Flexible Short-Scale Flatwounds

[Rawkabilly]

My favorite flats on a short scale are D'Addario Chromes. Versatile strings, nice tension & feel, last forever.

 

[BarfanyShart]

My short-scale playing friend really enjoys the La Bella 760Fl-S strings. He likes their balance, flexibility and even tone:

La Bella 760FL-S SHORT SCALE Deep Talkin' Bass Stainless Steel Flatwound Bass Guitar Strings - Light

I like those way better than anything else on a short as well. But I like them because they are smooth and light, while keeping some stiffness. To me it makes them feel soft in the right hand, and tight in the left hand, and helps keep a low action setup from getting rattly.

 

[michael_t]

To me it makes them feel soft in the right hand, and tight in the left hand, and helps keep a low action setup from getting rattly.

Shouldn't that be the other way around? Soft for the left hand (for fretting) but firm enough for the right hand (for plucking).

Or, are you a lefty?

 

[fermata]

GHS flats, labella low tension, labella 760fx

Yep, those—plus Dunlops—probably form the definitive list for affordable, flexible flats.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I second the LaBella LTFs
And a suggestion, LaBella white tapes
These are round wound strings under a clear nylon wrap.

 

[mikecd1]

I don't think you want TI flats on a short scale anyway. They are way flexible across 34" so across 30" they will feel like rubber strings on a uke bass. Any light gauge flats will feel low tension on a 30" scale. I play Chromes in MEDIUM scale (strung through the body) on my Mustang with the action quite low. It works well.

I have been playing the TI flats on my Hofner for years and they took a LOT of tension off the neck and it took me a couple days to get the relief right. The feel though is amazing and I did have to adjust my technique for a lighter touch with fingers or pick, but it was worth it! Put them on your Holiday gift list and you won't regret it! All that said - I tried the Fender JMJ Mustang bass and it comes with the Fender short scale flats which felt really good on that bass. They are Fender 9050L Stainless Steel Flatwound (.045-.100 Gauges) and 25 bucks. If they have one of those basses near you, try them. To get real flexibility you'll need the Labella Flexible Flats or those TI Jazz flats, but the Fender or the Chromes might work nicely also. Good luck!

 

[MultiScaleMale]

They're .105, but I really like Dunlop flats.

 

[Shrubber]

I'm very happy with the GHS 3020 L's (.045 - .095, Precision Flatwound) that I have on my PJ Mustang.....

 

[jeff62]

The problem is that many of these suggestions are not available in a short scale set of strings. My bet is that you will love Chromes if you like your D'Addario half-rounds.

 

[jeff62]

The problem is that many of these suggestions are not available in a short scale set of strings. My bet is that you will love Chromes if you like your D'Addario half-rounds.

 

[tbplayer59]

Rotosound 77

 

[duncmill]

I don't think you want TI flats on a short scale anyway. They are way flexible across 34" so across 30" they will feel like rubber strings on a uke bass. Any light gauge flats will feel low tension on a 30" scale. I play Chromes in MEDIUM scale (strung through the body) on my Mustang with the action quite low. It works well.

I've had a set of med. scale TI Jazz flats on a Gretsch short scale for about ten years. They aren't as floppy as you might think: I have no problem playing them at all.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

Labella makes a light gauge set specifically for Mustang. They are not as low tension as many you mentioned, but they are phenomenal strings if you can find them at the moment.

 

[michael_t]

Labella makes a light gauge set specifically for Mustang.

The La Bella Mustang set is specifically designed for the "thru-body" Mustang. The OP has already indicated we're talking about the new top-load-only model here.

 

[Skillet]

I'm about to replace the Dunlops on mine for GHS Precision 45-95. I liked the Dunlops for a year but they seem unlike some flats in that, the character they retain after much use isn't as desirable. I have many many hours on this set and they just aren't doing it like they were.

 

[Chef]

LaBella Mustang Flats are your Huckleberry.
La Bella 760F-MUS Stainless Steel Flat Wound Bass Strings - Light .043-.104

 

[michael_t]

LaBella Mustang Flats are your Huckleberry.
La Bella 760F-MUS Stainless Steel Flat Wound Bass Strings - Light .043-.104View attachment 3866724

Please refer back to post #34.

 

[funkinbottom]

I have two short scales (30" & 31"), both with pretty low action. One sports dunlop and the other La Bella. Both excellent sounding and feeling strings.

Edit: Both top loaded.

 

[Chef]

Please refer back to post #34.

Yessir, I know they say that.
I can't imagine why they wouldn't work.
At any rate, these are the same guage:

La Bella 760FL-S SHORT SCALE Deep Talkin' Bass Stainless Steel Flatwound Bass Guitar Strings - Light

 

[michael_t]

I can't imagine why they wouldn't work.

The La Bella Mustang set has an extended portion with a softer material at the ball end to allow them to be put through the body without breaking. If the same set were to be used on a top-load bridge, the extended portion would end up riding over the saddle, which is no good.