Select your bass
Select the model of your bass below to show only sets that fit! Here are the most popular ones but use the filter on the lefthand side for more models and options.
Select the model of your bass below to show only sets that fit! Here are the most popular ones but use the filter on the lefthand side for more models and options.
Find bass strings scale length information at the bottom of this page! It would be very hard for a guitarist to say this, but the bass player is one of the most fundamental parts of the band. Witho...
Find bass strings scale length information at the bottom of this page! It would be very hard for a guitarist to say this, but the bass player is one of the most fundamental parts of the band. Without bass there’s no drive, no power and no strong, pinning-down of pitch. But the last thing you want as a bass guitar player is to just be a low rumble and the only way to gain the clarity needed is from your strings. Shop from our vast range of bass strings here at Strings Direct, spanning home-grown British brands like Rotosound and Elites to huge multi-nationals like D’Addario, Ernie Ball and Elixir.
At a glance, if your bass's ball-to-nut length is…
Up to 32” choose Short Scale
32”-34” choose Medium Scale
34”-36” choose Long Scale
36”-38” choose Extra/Super Long Scale
Scale length is calculated by measuring from the inside edge of the top nut to the centre of the 12th fret and multiplying this by two. Or, for a rough idea measuring from the nut to the bridge.
Speaking length is the distance from the top of the bridge saddle(s) to the inside of the top nut of the instrument. This will almost always be slightly longer than scale length.
Ball-to-nut is the distance from the ball-end (anchor point) of the string to the back of the top nut. When choosing bass strings we believe this is the most important measurement as it takes into account different types of bridges and anchor/ferrule placement.
We insist that players use the measurement of ball-end (anchor) to top nut of their current set of strings. This measurement is more accurate than scale length as it takes into account through-body stringing, and more complex or alternative bridges. In many cases the set of strings required will be longer than the bass’s stated scale length!
For a deeper dive click here to read our full article on bass scale length.
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