JMJ Mustang Bass String Recommendations

DaveKirkpatrick · Feb 21, 2021

michael_t said:
Based on what I've read, the Pyramid "short scale" is actually 33.5" in winding length (ball end to silk), which should be long enough for the thru-body Mustang.

Yes- thanks for confirming-that’s the info I’ve been finding around too. Also wondering/asking if there’s anyone around that’s used the pyramid short scales on a mustang and how it worked for them.

JDT36 · Oct 17, 2021

Another vote in favor of the La Bella’s. The thump is fantastic - on the E in particular.

I’ve had a set on my JMJ for about 2.5 years they get better with age!

HelpImaRock · Jan 2, 2022

Kev1955 said:
Labelle Lo tension Flats Medium scale, Really like these strings, they fit, feel good..not to floppy, not to stiff. nice balanced sound. Only drawback is they are hard to find. The numbers written on the package is the numbers I came up with for ideal string length
View attachment 4066756 View attachment 4066756 View attachment 4066757

Kev1955 said:
Labella 760F Mustang strings, really nice, fit perfect, not to stiff, feel good, sound really balanced and full
View attachment 4069371 View attachment 4069373

Which of these did you like better? Also, was the silk long enough on the LTF so the speaking length didn't get caught up in the tuner? It's kinda hard to tell from the pic.

Thanks!

Kev1955 · Jan 3, 2022

HelpImaRock said:
Which of these did you like better? Also, was the silk long enough on the LTF so the speaking length didn't get caught up in the tuner? It's kinda hard to tell from the pic.

Thanks!

Hi, I preferred the Lo Tension Flats. the silk on them ended right at the tuner, I had no problems with the strings. They are hard to find, the Labella Mustang strings have a little more tensions, and are smoother. I like the for lack of a better word texture of the LTF's easier to feel. Have to say though the Mustang flats are made for string thru body, the LTF's are not, could that cause a problem, don't know, didn't for me, but something to think about

HelpImaRock · Jan 3, 2022

Kev1955 said:
Hi, I preferred the Lo Tension Flats. the silk on them ended right at the tuner, I had no problems with the strings. They are hard to find, the Labella Mustang strings have a little more tensions, and are smoother. I like the for lack of a better word texture of the LTF's easier to feel. Have to say though the Mustang flats are made for string thru body, the LTF's are not, could that cause a problem, don't know, didn't for me, but something to think about

Thanks. They're available through a few online retailers so I'm not too worried. LaBella didn't seem to think the bridge end would be a problem so long as i took my time while stringing.

BASS YODA · Sep 2, 2022

BASS YODA · Sep 4, 2022

Mustang Bass Strings Links, Tips, Tricks & Things | TalkBass.com

triviani · Sep 28, 2022

DaveKirkpatrick said:
Can anyone confirm that the Pyramid Gold Flat short scale strings are long enough to fit a string-through-body JMJ mustang? I found a few references to it in searching around, but just wanted to confirm before buying. Love the regular scale Pyramids on my Pbass

They fit on a through-body Squier Mustang

DaveKirkpatrick · Oct 3, 2022

Cool. I broke down and ordered a set a while back myself- and I love them. They fit the JMJ mustang perfectly!

Dadio · Oct 22, 2022

Guys thanks for this thread and other other Mustang JMJ threads. I’ve found them very helpful with my journey to find a sound that works in my particular situation with my new JMJ bass. I’m a long time P-bass, J-bass and Hofner player. In a live rock situation, I found my JMJ Mustang works well until I hit the low G, F and E regions, where my tone looses definition , despite tweaking my EQ with my VT pedal (Quilter and Barefaced cab).

I’ve tried Chromes, Labella flats and Slinky medium gauge 105s and despite sounding great in the bedroom, didn’t cut it live. After lengthy reading all the forum threads I could find, I latched onto the theory that lighter gauges may help this situation, and I’m happy to say I found a string that finally works for me. The strings are roundwound Daddario Stainless Pro Steels 40-95 only available in long gauge, but then again I’ve never had problems trimming down strings as long as they fit thru the tuning pegs and are clipped properly. Product number of these strings is EPS220.

Despite being light gauge, the Pro Steels strings have good tension, and sit nicely in a live mix. You may need to raise your action a little but I found the light feel is very nice. Using the JMJ’s wide-sweep tone controls, they have the ability to provide tone that ranges from piano-like, all the way to to a deep warm and zing free punch. The EPS220s are stainless but have a smoother feel than most stainless rounds. They do have less tension than flats, but I found them quick to get used to and I’m normally not a stainless round player, but these brought the bass into a new realm of tones for me. I’ve been on TB for years and years, normally don’t say much but thought I’d share my findings. As usual YMMV.

