MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Having not brought a set of bass strings for 15 years and not brought any short scale ones for well over 25 years the choice and the range in price has been a little overwhelming. Based on the Medium Scale GHS Super Steels the gauges would be: .044 .063 .084 .106. Industry-leading acoustic guitar manufacturers such as Talyor, Martin, Jasmine and Yamaha all have dedicated short-scale guitars for those with smaller hands. .045-.105 Short Scale Electric Bass Guitar Strings, Nickel-wound, Regular Slinky $19.98. And they do look VERY cool!! Nickel open-geared tuners with butterbean knobs are found with a rosewood headplate, which displays a large old style Martin logo. Higher tension also occurs when changing to heavier gauge strings. Acoustic guitar strings are commonly made of bronze, phosphor bronze, brass, nickel, silk and steel. This is simply a great-sounding acoustic guitar string that's durable and fit for all styles of playing. I’ve also tried their piccolo bass strings on my short scales which are fabulous. If I play in D standard how to recompense strings tensions? I been using them and have been happy. Bronze sounds bright, with bell-like clarity and a wide treble-forward frequency response. Both sets that turned up ended up too short for my SWB 1 so I presume they have sent me old stock. Your bass has re-energised my playing, it feels so comfortable. 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. . Another one to try from GHS is their Balanced Nickels. I do indeed have plans for a 5 string, in fact the plans will be going off to the factory to have the first sample built within a day or two. Hi Scott I recently purchased a short scale ’76 Rickenbacker 3000 bass, and I’m looking for the best flatwound strings to use? When you set up the SWB-1 basses, what strings do you put on? But was looking advice on strings, some places say bridge replacement can help too, although the size of the body might not take a badass for example, or fender hi-mass. Weird really as there is a clear market for bassists wanting to play lower notes. A back-to-the-future move from Martin saw these strings launched back in 2014; think of these as a vintage string. The brand has remained… Take a look at your guitar, too. ... We’ll help you zero in on your best options. I have GHS Bassboomers on it. There are choices for the best guitars for small hands, and all of them have their plus points. I would like the most bass sound possible. They haven’t got a clue what I’m talking about and the usual answer is, ” we will enquire with GHS and get back to you”. D’Addario claims that its coating offers more of the natural feel you get with uncoated strings, while still having the life-extending benefits of the coated types. We highly recommend sampling a range of coated strings from various brands in order to narrow down your preferences. Besides being cheap, HPL is more resistant to weather and climate changes. Hi Scott Hi Scott, I recently bought a passive bass and got some D’Addario EXL160S Short Scale Bass (50-105) – they are too short by about 2cm the taper comes to halfway to the first fret! Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. A Hondo Alien from the mid ’80s (this is a headless “paddle” bass with aluminum neck – a copy of the Kramer Duke) superb sustain, but it doesn’t give you a really deep sound; a Jack & Danny bass, a model made as a sample for the Musikmesse Frankfurt which is not officially sold in Germany (yes, this is my main instrument), and a Career bass I bought used as a backup for only 30,– €, this one sounds good but is not as good to play as the others. I love em, always liked short scale for my wee hands. For example, a typical high E string on an acoustic guitar is .012”. Superstar singer songwriter Ed Sheeran has entertained stadiums playing his Martin LX-1E signature model, and is responsible for popularizing the travel sized acoustic guitar worldwide. Now both these are from Factory with strings bridge etc, haven’t been to my tech to set them up for me yet. Shortscale Guitars at Europe's largest retailer of musical instruments - fast delivery, 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee and 3-year Thomann warranty This doesn’t work on Danelectro basses sadly due to their tiny little guitar-style tuners. many thanks String up with these and steel yourself for a booming performance that sees a fat low-end pair well with detailed mids and enough top-end shimmer to really make your chord playing ring out. The Piccolo strings they make are long scale but cut down just fine for short. I suppose that the problem is that asking for "the best" anything on a forum with no additional criteria is problematic....and I grant that it can take time to comb through threads which may nit directly address your question. I work for GHS, and would be happy to get you some of our “proper” short scale strings for you to review and comment on. I have a Tanglewood TW15CE BabyBass (acoustic). Light: .012 .016 .025 .032 .042 .054 https://www.amazon.co.uk/GHS-5500-44-Regular-Medium/dp/B002NLW4HG/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=shscbauk-21&linkCode=w00&linkId=&creativeASIN=B002NLW4HG. Price: $11.99/£13.99 | Material: … The 80/20 bronze Earthwood range offers this Extra Soft Silk And Steel iteration, which adds a layer of silk between the wrap and steel core to make playing easier on your fingers. I was so bewitched by this guitar that I spent my last money on it. This has been a really helpful blog post. I don’t know why Scott picks and chooses but doesn’t answer all these questions, but that’s not important. What am I going to do? Classical guitar strings are referred to as having high or low tension, with high tension strings offering a heavier feel and low tension a more easy to play feel. When it comes to acoustic guitars, strings are crucial to your sound, playing as vital a role as your playing style or your guitar’s bracing pattern or tonewood. By all means fire some across – I’d be very happy to check them out!! Currently you have JavaScript disabled. They are by far my favourite flatwound short scale strings!!! Would you have any string recommendations for a Gibson SG short-scale (30″) bass? Many of the string sets featured in this acoustic guitar strings buyer’s guide are coated, but we've included some alternatives, uncoated and more traditional string options too. Scott. Among acoustic guitars, the most common scales are clustered around 25.4–25.5 inches and 24.75 inches. If you’ve got a classical guitar, you’ll need nylon strings. Custom light: .011 .015 .023 .032 .042 .052 Price: £/$8.99 | Material: Silverplated copper wrap and mutli-filament core on wound strings, extruded nylon on treble strings. Hope you’re holding up ok under current conditions. Any recommendations on the best flats to go on a Gretsch Junior Jet? Having tested many over the last 40 years or so, I always seem to come back to light gauge Martin strings, which are great for picking acoustic blues guitar. Like to hear how you feel about DR short scale strings. Next largest menu would be for the best steel string acoustic guitar for small hands. Hello! For smaller bodied acoustic guitars, lighter gauge strings might complement the sound better, and vice-versa, with thicker strings a better fit sound-wise for larger bodied jumbo and concert models. Nickel open-geared tuners with butterbean knobs are found with a rosewood headplate, which displays a large old style Martin logo. Martin offers a wide range of acoustic guitar strings, and these Lifespans are its treated option of the SP 'Superior Performance' line. It took some futzing with to get the E string on my Longhorn though due to the silk wrappings. ... 