going to have … Not much is known about it, though we did have the privilege of being able to hear it being played live. 38. As a result, when you increase the scale length on your guitar, you’re going to have more tension, even if you’re tuning to the same pitch and keeping your gage of string the exact same. Look at our articles on the best humbucker pickups and the best P-90 pickups for more information! They are easy to play with small hands and provide a wide range of flexibilities due to their smaller profile. And while some players prefer extra-light strings because they find them easier to bend, most players don’t have trouble performing wide bends with 10-46 strings. This generally leads to a “slinkier” feel, in contrast with the stiffer, heavier feel of larger string gauges. Bradford: What does scale or string length do to the sound? In practical terms, let’s imagine that you have two different guitars. 5.0 out of 5 stars 1. The larger strings might cut your fingers, and can often slow down your playing as you attempt fast passages. £275.99 + £89.99 postage. ... D'Addario EPBB170 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Bass Guitar Strings, Long Scale, 45-$28.00. Scales might seem boring, or even intimidating — particularly if you don’t practice them regularly, as a part of your standard practice routine! Whereas, if you have a 27-inch scale guitar, you might be able to get away with something like 12s. Because they’re so important, many players spend a long time trying strings from different manufacturers and finding the ones that feel best to them — but not as many players pause to consider how the gauge of their strings is affecting their guitar. Also, it is advantageous for people with small hands because it makes fretting easier for them. Short scale electric guitars are great and there are many reasons behind that. That extra difficulty also translates to bending strings. DYNAMIC TONE CONTROLS The StingRay Short Scale features a neodymium humbucking pickup with 3-way rotary switch. Like sevens and eights, these heavier string gauges are a bit less common than the three most popular sets. Let’s break down the different, most popular string gauges from lightest to heaviest. Again, in practical terms, if you have a few different guitars with different scale lengths that you want to play really similarly, let’s say you have a set of 10s on your 25-1/2 inch or 25 inch scale guitar, once you get up to about 26, 26-1/2, or 27 inch scale length, you’ll want to go about a 1/2 gauge down in order to match the same tension at the same tuning. Short Scale Bass Guitars A short scale bass guitar somewhat bridges the gap between a conventional guitar scale length and that of a full bass. ArtistWorks Review – Premium Online Guitar Lessons, Yamaha APX500III Acoustic-Electric Guitar Review, MXL 990 Review – Affordable Condenser Microphone. This guitar is reportedly developed as a special edition, just for Guitar Central. The heavier your strings are, the louder a sound they can produce, and the more full, balanced tone you can get out of your guitar. However, if you’re trying to account a little bit better for the difference in scale length, then I would keep these rules of thumb in mind order to help guide you into what is the right set for you. FREE Shipping. String gauges are usually referred to by the gauge of their lightest string: 0.009 strings (also called 9 strings or “nines”)  have a top string that is 0.009 inches across in diameter, while 0.011 strings (usually referred to as 11 strings or “elevens”) incorporate a top string that’s 0.011 inches in diameter. This gives you the best chance of finding a way for your new strings to excel. What we call “long-scale” basses have become more or less the standard scale length for basses, thanks to Leo Fender and the Precision Bass he introduced in 1951. Short scale guitars come with necks that are narrower and shallower, making it convenient for those with smaller hands. In effect, if you went with something like a 9-1/2 on the top end of your 26-1/2 inch scale length guitar, it would feel fairly comparable to a 10. This is my guitar after putting Thomastik Infeld flatwounds on the low end (AD&G on bass). All rights reserved. What a difference in tone. If you get all the way down to, like, a 22-1/2 or another really, really short scale length, you’d want to go all the way up to 11s, again, if your desire is to overall balance out all the tension between all of those different scale length guitars in your arsenal. 