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I am planning on experimenting with a couple acoustic bass guitars and had a question about strings. If I wanted to use a 32" scale, which strings would people recommend? Most of the sets I find state that they are for a 34" scale. Are there specific sets for 32" scales? Are there 34" sets that are better for a 32" scale than others?

Ignoring the merits of a 34" scale over a 32" scale, and ignoring the merit (or lack thereof) of an acoustic bass guitar to begin with (don't want to re-open that can of worms), I was just wondering if anyone had any string preference for an acoustic bass with a 32" scale.

Cheers,
-Dave

Rick Turner introduced me to the Thomasik Acousticore strings. Now that is all that I use on my acoustic basses. They're a lot like a wound classical string on steroids and will take a few days to settle once you put them on. I don't know about the short scale, but I would bet that they make them as well.

Al

Elixirs... I think that's spelled right. The strings are coated and are reported to last a long time...
I've been real happy with them.

long

_________________
"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.” -Heraclitus of Ephesus

Thanks Al, I'll look into those. I don't see that they make a short scale set specifically, but it's good to get a recommendation nonetheless. What do you find you prefer about those strings over others?

Yeah Bob, I do like Elixir guitar strings and I'm sure their bass strings are great too, but again I don't see any short scale specific strings from Elixir.

Am I getting too hung up in the details here? Should I just use whatever strings and get on with it? I just don't want the strings to be too slack on a shorter scale length.


Cheers,
-Dave

Dave -

Try a medium or even a heavy set - that will result in more string tension ( and give the sound a little more punch, also)

Phil

Thanks Phil. Any recommendations?

Cheers,
-Dave