7 Best Capos For Acoustic Guitar – Ultimate Guide. I currently have four sets of GHS bass strings sent by the company for me to review. Short-scale classical guitars generally come in at 650mm (25.6”), and at that, are still longer than the vast majority of steel string acoustic instruments. 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. 0% interest for 36 months* i. Im looking strings for a five-strings short scale bass of 30′, any idea? I tried a set of these a couple of years ago. The first thing I’d say about GHS is what a fantastic company they are to deal with. The main ones are Extra Light, Regular Light, Medium, Heavy. Whilst I quite love Rotosound’s long scale strings, their short scale offerings suffer with terrible overtones, particularly the low E. It’s so bad that if you fret an A at the 5th fret on the E string, it simply sounds out of tune. For some players that is worth it. or recommendation? The 24.9” short scale model’s neck features a modified low oval profile with Performing Artist taper, with a width of 1-3/4” at the nut and 2-5/32” string spacing for easy playability. any suggestions? And I wouldn't try non-standard tuning til your son knows more about the guitar. It promises a mellower sound with reduced finger noise that could prove useful for recording sessions. FREE Shipping by Amazon. Douglass Scott Short Scales Guitars. Hi Scott! I checked the intonation and it was very slightly out, but not enough to produce such a bad sound. i am having a difficult time finding string for my supro pocket bass. And that’s why the electric guitar is the best option for short fat fingers. The strings feel much smoother than other stainless rounds I’ve used and overall are, fr me,  the best roundwound short-scale strings I’ve used to date! It needs thick strings and enough tension otherwise it keeps on buzzing on the frets or you have to raise the action so high that its really no fun to play it at all. Shop today! Couldn’t agree with you more about the Rotosounds. On my guitar, I would like to use 11s, and eventually will. String gauge refers to the thickness of the string, measured in thousandths of an inch. I think they sound close to the Fender electric strings and they are really good. For guitars and other string instruments, the “scale “is the length of the vibrating part of the strings, from the bridge to the nut. The ‘cryogenic processing’ with liquid nitrogen that Dean Markley use for the Blue Steel range may sound a little like something from a sci-fi movie, but by freezing strings to -320 degrees Fahrenheit and then gradually bringing the temperature up, greater frequency response and tuning stability is claimed. I have (very) cheap Harley Benson Short scale P bass in the mail, which I intend to modify and string up as a piccolo……….should be fun! Among the best coated strings for acoustic guitar, Price: $17.99/£15.99 | Material: Nanoweb-coated phosphor bronze. Actual scale length can be determined by doubling the distance between the nut and the center of the 12th fret. I find the E string to be particularly dead-sounding. Your Short-Scale Bass, Loud and Clear Short in scale with long-lasting sound, these nickel strings deliver the fat, round tone characteristic of our classic short-scale basses. Yamaha JR1 3/4-Scale Acoustic Guitar Bundle with Gig Bag, Tuner, Strings, String Winder, Picks, and Austin Bazaar Polishing Cloth 4.6 out of 5 stars 334 $174.99 $ 174 . I’ve just fitted a set of their PSD BASS 99 (Piano String Design) to one of my SWB-1’s and they sound awesome! 13 – 56, the tension of the strings would need to increase to account for the additional mass of the new strings. It is possible to use long scale strings on many short scale basses – more on this later…). Materials An article and video lesson on short scale guitars, string length, and smaller body guitars (sometimes called parlor or parlour guitars). Buying guide for best acoustic guitar strings. Really low tension and flexible, but with this super-warm, middly, punchy tone. Maybe you have the same problem? Choosing the right strings is CRUCIAL to getting a good result from your short scale bass! Here's a generic guide to acoustic guitar string gauges: GHS Our first product from Ernie Ball is another … Short scale basses have become more popular of late and this is due to the warmer tone and the ease of playing. When it comes to selecting the best acoustic guitar strings for you, there are a few considerations to be made about material, gauge, and price. m). 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. Unless you are getting a special deal or the strings are being offered as add-on items at a reduced price, you probably won't find the quality you want in … The trade-off is that you lose some of that bottom end. Get it as soon as Wed, Dec 2. If you’ve taken a look at Musician’s Friend's huge assortment of guitar strings, you’ve likely realized that there’s a lot to consider in figuring out which strings are right for you and your instrument. 10/10. But since GHS came up with their balanced set of 44-106 I’ve been using them exclusively. Thanks. P.S. resultantly my longscale gets played & my short scale doesn’t. i prefer flatwound, but roundwound will do if it’s what you recommend. – I’d love to think the Thomastik flats would work, but will they fit? Keep your eye on the blog, or maybe ‘like’ the facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/shortscalebass/ to keep up to speed with it’s progress. 