10-46 sets of strings, as they’re usually known, provide a great middle ground between lighter and heavier sets of strings. Ernie Ball Bass Guitar Strings (P02852) The Laguna LE50 is definitely the leader when it comes to the best short scale guitars. FREE Delivery. The Sterling by Music Man short-scale StingRay bass is the newest addition to the StingRay collection, offering the iconic design with a short-scale makeover for the first time. SX RST 3/4 CAR Left Handed Short Scale Red Guitar Pack. $17.49 $ 17. As your fingers adapt to the different feel of a new gauge of strings, they’ll grow more comfortable and adjust naturally to build up new calluses and protect your fingers. Whether you play a guitar with a 25.5” scale length, like a classic Fender, or one with a shorter length (like the 24.75” scales found on Gibson and other guitars), tens are sure to work for your axe. After you switch to a new set of strings, you should also step up your scale practice routine. On the Fender style 25-1/2 inch scale length, let’s imagine you have just a standard set of 10s from 10 to 46. You’ll often find these sets incorporating the top strings from a set of tens, and the bottom two or three strings from a set of elevens. It is important to note that while shorter scales can compensate for the added difficulty in bending that these heavier sets of strings cause, the shorter scale will still not change the thickness of the string underneath your fingertips, or make the guitar magically more friendly to being played with all sorts of different string gauges. Some manufacturers even allow you to customize your very own set of strings, with any combination of gauges — as long as you order the individual strings in bulk packs ranging from 10 to 25 minimum, you’ll be able to mix and match to build your dream set of strings without incurring any extra cost along the way! In certain cases, your fingers can actually bleed from playing too long without calluses built up! After you switch your string gauge, you should also give it a bit of time to sink in. XL Nickel Wound electric bass strings, long recognized as the industry standard, are ideal for a … A short scale electric guitar is any guitar having a scale length that is less than 25.4 inches. 4.6 out of 5 stars 5. Additionally, shorter strings need far less tension to achieve proper intonation, which gives a looser feel to the strings which many finger style players prefer. Shortscale Guitars at Europe's largest retailer of musical instruments - fast delivery, 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee and 3-year Thomann warranty . Furthermore, shorter strings require lower string tension for proper intonation, which gives both a looser, more “floppy” feel to the strings as well as fatter-sounding low notes. These guitarists love to use the best hollow body guitars, which sometimes require heavier strings.The best blues guitars, as well, will take advantage of the heavier strings. Even lighter sets, like sevens and eights in particular are popular in certain genres like metal and speed rock. That means that it’s just going to be a little bit more natural feeling to you, you’re not going to have to make that big compensation to having a way heavier set of strings on your guitar, but you can still effectively hit that tuning and keep everything under proper tension. Served with love! 3 Options ... Flatwound Electric Bass Strings, Short Scale $39.99. The benefit of short scale guitar is that you don’t need to extend your arm much. Overall, if you don’t feel comfortable playing with a traditional set of strings that increases in set increments, hybrid string sets are an outstanding tool which you can use to improve your string experience and ensure a more productive playing time! If you bend strings a lot in your playing, lighter sets will feel much easier underneath your fingers. One of them just bought a set of light gauge guitar strings from you, on my recommendation. On a short-scale bass the strings are under less tension, so they have a looser, slightly “floppy” feel, which also impacts the instrument’s attack, sustain, and dynamics. That’s where things can get a little bit more complicated. Get it as soon as Wed, Nov 18. 2 Options Sign Up for Gibson News & Special Offers. Get it as soon as Wed, Nov 18. While you might not feel much of a difference in going between 10s and 11s, they’re noticeably heavier than 9-42 strings. Certain sets even run in between a set of standards nines, tens or elevens, in order to give you a more smooth progression from the thinner to the thicker strings! Short scale version D'Addario's best-selling flat wound bass guitar set; Ribbon wound and polished for ultra-smooth feel and warm, mellow tone; These strings are designed for short scale basses (30”+) and have a taper at 32” All D'Addario strings are designed, engineered, and manufactured in the USA; String Gauges: Wound .045, .065, .080, .100 5 out of 5 stars Whilst I quite love Rotosound’s long scale strings, their short scale offerings suffer with terrible overtones, particularly … This gives you the thick, heavy bass sound that’s perfect for playing rock power chords or jazz comping accompaniments, while preserving a lighter, slinkier feel towards the top half of the neck for you to solo with. A