MungoBass Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 I might have an early ‘70s Mustang on its way in the not too distant and wonder what strings other BC’ers recommend? Should I avoid flats as many manufacturers state ‘not suitable for string through body’ and bearing in mind the extra length on account of going through the body, would all short scale strings (flats or rounds) be long enough? The picture shows what I imagine to be a short scale set fitted - if these had silk windings, the E string nut and heading towards the first fret would be silk! My preference would be a set of nickel roundwounds - lightish gauge. Any recommendations out there please? Thank you. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 You should avoid short scale strings, apparently. Because of the through body stringing, medium scales seem to be the way to go. However, I have long scale Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats on my JMJ Mustang and it came fitted with Fender long scale flats, neither have had any issues. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duroc17 Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 la bella do mustang flats La Bella 760F-MUS Deep Talkin Bass - they say on the blurb made for string thru - i had them on my 66 and 77 and Vintera mustangs - just ordered the Squier FSR Orange- so will get some la bellas again 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 Another vote for La Bella Mustang flats. Specifically made for through-body Mustangs, with same comfortable gauges as light DTFs (760FL), suit a Mustang really well 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meterman Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 Just look for any medium scale nickel rounds if they’re your preference. Short scales won’t always work on Mustangs, as I found out in the past. And definitely, the La Bella Mustang flats are spot on in terms of fit, nice balance of tension as well. I did get a duff set once (the D + G were super bright and zingy, totally at odds with the E + A) but their quality control is generally spot on, don’t rule them out if you ever decide to go down the flats route. Good luck with whatever you go with 👍 (early 70’s Mustang, quite jealous!) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 La Bella’s Mustang set, flats with more silk at the ball end to accommodate the through-body stringing. Had them on my Mustang when I had it and they’re the best! Si 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MungoBass Posted June 30, 2022 Author Share Posted June 30, 2022 18 hours ago, ezbass said: You should avoid short scale strings, apparently. Because of the through body stringing, medium scales seem to be the way to go. However, I have long scale Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats on my JMJ Mustang and it came fitted with Fender long scale flats, neither have had any issues. Thanks very much - interesting to know that long scale flats may not be an issue.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MungoBass Posted June 30, 2022 Author Share Posted June 30, 2022 18 hours ago, Duroc17 said: la bella do mustang flats La Bella 760F-MUS Deep Talkin Bass - they say on the blurb made for string thru - i had them on my 66 and 77 and Vintera mustangs - just ordered the Squier FSR Orange- so will get some la bellas again Thank you. This specific set of La Bellas had not hit my radar - they have now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MungoBass Posted June 30, 2022 Author Share Posted June 30, 2022 18 hours ago, Clarky said: Another vote for La Bella Mustang flats. Specifically made for through-body Mustangs, with same comfortable gauges as light DTFs (760FL), suit a Mustang really well Brilliant - thank you. Would you say the tension is reasonably light? I have a set of LFTs on a Precision and certainly like the feel and sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duroc17 Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 1 minute ago, MungoBass said: Thank you. This specific set of La Bellas had not hit my radar - they have now! Thomann have them in stock. But I’ve just order GHS Light flats less money than la Bella but 32” seen good reviews so thought I’d try those 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MungoBass Posted June 30, 2022 Author Share Posted June 30, 2022 16 hours ago, meterman said: Just look for any medium scale nickel rounds if they’re your preference. Short scales won’t always work on Mustangs, as I found out in the past. And definitely, the La Bella Mustang flats are spot on in terms of fit, nice balance of tension as well. I did get a duff set once (the D + G were super bright and zingy, totally at odds with the E + A) but their quality control is generally spot on, don’t rule them out if you ever decide to go down the flats route. Good luck with whatever you go with 👍 (early 70’s Mustang, quite jealous!) Thank you. If the bass lands, I’ll share a picture on this thread! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 Get Newtone to make you a set. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 Tension of 760FL (and Mustang specific version) is higher than Low Tension Flats but not hugely so. Still very easy under the left hand 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MungoBass Posted June 30, 2022 Author Share Posted June 30, 2022 1 hour ago, Sibob said: La Bella’s Mustang set, flats with more silk at the ball end to accommodate the through-body stringing. Had them on my Mustang when I had it and they’re the best! Si Thank you. Strong recommendation for the La Bella MUS set..... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Mark Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 Fender® 5250XL Nickel Plated Steel Roundwound, Short Scale, (.040-.095 Gauges), PN 0735250402 These are what Fender USA fit to the current through body Performer Mustang basses. I've got one and these strings feel perfect and sound good to me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono Bolton Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 I put medium scale D'Addario chromes on my Squier Musicmaster the other day. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 Just for clarity for anyone who's unsure, the point with any through-body stringing and flats is simply noting whether there's bare winding at the break-point when travelling through the bridge, or whether silk is protecting the string at the break-point. The former will potentially cause you problems with the winding becoming damaged and unravelling (ie broken string), if you have silk covering the break-point, you're golden. Si 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigguy2017 Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 EXL160M D’Addario XL Nickel Medium guage 50 - 105 are really nice on a string through Mustang - as are the Fender jobbies. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MungoBass Posted June 30, 2022 Author Share Posted June 30, 2022 5 hours ago, Sparky Mark said: Fender® 5250XL Nickel Plated Steel Roundwound, Short Scale, (.040-.095 Gauges), PN 0735250402 These are what Fender USA fit to the current through body Performer Mustang basses. I've got one and these strings feel perfect and sound good to me. Thank you and a light gauge too! No issues with the length as in the picture? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P-Belly Evans Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 I have medium scale TI Jazz flats on my Vintera. Lovely they are too. Couldn't find the Labellas for love nor money at the time. Glad now coz the TI's sound lush. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adee Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 Yep anything Medium scale or indeed regular longs will do the job just as well 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Mark Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 19 minutes ago, P-Belly Evans said: I have medium scale TI Jazz flats on my Vintera. Lovely they are too. Couldn't find the Labellas for love nor money at the time. Glad now coz the TI's sound lush. TI are the only flats I've ever really enjoyed playing. I think it's because of the lower tension. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 47 minutes ago, Adee said: Yep anything Medium scale or indeed regular longs will do the job just as well Well, if they’re long flats, means you’ll likely have some wound length going around the tuning post. Again, could potentially damage the winding and cause the string to break/unravel. Rounds are less of an issue, but looks unnecessarily ugly IMO. Si 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MungoBass Posted June 30, 2022 Author Share Posted June 30, 2022 6 hours ago, Sibob said: Just for clarity for anyone who's unsure, the point with any through-body stringing and flats is simply noting whether there's bare winding at the break-point when travelling through the bridge, or whether silk is protecting the string at the break-point. The former will potentially cause you problems with the winding becoming damaged and unravelling (ie broken string), if you have silk covering the break-point, you're golden. Si Thanks. I remember many years ago cutting down the length of a brand new roundwound E string and watching it unravel! I should have put a couple of 90 degree bends in it first..... It’s only ever happened once! Live and learn! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MungoBass Posted June 30, 2022 Author Share Posted June 30, 2022 1 hour ago, Sparky Mark said: TI are the only flats I've ever really enjoyed playing. I think it's because of the lower tension. I enjoy the La Bella flats on my Precision but they are the Low Tension set! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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