99. Our unique featherweight coating protects your strings from the elements and keeps corrosion away. Just purchased a new pocket bass from eastwood, but i prefer tape wounds. Don't miss the latest deals, news, reviews, features and tutorials. The best acoustic guitar strings with reduced string noise for recording, Price: $15.99/£12.61 | Material: EXP-coated phosphor bronze. Their stainless steel roundwounds have an incredible growl to them that I’ve not heard in other strings – very aggressive. – there’s not many of these basses around, so it’s difficult getting “ANY” info. Coated strings invariably enhance higher frequencies, too, but these benefits do come at a price – quite literally, as coated strings are typically more expensive. The range of dedicated short scale bass strings available is relatively limited, although there are thankfully still enough to suit all of us! So, What Are The Best Guitars For Small Hands? The E string sounded dead all over the neck, and chords were just horrible. recommendations, hence I’m turning to you for some Our biggest piece of advice would be to pick up a few options and get restringing and experimenting! Looking for informations about short and medium scale basses I found this page and Your SWB model, which seems to be very interesting too. Much has been written about scale length and how it relates to playability, but it seems that less is said about how tone relates to scale. It's easy to neglect changing the strings on your acoustic guitar. The small bodied 15 series Martins are quite a bargain for a short scale, and the gloss with binding models are under $2k. I prefer the short scale, I play a mid scale 32″ at the moment. All of the sets featured in our best acoustic guitar strings round-up come in a variety of gauges. To achieve the optimal fit to the player, this model is available in a multitude of scale lengths 613.5mm and longer. As far as string selection, it makes NO difference to me whether the bass is long or short scale, as I own a number of both. Extra light: .010 .014 .023 .030 .039 .047 I’ve got a set on order as we speak so will report back when fitted and tried. It’s only a matter of an inch or two, but the difference is massive in terms of playability.. You will receive a verification email shortly. These acoustic guitar strings are made in the USA with lasers! Shop with Afterpay on eligible items. I believe most of the prejudice towards short scale basses comes from the 40-90 sets they usually come with. Therefore, the builder and player must find the happy medium between clean, well-behaved bass strings and pleasant, musical trebles by choosing the best combination of scale and string gauges. The heavier the strings, the harder they are for a beginner to play. ... We carry a wide selection of strings for both electric and acoustic basses. 99 There’s a hot rail pick up and a new wiring loom on order so that just leaves strings. Elixir is the first name in coated guitar strings, and this coated phosphor bronze light/medium hybrid (0.013-0.053) set has been treated with Nanoweb, which not only keeps the strings fresh longer, and protects the entire string, but reduces finger squeak. Ernie Ball 2834 Super-Slinky Electric Bass Guitar Strings. The scale on thier version is 26.5. Bass strings on a short-scale are under less tension that on a long scale so if you’re used to using say 40-95 on a long scale, you may need to go up a gauge to 45-100 to get the tension back to where you like it. But there are drawbacks. Above , Martin 000X1AE - One Of The Best Acoustic Guitar For Blues Fingerpicking (IMO). , Please send me an email on scott@shortscalebass.co.uk and I’ll send you my mailing address…, Need flatwound & Brite flats for a Jaguar VM short scale bass.Suggestions please. Despite my limitations I thoroughly enjoyed myself so now she’s gone I have begun a mission to turn my old Musicmaster into a reliable bass that could, in theory, be used to gig. I guess get another short scale bass. I played acoustic guitar almost exclusively for quite a while. I’ll put the Piccolo Chord Shape lesson on my to-do list mate!!! The sets i tried were pretty low-tension and sounded bright & zingy. Thanks for advice about not nuclear picking on shorties anyway, I often do it on guitar and long scale bass , hello, Elixir Strings keeps your tone sounding great for longer. Vintage acoustic guitar strings to bring out your guitar's true voice. The New York company’s EXP range should be on your list. Here are a few factors you should take care of before choosing acoustic guitars string for your guitar. Why Choose a Short-Scale Bass? I’d go with GHS Precision Flats, personally. The strings feel much smoother than other stainless rounds I’ve used and overall are, fr me, the best roundwound short-scale strings I’ve used to date! thanks for this very informative post, i like to do a bead tuning on ahort scale bass. She is always saying she wants one but doesn’t know it’s coming. 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 tone, you've landed in the right place. Am I the only person here?! Do you have plans for a 5 string version at all? Sorry for the stupidly slow reply! Our round-up of the best acoustic guitars applies to beginner, intermediate and pro acoustic guitarists alike, and spans a range of budgets too. http://intl.fender.com/en-AT/accessories/strings/, http://www.aquilacorde.com/modern-instrument-sets/modern-instrument/2813/short-bass-one/?lang=en, http://www.hofner-guitars.com/guitar-accessories/guitar-strings/bass-strings-contemporary.html. The Epiphone EL-00 PRO Acoustic/Electric guitar is a direct descendent of Epiphone’s original line of flattop guitars designed during the golden age of acoustic guitars in the 1930s. especially the e string needs the tension to sound well. Treated guitar strings from an acoustic legend, Price: $11.99/£13.99 | Material: Treated bronze. and the neck width is 1.75 in. Pyramid I own 3 Gibson SG basses and have tried many different string configurations, so hopefully this will help you. For players who are still building strength in their fretting hands, thick gauges can make for a chastening playing experience, especially if you are a finger-picker or like to play fast runs and bend your strings. Finally I have some time to catch up on here. The E string sounds a bit dead compared to the others, has strange indertones and was a disaster to intonate, pluck the string at the twelfth and its starts off about a quater tone sharp then settles down to pitch, which makes intonating fun!….This was the case with all the strings, however I like the tension of them, but they will have to go as I just can’t cope when at certain frets they sound out of tune, a real shame…..in the grand scheme of things they are cheap, but its still a waste of good beer tokens! Fender Squier Short Scale (24") Stratocaster ... 4.6 out of 5 stars 455. But it’s not just about the size, it’s also about the neck shape and the design of the guitar. Treated to extend lifespan and boasting an excellent frequency response and feel, they also present excellent value, which is why they head up our best acoustic guitar strings guide. What makes a good fingerpicking guitar? The ideal example of this is the grand piano, which uses a much longer scale length for the low bass strings than the treble strings. I’ve only personally tried Thomastik JF324 Jazz-flats. Larrivee's Parlor series has a 24" scale, and are under $2k. Thanks. 