strings for short scale

fnsweeeet · #1 11-07-2008, 05:50 PM

i just got a fender mustang. ive never had a short scale bass before, and it looks like you can get strings with the same gauge as normal scale strings. i know that the playable length on the strings is different, but is it possible and harmless to use the strings off of my recently deceased normal scale yamaha on my short scale mustang? [searching for "short scale strings" brings only rubbish]

BloozBass · #2 11-07-2008, 08:22 PM

I hope you love the Mustang. I had one years back, and it's one of the few basses I've sold that I wish I had back. I currently have 2 shorties - an SX J and an SX P. There are all kinds of strings readily available for them - I'm a Rotosound guy, and I use Roto 77's on the P and Roto 66's on the J. Even the 88 tape-wounds are available in short scale. If you're not a Roto guy, most manufacturers make various strings in short scale. Re using the long scale strings, I don't know what kind of internal damage you'll do when you cut the top end to fit, but if all the damage stays above the nut you should be fine. Good Luck!!!

Blooz

fretlessguy · #3 11-08-2008, 06:08 AM

Chances are that long scale strings left uncut will have the main body of the string wrapping around the peghead, setting up possible breakage. Cutting the string itself could cause possible unraveling, but Mike Watt cuts off D'Addario longscale strings to use on his Gibson shortscale all the time, so have a go and see.....

If you want to buy shortscale strings then I would go to WWW.juststrings.com or www.bpstrings.com for a very wide selection of shorty strings. They can be had in just about every type and gauge their longer brothers can be had in.

My favorite shortscale strings currently are the SIT Power Round Nickels and D'Addario flats.

blowfly · #4 11-10-2008, 09:24 PM

I put some D'Addario Chromes on my old Fender Bullet short scale and they sound great. It's amazing how this little bass makes such a thick, massive sound. I think the split pickups are the same as your Mustang's unless Fender has changed them over the years.

slejhamer · #5 11-11-2008, 06:00 AM

Doesn't the Mustang have a string-through-body bridge? If so, and if you try D'addarios, get their medium-scale sets. Their short-scale sets are for top-loading bridges and the strings will be too short. Or at least that's what I recall. ;-)

mongo2 · #6 11-11-2008, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fnsweeeet

i just got a fender mustang.

What a coincidence, I just picked up a Mustang Bass today. Mine's the MIJ RI in Vintage White/Tort.

I just finished putting Fender 9050M flats (.100 E) on the Mustang and I used the regular 34 inch set (Fender doesn't make a shortscale flat that I know of). The "speaking" partof the E, A, and D strings do wrap around the post, 2+ times for the E and 1+ for the A and D. I've used the same strings for other shortscales (with smaller tuner posts) and had no problems with breakage so I don't expect any.

jzhobo77 · #7 11-11-2008, 01:56 PM

Try D'addarios EXL-220s I use these on my Epiphone EB-O jamming around bass and they have a great sound. I tried using Long scale strings by cutting them down, but It's like they are wrapped or the tinsel on the strings is not the same. Music123.com most of the time has these string in stock most of the time they are on backorder. Good Luck...