Strings - Scale?

[JMM]

Hi

I bought some strings in town earlier but on getting home I've realised they aren't the ones I thought they were in the shop.

I was after these: [url="http://www.gak.co.uk/en/rotosound-swing-bass-40-125-5-string/5883"]http://www.gak.co.uk/en/rotosound-swing-ba...5-5-string/5883[/url]

And I purchased these by mistake (except in 40-125 as above): [url="http://www.gak.co.uk/en/rotosound-swing-bass-5-string-xl-scale-45-130/5921"]http://www.gak.co.uk/en/rotosound-swing-ba...ale-45-130/5921[/url]

I'm just trying to work out what the differences are. I think it might be just an older packaging design but I'm not 100%.

The main thing confusing me is that the ones I was going to get say "Long Scale" on the packet as do the ones I actually bought. The description however says "XL Scale" for the second link though.

Does anyone know if they are a different scale?

The bass they're going to go on is an Ibanez SR505.

[xilddx]

[quote name='JMM' post='1244628' date='May 25 2011, 07:10 PM']Hi

I bought some strings in town earlier but on getting home I've realised they aren't the ones I thought they were in the shop.

I was after these: [url="http://www.gak.co.uk/en/rotosound-swing-bass-40-125-5-string/5883"]http://www.gak.co.uk/en/rotosound-swing-ba...5-5-string/5883[/url]

And I purchased these by mistake (except in 40-125 as above): [url="http://www.gak.co.uk/en/rotosound-swing-bass-5-string-xl-scale-45-130/5921"]http://www.gak.co.uk/en/rotosound-swing-ba...ale-45-130/5921[/url]

I'm just trying to work out what the differences are. I think it might be just an older packaging design but I'm not 100%.

The main thing confusing me is that the ones I was going to get say "Long Scale" on the packet as do the ones I actually bought. The description however says "XL Scale" for the second link though.

Does anyone know if they are a different scale?

The bass they're going to go on is an Ibanez SR505.[/quote]
34" is standard for a normal electric bass is is described as Long Scale. Extra Long scale is usually 35" and over, which is more common on basses with more than four strings as the low B will have higher tension.

I think GAK have listed it wrongly, either the picture or the description. What it says on the packet is what matters.

I would be happier putting 34" long scale strings on a 35" scale length than I would the other way around as the silk wraps might be longer and extend over the nut.

There is a BC member who either owns or works at GAK, don't remember the user name though so that's about as helpful as a plastiscene pickaxe.

[xilddx]

[quote name='gsgbass' post='1245100' date='May 26 2011, 03:21 AM']You're not dealing with it, but some basses that string through the body can have a length of 36". (Fender American Standard for example.)[/quote]
Good point.