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. Some manufacturers seem to simply make their strings shorter or longer depending upon the scale whereas others use a thicker core for their short scale strings. Usually short scale means 24.9", 24.75", or 630mm (classicals). Available in light, normal and high tensions, these classical strings from D’Addario are manufactured in the USA and have a wonderful punchy and bright tone. ... For any serious guitarist who is looking for the best short scale electric guitar, this the one that I recommend to take the music to the next level. Hi Scott, thank you that great review. I'm trying to help a friend setup a really old short-scale classical guitar. But guitar strings are cheap enough that you can try a few sets without breaking the bank. Fits short scale basses with a string scale length of up to 32 inches and a good choice for players looking to down tune. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Simply put – you won’t go far wrong using LaBella on your short-scale bass! The strings on your acoustic steel string or classical guitar have a major impact on its sound and playability. Below I will talk about the various brands I’ve tried and give you a summary of my experience with them. Our top pick for the best acoustic guitar right now is the Martin D-28 Reimagined, closely followed by the Taylor Builder's Edition V-Class K14CE Yamaha JR1 3/4-Scale Acoustic Guitar Bundle with Gig Bag, Tuner, Strings, String Winder, Picks, and Austin Bazaar Polishing Cloth 4.6 out of 5 stars 334 $174.99 $ 174 . Brand, gauge, length, material… thanks! The guitar is actually short-scaled in order to accommodate 14 frets before the neck joins the body. I’m and old f**k who already had short arms and fingers and had played my priceless old Precision for years. Love it apart from the string headache. They’re more durable, too. Just discovered this site and your facebook page, well played, very good. Ugh, I hate silks. If you like Rotosound strings then my advice would be to try using long scale Rotosounds a gauge higher than you’d use on long scale and cutting them down about an inch from where the silk wrapping starts. 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?. That’s all I’ve tried so far. I just got a secondhand 32″ scale bass and started looking around for strings. Medium: .013 .017 .026 .035 .045 .056 Best Seller in Electric Bass Guitars. Damn, sorry forgot to say…great, honest advice regarding string selection…..thank you! Website – http://www.thomastik-infeld.com, Optima Gold-Plated Now it’s my primary bass (for now, miss the feeling of a plank of wood in my hand) so gotta show her some love. Here on Reverb, shops a wide selection of the best new and used short-scale basses on the market. If you have a 30.75″ scale bass, or a bass like the Hofner Violin where the tail-piece is some distance from the bridge saddles, you’ll need to use MEDIUM SCALE strings otherwise the wound part of the string won’t reach past the nut. Thanx. They are not cheap but many players swear by their dynamics. Price: £5.99/$9.99 | Material: Phosphor bronze. I also own a Supro bass Huntington II. String choice is of course a very personal thing and these are only my personal opinions…. I soooo wanted the bass to work for me, and whilst I loved the feel of the bass, and the Rotosound strings, the ‘out-of-tune’/overtone thing was driving me nuts and I was very close to selling the bass on ebay!! I do hope that this gives you some help in choosing your first set of short scale strings, or if you’re looking to change. That’s great. Since you mentioned the GS Mini, which has a 23.5" scale... what do you mean by "short scale"? All the best to you Scott. Strings are not expensive They’re on the warmer side of nickel strings and are very even string-to-string as the name implies. It’s a real shame because they feel great and playing fast on them is a breeze. Rotosound If you are a folky strummer, heavier might be a better option. Anyroadup looking for a replacement fot the Rotosound disaster, which Labella set are the “growlers”, I’m a bit confused by the range……but I do like a growler! Guitar scales are organized sequences of notes played in an ascending or descending order that help you build finger strength and dexterity. This must be a great acoustic guitar string to use once you’ve dropped three grand on a Hummingbird and find yourself paying for a top-quality string with the loose change in your pocket. In a set of classical strings, the top three strings are made from clear or rectified nylon, with the bottom three typically using bronze or silverplayed copper wire wrapped around a multi-filament core. The result is a string the company says lasts five times longer than non-treated strings and sound brighter than the coated competition. La Bella 760F-MUS Stainless Steel Flat Wound Bass Strings - Light .043-.104 .043-.104 Through-body Flatwound Hand-polished Stainless Steel 4-string Bass Strings, Short Scale Get the best deals on Short Scale Bass Guitars. I am a long time guitarist but a few days ago I had an opportunity to play 95′ korean Fenix SH, 30,5 scale. We carry a wide variety of the best acoustic guitar strings at Just Strings. Because children have smaller hands and arms, it’s best to purchase short-scale guitars for them instead of a full-sized guitar. A quick but important note – some manufacturers produce short-scale bass strings that only work on 30″ scale basses. Practicing guitar scales also make you more familiar with the notes on your fretboard, develop your musical ear and provide a framework for … 11 – 52’s and wanted to switch to heavier gauge strings (as they can result in a fuller sound) e.g. At the end of all of the reading that you just did, I hope you have learned something about small-scale guitars.Before going online and definitely deciding upon a guitar that you want to learn on, make sure that you take a trip to your local music or guitar store to take the time and decide on which instrument you feel most comfortable with. The good news? Are they available to be built and ship to the USA? which string set do you recommend? On the acoustic side of things, a good option could be a Parlor, with their compact size and 24.75-inch scale. The strings feel much smoother than other stainless rounds I’ve used and overall are, fr me, the best roundwound short-scale strings I’ve used to date! Designed under the watchful eye of Gibson’s acoustic guitar builders, these phosphor bronze strings balance a sharp brightness that rounds out as it sustains. I am trying to make my mind up about flat wound strings for a Tanglewood TW15 Baby Bass 26.75″ scale, came across these new Short Bass One strings made by Aquila and wondered if you had tried them? Very helpful information – thanks. Please refresh the page and try again. Well in truth they sounded ok. They used to be called ‘Hard Rockin’ Steels’ but are now just Stanless Steel Roundwound. Chords sound great, the string