...just I'm getting one re-built and I'm gonna get the strings on ebay (cheaper than the shops) and I wanna get the right length... would it be medium or short?
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Which scale length of rotosounds for a mustang bass?
- Thread starter addylewis
- Start date
The Mustang is a short scale (30") bass but because there aren't many choices out there you can sometimes cut down longer strings, especially since you have the Fender tuners with the large holes in them.addylewis said:
D'Addario makes an excellent set of short-scale nickel roundwounds... yummy on my Musicmaster...
-robert
-robert
I found out the hard way - the short scale Roto's are too short for the Mustang reissue since the strings go through the body on the Mustang.
Let us all repeat the mantra:
1) measure from the ball anchor to the tuner side of the nut;
2) measure from the ball anchor to the middle of the E string tuner post;
3) purchase strings where the speaking length, or winding length, is between these two numbers;
4) if the string information is not readily available, contact the manufacturer.
On a Mustang, it can be quite different depending if it is a vintage string-through-body bridge or the modern top load bridge. The pictures in the article explain these points about strings.
1) measure from the ball anchor to the tuner side of the nut;
2) measure from the ball anchor to the middle of the E string tuner post;
3) purchase strings where the speaking length, or winding length, is between these two numbers;
4) if the string information is not readily available, contact the manufacturer.
On a Mustang, it can be quite different depending if it is a vintage string-through-body bridge or the modern top load bridge. The pictures in the article explain these points about strings.
Many of the short-scale strings will be too short if your Mustang is through body. Short scale Daddarios will def be too short if your Mustang is through body. Medium scale Daddarios should fit, though. Haven't tried the short scale Rotos, but I think the same should apply judging by what I've read on their winding length.
I ended up just putting on long scale EB Super Slinkys and they are great, although I may try something else when the time comes to change them.
I ended up just putting on long scale EB Super Slinkys and they are great, although I may try something else when the time comes to change them.
D'Addario "short scale" = 32" in winding length (ball end to taper) = too short for thru-body Mustang.
Rotosound "short scale" = 32.25" in winding length (ball end to taper) = still too short.
D'Addario "medium scale" = 34" in winding length = good for thru-body Mustang.
Rotosound "medium scale" = 35.25" in winding length = too long, maybe?
DR "short scale" = 33.75" in winding length = good for thru-body Mustang.
TI "short scale" = 35.5" in winding length = too long?
Here are a couple relevant quotes by @Root 5 regarding min and max winding lengths for a strung-through Mustang:
You can at least work with or get by with strings that are too long. It's almost impossible to do anything with them if too short, though. The Vintera Mustangs actually come stock with long scale Fender nickel strings, which work fine (albeit many people, myself included, changed them out only to get a different gauge or style of string).
I think I remember reading a post from FretNation on TB where he specifically pointed out that the TI short scale strings are supple enough to use on a Mustang and he's never had a problem or heard of a problem doing so.
I plan to put GHS medium scale brite flats on my Mustang next time I restring and I'll bet they'll be fine, even if a little of the non-silk part of the string is wrapped around the E string tuner. Maybe @Jon Moody can comment definitively on whether med. scale GHS would be suitable for through-body Mustang?
I think I remember reading a post from FretNation on TB where he specifically pointed out that the TI short scale strings are supple enough to use on a Mustang and he's never had a problem or heard of a problem doing so.
I plan to put GHS medium scale brite flats on my Mustang next time I restring and I'll bet they'll be fine, even if a little of the non-silk part of the string is wrapped around the E string tuner. Maybe @Jon Moody can comment definitively on whether med. scale GHS would be suitable for through-body Mustang?
You should be fine.
I once had a set of "long scale plus" Brite Flats with 38" winding top-loaded on my Jazz bass. The Brite Flats, being half-rounds, are pliable enough to wrap around a Fender-style tuner post without any issues.