truss rod adjustment can be a quick fix, but depending on the setup of your guitar you might need to take the neck off of your axe in order to get at the truss rod. Question: Reddit user theguitarman chimed in to the r/guitar forum this week with a questions that a lot of players have asked over the years: What scale length should you use if you’re a player with small hands?. Many famous Jaguar players, in particular Johnny Marr, utilize 11-52 sets of strings on their Jaguars for the extra sound and tone that they provide. The tension on any given string on your guitar is a product of the scale length, the tuning, and the mass of that individual gauged string. All Gibson guitars, as we mentioned above, carry scales that measure 24.75” long. For one thing, short-scale bass guitars sometimes use a slightly heavier string gauge than their long-scale brothers, which imparts a thicker tone. Now, what is scale length? Learn how your comment data is processed. Home > Strings and Accessories Listed by Manufacturer > Pyramid Strings > Pyramid Electric Bass Guitar Strings > Pyramid Gold Pure Nickel Flat Wound Bass Short Scale, .040 - .100, 640 Home > Premium Strings! Of course, some guitarists use heavier strings on their Fender guitars and other 25.5” scale models — but many players prefer to maintain a bit of extra slide in their strings rather than push them to the maximum tension that they can go. By mixing and matching different gauges, they allow you to get a different feel and find the exact right tone for each string on your axe. Traditional 10 strings run from 0.010 to 0.046 in diameter, with the specific strings measuring 0.010 inches, 0.013 inches, 0.017 inches, 0.026 inches, 0.036 inches, and 0.046 inches at the bass side of the scale. I also put a set of Lights on My Fender MB-4, and they sound amazing as well. If you prefer to do everything yourself, there’s a couple different string tension calculators on the internet that can be useful, but again, I really recommend reaching out to us because we’re more than happy to help you dial it in just right. 95 ($4.62/oz) Save more with Subscribe & Save. Rated 5.0/5 Stars (1) Compare. It’s only a matter of an inch or two, but the difference is massive in terms of playability.. FREE Delivery by Amazon. Marcus: I’ve found that scale length does not really alter the sound much, at least not with my own guitars, in the context of say 640, 650, or 660 scale lengths. Easier to play and deeper in tone, these instruments are more popular than ever before! In the context of guitars, bass guitars, and other string instruments, scale length refers to the distance between the bridge and the nut, not the length of the neck. However, the decreased tension might force you to adjust the truss rod of your guitar in order to balance out the lighter pressure. A guitar with a shorter scale length (like the Gibson Les Paul) requires less tension to reach concert pitch than a guitar with a longer scale (like the Fender Strat). What a difference in tone. Amazon's Choice for short scale bass strings. Depending on your history playing guitar, 10-46 strings might feel more comfortable to play for longer periods of time. This guide to the best strat pickups might help you find some good options! The same sort of method is also common for sets that run between nines and tens: the top three strings will be from a set of standard nines, while the bottom three will come from a set of tens. Short scale electric guitars are great and there are many reasons behind that. The scale on a Fender Jaguar, for example, is only 24” long, a full inch and a half shorter than the scale found on most other models by the same manufacturer. Scale Length. Get the best price on Short Scale Basses at Guitar Center. All Gibson guitars, as we mentioned above, carry scales that measure 24.75” long. Adjusting the truss rod to lower the tension pushing in the other direction will prevent this warping from happening. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. £34.07 £ 34. 10’s are some of the most popular strings around — but this comparison video tests them head-on with strings of gauges ranging from 8s to 11s! I put these strings on my custom Jazz bass, and they sound amazing! The long-scale OM is rich and powerful, the short-scale sweet and full. It is also one of the top best sellers on Amazon for a short scale 5 string bass guitar. While each manufacturer has their own specific terminology to name these sets, the vast majority of the names fall within those general guidelines. 4 String Bass $ 1,799.00; Gretsch G2220 Junior Jet Bass II Torino Green. Maybe you like just using a set of 10s on all of your different scale lengths. Short scale guitars were originally seen as nothing more than a novelty or a toy. They can adapt easily to almost any genre, particularly songs with plenty of bends and fast, precise solos. Get it as soon as Fri, Jul 10.