are supple and very nice to play. Please note this list of new basses is updated every week, however to find out what is in stock from each manufacturer more accurately please click on their name in the left hand menu. As I was solidly and happily using Roto 105 round wound stainless steel on the P bass and would then use the gigged strings on the Musicmaster as that was my gig spare. Are you still doing custom jobs? https://www.amazon.co.uk/GHS-5500-44-Regular-Medium/dp/B002NLW4HG. Many thanks, Baz Miller. Due to ill health I’d hardly played for a long time. Thanks Scott, very useful site for newcomers in the world of shorties as I am I appreciate! These qualities can be rare today so hats off to GHS! ", Cyber Monday M1 Macbook Air and MacBook Pro deals we didn't think we'd see, Andrew Huang’s Flip promises to be a fast but feature-packed sample-based music-making app. Michael, They usually do – just be careful if you need to wrap the thicker part of the string round the post. Using your search string, I got 805 hits. If you want a small body guitar for less than $1,000 or an affordable acoustic guitar for a beginner, then you’ll be getting an HPL body guitar. having problems with intonation with any string i try. Plus, being a short-scale, tuned to pitch the string tension is really weak and sloppy. Guitar strings are measured in 1/000th of an inch, and packaged in sets that are typically referred to by their thinnest string, the high E. So a “set of 12s” will have a high E string that has a 12 gauge, measuring 0.012-inches across its diameter. When we talk about high-end acoustic guitar brands, Taylor ranks up there with the best of them. The technologically advanced alternative to coated acoustic strings, Price: $20.81/£22.25 | Material: Treated phosphor bronze. I’ve just taken delivery of two Fender Mustang Offset P/J Basses, new 2016 models. Whenever you're inspired to pick up your guitar, the long lasting tone of Elixir® Strings helps to keep you focused on playing. http://www.aquilacorde.com/modern-instrument-sets/modern-instrument/2813/short-bass-one/?lang=en. 00. Not a bad choice if nothing else is available – WAAYYYY better than Rotosound’s short scale strings. Nylon strings on short scale classical guitars require high-tension. What we think of today as an acoustic guitar was developed in the early 20th century for players seeking more volume than traditionally constructed guitars could provide. I had that fixed and are very satisfied with the bass. I prefer to use a capo to change the tuning up a half-step (one fret) at a time. I have recently discovered your YouTube channel and am gradually working through the videos……all good so far! Fewer string breaks? The Final Note: Best Guitars for Smaller Hands. Which gauge could You recommand for playing with a pick? I am attracted by the description that they have a double bass sound but wonder if they would be as silky as flat-wounds: There are several gauge types. Featuring my characteristic powerful, refined and noble concert sound, Scott Short Scale guitars are true concert instruments designed to suit musicians with smaller hands. For the SG’s I’ve found the Labella Deep Talkin’ 760FHBB (Beatle Bass) to be the best choice if flatwound is your preference. René. They also tend to rise in pitch considerably just after being plucked/slapped, which adds to this out of tune vibe. Cryogenically processed strings with greater tuning stability, Price: $6.09/£6.99 | Material: Cryogenically-processed steel. I use them on three short scale basses. 3. Personally, some of the best guitar strings for beginners that we have found are those that have a warm and defined sound, as well as easily playability and rust-proofing. I still need to leave a bass in the UK, but I’m missing my SWB. Ibanez 4 String Bass Guitar, Right, Brown Sunburst (GSRM20BS) ... Fender Squier Short Scale (24") Stratocaster - Transparent Red Learn-to-Play Bundle with Frontman 10G Amp, Cable, Tuner, Strap, Picks, Fender Play Online Lessons, and Austin Bazaar Instructional DVD ... Acoustic-Electric Bass Guitar. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. We’ve included a short-list of some of our favourite and most reliable acoustic guitar strings based on personal experience below. The Piccolo strings they make are long scale but cut down just fine for short. I settled on .012-.054 because the .013 set was screwing up the top on my guitar. I’d order medium scale sets to be safe (you still need the extra length for through body stringing too). Nigel. Best Acoustic Guitar Strings For Beginners: The Buying Guide. It wasn’t till I’d come to terms with a few things I sold my beloved P bass back to her last owner as she is too lovely to sit in a box, so got her out for a play for old times sake. They’re a bit longer than most SS strings, since the “Beatle” Hofner (and the many knockoffs) are usually a 32″ scale, but I’ve had no problems with the fit (although I’ve replaced the stock 3-point bridge with a Hipshot Supertone). Hi Mel, The real shortscale one with original Gibson three studs bridge. The set I used was the La Bella M42s – http://www.labella.com/products/m42/. What about nylon strings? The Martin SP Lifespan acoustic strings are a case in point. I ordered a set of D’Addario Pro Steels online just to see if they made any difference before I sold the bass and well – the difference was night & day!!! La Bella coats its strings in a different way to others; changing the actual surface of the string during the Ionic Vapor Process where “propriety compounds are activated in a glow discharge electromagnetic plasma to modify the surface”. I’d be grateful for your help. Also is shipping affordable? They’re extremely enthusiastic and passionate  about what they do, and they seem to genuinely care about their customers and were so helpful answering any all my questions. I love the fender growl, and I can get that from these Basses, but I find the tone/sound across all the strings a bit variable, can get punchy low, and nice treble, but the whole bass can sound a little inconsistent. We've also taken a look at acoustic strings at a variety of price points, covering off budget and more luxurious strings for your instrument, whether you're rocking a cheap acoustic guitar or a top-level strummer. I can’t thank you enough for prolonging my career. Thomastik-Infeld You may try the “Höfner Contempary Bass Strings roundwound HCT1133R”. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated, Thanks, Mark. Another string manufacturer to try could be Newtone as I hear they they can make specific lengths and gauges, British to! A short scale guitar can be any guitar: bass guitars, acoustic guitars, scale electric guitar, acoustic-electric bass guitar - you name it, and there is probably a short scale version of the guitar on the market. We stock a large variety of these basses from various manufacturers. Yesterday I video-reviewed their round-wound Super Steels. 