Dadio · Oct 22, 2022

oops I apologize for posting the above when the conversation started re: Flatwound recommendations. I should read from the start. Anyhow in my experience the Labellas were the best, aside from eventually removing them to replace with rounds ....

freshbass · May 23, 2023

NKBassman said:
No idea. They have a greenish silk on them, and it looks like the E string is definitely too long, as it's wound well past the silk onto the tuning peg.

The way that bass sounds right now, I can't think of a good reason to replace those strings with anything else. But if I ever change my mind, I'm going to try the Labella Mustang set first.

yes Fender USA 9050L Stainless Steel Flatwound, .045-.100 are long scale, labella makes a set just for the mustang as well due to the string thru bridge.
La Bella 760F-MUS Deep Talkin' Bass Stainless Steel Flatwound Scale Bass Guitar Strings - .043-.104 Light Short Scale Through Body

Vanx · Jul 1, 2023

Hello guys, just got this bass and I find impossible to intonate it right (and I’m still fighting with the sticky nitro on the neck!).
Plus the notes pitch seem to fluctuate

How do you usually intonate bass ? Open string and 12th fret pluck?

Is it possible that the stock strings are faulty or “old”? I just ordered a set of labella mustang..

klattman · Jul 1, 2023

Vanx said:
Hello guys, just got this bass and I find impossible to intonate it right (and I’m still fighting with the sticky nitro on the neck!).
Plus the notes pitch seem to fluctuate

How do you usually intonate bass ? Open string and 12th fret pluck?

Is it possible that the stock strings are faulty or “old”? I just ordered a set of labella mustang..

My basses are players so I lightly sanded my neck with 600-1200 wet dry paper. Worked great to pull the shine off the finish and make it easier to play (for me). but don’t do it if you want to preserve the condition.

I have tried lots of strings and always had enough travel in the bridge to intonate it. Looks up Phillip Conrad on you tube about intonation. Short and straightforward process.

klattman · Jul 1, 2023

I ended up with GHS pressurewounds and even though they overwind a bit on the E peg, they are fine.

flats you have to be more careful with since they can separate if you wind past the silk, but I have used cobalt flats that overwound and they were just fine. Labella gold flats broke when attempting on the mustang as the E separated at the peg.

Vanx · Jul 1, 2023

klattman said:
My basses are players so I lightly sanded my neck with 600-1200 wet dry paper. Worked great to pull the shine off the finish and make it easier to play (for me). but don’t do it if you want to preserve the condition.

I have tried lots of strings and always had enough travel in the bridge to intonate it. Looks up Phillip Conrad on you tube about intonation. Short and straightforward process.

Thanks so much, I did see his videos and I already did everything perfectly (I'm a guitarist and always did setups by myself).

I pushed the strings down at both nut and saddles level, this helped in stabilising the tuning and intonation (first the low E and A were showing as sharp and now are flat), I noticed the strings coil are "separated" both at tuning pegs and saddles, is this normal? Never had flat wounds before...

Anyway after re-checking and adjusting the intonation, E and A strings are always a little sharp around 5th fret, and the nut seems ok... never seen anything like this!

klattman · Jul 1, 2023

Vanx said:
Thanks so much, I did see his videos and I already did everything perfectly (I'm a guitarist and always did setups by myself).

I pushed the strings down at both nut and saddles level, this helped in stabilising the tuning and intonation (first the low E and A were showing as sharp and now are flat), I noticed the strings coil are "separated" both at tuning pegs and saddles, is this normal? Never had flat wounds before...

Anyway after re-checking and adjusting the intonation, E and A strings are always a little sharp around 5th fret, and the nut seems ok... never seen anything like this!

on flats if they are separated at the tuning peg they are basically done. If you want to try labella flats that are made for MUStangs they definitely work. Everything else is trial and error. Errors can be costly. Sorry.

Vanx · Jul 1, 2023

klattman said:
on flats if they are separated at the tuning peg they are basically done. If you want to try labella flats that are made for MUStangs they definitely work. Everything else is trial and error. Errors can be costly. Sorry.

Okay thanks, nice to know! it seems incredible but these are the stock fender strings that come with the JMJ and were like this from factory...
if I look at stock fender photos I see the same "stretching" of the coils though

klattman · Jul 1, 2023

Vanx said:
Okay thanks, nice to know! it seems incredible but these are the stock fender strings that come with the JMJ and were like this from factory...
if I look at stock fender photos I see the same "stretching" of the coils though

A slight stretch may be okay on one side but if it comes loose on both sides of the string it’s a goner.
Maybe a pic would help.

klattman · Jul 1, 2023

If you want flats:
Labella MUS short scale flats for mustang
Or
TI short scale flats
both work.
I have cobalt flats regular long scale on another bass (sure U5) that has the same 30” scale length and a through body bridge with no issues even though on the low strings, more than the silk is wound on the tuning posts.

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