99 How do the Chowny ones stack up against your originals? We will be buying this for a friend’s child. A scale length of 25.4 inches, 25.5 inches, or longer is considered long for steel-string acoustic guitars; anything less is considered short. Learn More. $199.00 $ 199. I see You recommend GHS 44-106 for standard E tunning I guess. Greetings from Germany. The best acoustic guitar strings for those with finger issues, Price: $8.99/£14.49 | Material: 80/20 bronze wrap, silk, steel core. I had him buy a pack of nylons from the local guitar shop, and they are crap. Recently discovered your basses via Ebay and was intrigued. The Epiphone EL-00 PRO Acoustic/Electric guitar is a direct descendent of Epiphone’s original line of flattop guitars designed during the golden age of acoustic guitars in the 1930s. But our experts have been test-driving set after set of acoustic strings to ensure you can quickly zero in on which ones will help your guitar sound the way you want it to. They sound very pure in tone and have good tension. Strings are strings - if I like 'em on the long scale bass, I'll like 'em on the short scale, and vice versa. Lighter gauge strings are easier to get a handle on, to fret and bend, and they sound a lot brighter. © Being into flashy-looking stuff I really hoped they’d sound amazing! 4.6 out of 5 stars 72. I’ve also tried their piccolo bass strings on my short scales which are fabulous. Fender I’ve ordered a couple of sets of GHS strings since they made thier winding length longer. Discover the best acoustic guitar strings for your budget and playing style, including top picks from D’Addario, Martin, Elixir and more. Thanks. What feels light to one player may pose a struggle to others. I’m just about to contact Rotosound in the hope they might consider making a dedicated short-scale set of these. which is standard for a full-size acoustic guitar. Short scale guitars come in 3 sizes: 1/4 scale; 1/2 scale; 3/4 scale The guitar is specifically designed to maximize the strings’ break angle to ensure that you get a pleasing bass notes with a shorter scale length. There was a problem. D’Addario I included both regular-, and ¾ sized guitars, because while ¾ guitars are usually easier to play, the sound is in most cases better in regular sized guitar. She now wears new hardware (Schaller 3D 4 bridge and some pre loved Schaller tuning pegs). I like a string with a bit of tension, not too floppy. Hope this is helpful and good luck. The string gauge - the thickness or diameter of the string - has an impact on your tone and technique, and on your guitar. The problem was that the nut was to high. That’s a really useful review! Sorry Rotosound but in my opinion these strings are AWFUL!!!! We’ve compiled a list of some of the best acoustic guitars on the market for people ... the easier they will be to press down on the fretboard and play. Best Steel String Acoustic Guitar for Small Hands. All Rights Reserved. I love the Thomastiks but the ones I have are VERY low tension. Do you have one of my original SWB-1s or a Chowny-built one, Ian? D'Addario XL Nickel Wound Electric Bass strings are world-renowned as "The Player's Choice" amongst bass players of all genres and styles. Factors To Consider When Buying The Best Short Scale Acoustic Guitar When it comes to acoustic guitars, strings are crucial to your sound, playing as vital a role as your playing style or your guitar’s bracing pattern or tonewood. The scale length is 25.5 in. As you already know that the guitar strings have a great influence on the sound you make. After reading this I feel I’m making a more informed decision, so gonna start with what I know & like, with 105 Stainless Steel round wound (D’Addarios) and go from there. . The Aluminum Bronze set has a nice natural playability, with the copper and aluminium wrappings over Maraging steel hex core promising long life without coating. just enough ‘grit’ in there when playing finger-style or with a pick, but switch to slapping/tapping techniques and there’s all the sparkle you could wish for. Natural feel will convert traditionalists, Bright, sparkling, upfront tone with warm aftertaste, Runs a little thick so check the gauges on the pack, Long-lasting treated phosphor bronze design, Today's best acoustic guitar strings deals, 6. I’m out in Greece halfway up a mountain so internet shopping is my only choice which doesn’t help. I second that! I agree with Scott says here – especially regarding the SS Roto’s – but I do use their long-scale 88’s on my Fender P and love them. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Shall be following from now on. The reality, however, is that for most people with proper technique and a lot of practice, you should be be able finger the proper chords correctly on any guitar. The gauge is very important with short scales, as to my ears anything under .105 for the E string gives it a floppy feeling. Short scale basses provide a different playability and tonality than their long scale counterparts. Take your time doing it – there is a risk you could damage the string although I’ve done this countless times with no problem whatsoever. However, to determine the scale of a guitar, you can’t just measure from nut to saddle, since the bridge saddle positions are moved or compensated away from the theoretical scale … The strings are lovely and bright, but in a balanced way, i.e. Also, I’m interested in buying your custom short scale. I bought a whole selection but the first ones that arrived were a medium scale Rotosound swing bass set. With sizes ranging from petite parlor sized guitars to dreadnoughts and jumbos and with wood choices including maple, rosewood, spruce, cedar, mahogany, and a host of more exotic woods, the best acoustic guitar strings for particular player or guitar can depend on a lot of factors, and the debate can become … Hi Scott Totally agree with your description of the Rotosound Shortscale Bass strings……Unfortunately I ordered a set the day before I found this site…….oh well, hey ho! 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. I like your style!….. Any chace of a video discussing chords shapes especially in relation to Piccolo Bass? I’ve always had a set of 50-105 D’addario on my short scale basses, and even Eb tuning would sound great. In short, HPL is a compromise to give you a better sounding, cheaper guitar. The next best string IMO for the SG are the SS D’Addario Chromes in 45-100 or the medium-scale Nylon Tapewounds in 50-105, provided you don’t mind the black strings. Gibson Masterbuilt Premium Phosphor Bronze, Ernie Ball Aluminium Bronze acoustic guitar strings, Dean Markley Blue Steel acoustic guitar strings, We check over 130 million products every day for the best prices, Buyers' guides to all the best music gear, Free music samples: download loops, hits and multis from SampleRadar, The best DAWs 2020: the best digital audio workstations for PC and Mac, 8 best keyboards for beginners and kids 2020: Start playing today with these top beginner keyboards, The 12 best audio interfaces 2020: top audio interfaces for music-making and production, The 15 best MIDI keyboards 2020: Mac, PC, iPhone and iPad MIDI controller keyboards for beginners to pros, Discover new music and watch shows from around the world with Show4me’s new app and enhanced site, Roland MC-707 and MC-101: two Grooveboxes that are just getting better with age, Steve Lukather on guitar tab: "Why would you learn that if you can learn how to read music? 1. I’ve tried Fender’s acoustic and electric short scale bass strings and like them both. Hi Scott, I got one of the last (I think) SWB-1’s that you set up yourself. Short-scale Acoustic-electric Bass Travel Guitar with Mahogany Top, Back, and Sides, Mahogany Neck, Laurel Fingerboard, and U-BASS Electronics - Natural Satin $ 249 .99 Or $42 /month § for 6 months Had the same problem with the E sting on that. Thicker strings will sound fuller, with a more rounded low end, and on balance they tend to be louder. The Thomastik JF324 are for 32″ scale. Bass? They do both a stainless & nickel range. When I first plugged the Dano in after fitting the ProSteels I could not believe what I was hearing. The Taylor GS Mini-e Acoustic-Electric guitar is the best guitar when it comes to great sounding. OK – I’ve never tried Pyramid strings, but it’s worth mentioning that guys like Paul McCartney used them which must say something!!! classic & heavy, also middle of the road on occasion, but always want that growl and bite. For a long, long time. what would you recommend for SQ Jaguar Special? D’Addario Pro-Arte Laser Selected Classical Strings, 9. $279.99 $ 279. C.F. Acoustic guitars come in all shapes and sizes.And while it’s often assumed this is for aesthetic purposes only, acoustic guitars are, for the most part, designed in a very deliberate manner to bring out the subtleties and nuances of the style of music they are intended for. There’s also a claimed longer life than some other phosphor or 80/20 options. They never do. Developed with US acoustic guitar giants Taylor, Elixir’s Nanoweb HD also provide a solid, pronounced low-end and bright highs, with less of the finger squeak that can be a nails-down-the-blackboard moment when playing. The Takamine GD30CE-BLK Acoustic-Electric Guitar is a good quality guitar that you can rely on as it clearly is a good quality guitar. Short Scale Bass Guitars. Maker Roger Williams, for example, offers a 650mm scale length as his standard neck, but also offers a 640mm (25.2”) alternative for all models. This is why many small-handed, steel-string acoustic guitar players switch to nylon ... We hope that our article has helped you in your search for a small-scale acoustic guitar. Bath I have also another question, why is it ok not to change flatwound but not for roundwound? I tried contacting Brian about a year ago. What a difference. Thanks SOOO much for those kind words – absolutely inspiring to hear how my small effort has helped so much. Free delivery and returns on eBay Plus items for Plus members. They might be classical by name, classical by nature, but the custom-extruded treble strings are produced by a state-of-the-art, computer-controlled laser. Scott, I jumped on here based on seeing your link on another forum. LaBella The second set of strings to arrive were the TI Jazz round wounds. Baby steps is the way…. Play whenever and wherever you want. I really can’t recommend these strings enough however if you use a lot of force in your playing and don’t want to adjust, you might be better with LaBella or D’Addario. I play Rock. I have yet to check out the other three sets, but these Super-Steels have very quickly become my favourite round wound strings!! Treated guitar strings from an acoustic legend. Sometimes, you simply don't notice how dull the instrument's tone has become, but more than likely, you put off changing your strings because it can be a bit of a chore. Designed for Women. The tone of the open strings was ping, ping, ping, thud. My only gripe with D’Addario is they do their ‘super-light’ gauge in Nickel?! When I got my first short scale, a Danelectro Longhorn, the only short scale strings available locally were Rotosound. But with so many types on offer, choosing the best acoustic guitar strings can feel like a minefield. Martin make some of the top acoustic guitars in the world, but they also make some of the best strings. I used these on a tour I did with Steve Cropper and they sounded just ‘right’. http://www.hofner-guitars.com/guitar-accessories/guitar-strings/bass-strings-contemporary.html Plus, they won’t go dead on you after three days of heavy playing. Hi Jonathan! Phosphor bronze strings tend to sound a little darker and warmer than bronze. In recent years coated guitar strings have made huge advances in terms of tone and feel, and are becoming an increasingly popular choice among acoustic players who want to extend the life of their strings. Have You ever experienced with detuning? All the best to you and yours, Jon, I cant find anything on the subject! When you think about it, it’s fascinating how much a fraction of an inch in scale-length difference can affect an acoustic guitar’s tone. Hopefully Scott can confirm this. BA1 1UA. Also, the second bass is to be tuned down to low B, I got rid of my 5 string and now intend to run two mustangs, one standard one tuned down. Slightly less zingy because they aren’t stainless steel, but a lovely tone and no deadness. I too have this question, When talking about scale length we are referring to the string length from the saddle to the nut. The steel-string acoustic guitar typically has a scale slightly shorter than the classical instrument, the most common scales ranging between short scale (24 inches (610 mm)) and long scale (25.5 inches (650 mm)). Mine last at least 2 years and the complete set is only about 13,– € in Germany. The best acoustic guitar strings for a brighter sound, Price: $11.99/£11.99 | Material: Aluminium bronze. . The Yamaha also has a thinner neck and a smaller body which suits it to a smaller guitarist. I tune ADGB and CANNOT find short scale strings to support down tuners. Commonly used short scales … For a darker more vintage-sounding flatwound you might be better served with LaBella, Thomastik or Pyramid. A regular electric or acoustic guitar’s scale length is usually between 24.75 inches (most Gibsons) and 25.5 inches (most Fenders). 10/10. Website – http://intl.fender.com/en-AT/accessories/strings/. On most shorties you’ll have to carefully wrap a little of the wound part of the string round the tuning post. You really helped me out. advice! We don’t want an electrified or acoustic-electric. On mine which is due tomorrow, they should be GHS Super Steels, which are stainless steel. Not as good as D’Addario and their electric short scale strings are (I think) only available in Nickel. The Piccolo strings they make are long scale but cut down just fine for short. The good news about acoustic guitar strings is that even top-tier strings are affordable, so cost shouldn't be a deterrent in purchasing your dream strings. I’m working with a local supplier to have stock of them very soon. I’m living in Spain now, but still have a band in Gloucestershire that I pop back to quite frequently. Gauge unknown at present. If you only look at the dimensions, it may seem like this isn’t a great guitar for small hands. All that overtone/out-of-tune stuff you get with the Rotosounds is non-existent with D’Addarios. Both their flatwound and roundwound strings sound superb. Brass strings have plenty of top-end jangle, nickel strings have warmer tone, make an excellent vintage choice, as does monel – a nickel-based alloy that many guitarists swear by for getting the best out of their tonewood. Gauges I've played everything from .010 to .013 on acoustic. Steel-string acoustic guitar. Their flatwounds have a great vintage tone and a nice feel. But with so many types on offer, choosing the best acoustic guitar strings can feel like a minefield. It’s a client built one Scott , black passive. Pure, solid lows with beautiful bell-like highs!!! I honestly though the bass must be a dud, with some serious problems I hadn’t spotted when I bought it. I don't know much about classical guitars, and am lost on what to do for strings. Thank you for signing up to Musicradar. 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. Visit our corporate site. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Nothing special, good-enough, not as bright as others. At @$500 this instrument is a good guitar for a beginner looking for a short scaled instrument with … Each material has its own timbre. They have ultra-pure steel SP core wire and are available in 80/20 and phosphor bronze sets, while 12-string and acoustic baritone players are also catered for. Also put a set on my Supro and sound and feel really great but I might try to find something a little brighter for my current projects. Martin SP Lifespan. Can I use flat wound strings (it has an under saddle pickup)? Solid wood is still the best but you’ll pay more. All rights reserved. But always remember this: You should buy a guitar according to the music you want to play. Epiphone G-400 Pro Electric Guitar with Coil-Splitting. I generally like heavier strings on acoustic because I can hit them harder and they are louder. LaBella short scale strings are fabulous! 12 Best Short Scale Electric Guitar Reviews and the Best Short Scale Electric Guitar Brands 1) Squier Vintage Modified Jazzmaster Electric Guitar Featuring full, clear Duncan designed Pickups and excellent fingerboard radius, the Squier Vintage electric guitar comes with all … What you need. Due to the shorter scale length they offer a looser feel and lower tension that as well as changing the playability provide less harmonics tonally – resulting in a thicker, darker tone. short short scale. Short Scale Bass UK © 2020. If for example you normally play light gauge acoustic guitar strings e.g. Nylon strings provide a mellow and percussive contrast to the bright and articulate sound of steel strings. Despite being a high-quality guitar, it comes at an affordable price that won’t strain your budget. I tried a TB search for "best strings short scale" and found 2,260 threads - of which yours was the first. Its price places it among the best value products in its category. Do they fit on a 30″ Short scale bass? Returning to the old nickel-based alloy blend of monel results in a softer touch and warm tone, to bring out the inherent tone in your acoustic’s wood. But not all. Acoustic guitars come in a variety of shapes and tonewood configurations. D’Addario’s round-wounds are the most consistent and pro-sounding short scale roundwounds on the planet imho! What would be your choice of Flatwound strings for a Gibson eb3 I want to try it in drop C tuning. You get a long-scale type tone from a short scale bass with these. So many questions. – I can’t find any references as to GHS’s ‘Super Steels’ I found to be a very powerful, growly round-wound string. Please feel free to email me at on scott@shortscalebass.co.uk if you have any questions. I’ve also tried their piccolo bass strings on my short scales which are fabulous. Probably the best strings I’ve ever had. Any suggestions? Very strong but not overpowering mids make for very musical and articulate playing, even with the tone rolled right off. Sterling by Music Man 4 String Bass Guitar, Right, Daphne Blue ... Cordoba Mini II Bass MH-E, Mahogany, Small Body, Acoustic-Electric Bass Guitar. Hi Michael, 10/10. It's designed to provide a warmer bottom-end and bolder top-end with some mid projection boost in between. Both these sets have the afore mentioned thicker inner core. Fender 6 String Mustang 90, Rosewood Fingerboard. Short Scale Basses For Sale on Reverb. My gratitude and thanks for a great review. I’ve now resorted to asking the supplier what the winding length of thier short scale GHS strings is and whether they are old strings stock or not. My oldest set was installed around 1972 on a '63 P, so those strings are at least 37 years old. I'm not much of a purist as far as guitar quality goes, but I do like to have really good strings. Anyone who has one of these will know the bridge is a nightmare, the basic tuning pegs are very basic and stay in tune for one song if you’re lucky, they used Strat pickups with the 6 magnets. With their distinctively narrow bodies and short scale lengths, parlor guitars are the smallest of all six-string flattop acoustics—as much as three … D’Addario’s flatwound strings are equally fabulous, although for some they sound a little bright and they are slightly higher in tension. The more you experiment, the sooner you find a set that gives you the tone and feel you want. Ernie Ball Acoustic Bass guitar strings is a gem of a product that is made up of 92% copper, 7.7% tin, 0.3% phosphorus… As the name suggests, phosphor bronze sees phosphor added to the alloy to slow oxidation and extend string life. Hi Scott, The 24.9” short scale model’s neck features a modified low oval profile with Performing Artist taper, with a width of 1-3/4” at the nut and 2-5/32” string spacing for easy playability. Heavy: .014 .018 .027 .039 .049 .059. If you try any, please let me know how they sound. Hi Liz – I, too, have a TW15 and would like to try flat-wounds (see below). Will I have to get a Mustang? Ernie Ball Earthwood Extra Soft Silk And Steel, 8. They come .040, .060, .075 and .095. My top 3: BUT they last a LONG time and they are great for people who have allergies to other strings.

best strings for short scale acoustic guitar

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best strings for short scale acoustic guitar 2020