La Bella Strings for my JMJ mustang

[Tim Chapple]

A Mustang La Bella string question.
The 760F MUS and the 760FL MUS appear to be the same gauge -
43/60/82/104 - Can anyone tell me what the difference between the two is?

 

[OnTheDownLow]

I would assume the L stands for Long scale. Are you sure it's 760FL MUS?

 

[michael_t]

I would assume the L stands for Long scale. Are you sure it's 760FL MUS?

"L" in 760FL stands for "light". The Mustang set (MUS) only comes in one set of gauges (43-104), so it doesn't need the "L" designation as such.

 

[OnTheDownLow]

"L" in 760FL stands for "light". The Mustang set (MUS) only comes in one set of gauges (43-104), so it doesn't need the "L" designation as such.

That's why I asked if he was sure they said 760FL MUS because I was under the impression that it was only one type for Mustang basses like you said.

 

[michael_t]

That's why I asked if he was sure they said 760FL MUS because I was under the impression that it was only one type for Mustang basses like you said.

You were actually correct in that "760FL" is the light-gauge set (43-104) for "long scale". The Mustang set should be "760F-MUS" with no "L".

 

[Tim Chapple]

https://amzn.eu/d/8tMljHd

 

[Tim Chapple]

 

[mrperkolator]

A Mustang La Bella string question.
The 760F MUS and the 760FL MUS appear to be the same gauge -
43/60/82/104 - Can anyone tell me what the difference between the two is?

iirc La Bella also has the taper on the MUS version specifically to that bass. As always with strings... check the wound length on the manufacturer's website.

I just checked, and the 760FL is standard 34" scale. the 760FL-S is the short scale version that might work, but check wound length before buying. As long as my memory serves me right, the Mustang is short scale and the longer strings won't work well as the string will wrap around tuner and not just the felt. There is some argument that it still works with string around tuner like that, but as expensive as flats are, I'll never try it. I'd bet the stiffer La Bellas would be prone to break when bent that far. I emailed them once about thru body stringing, and the standard flats cannot bend that far without being prone to breakage. I cant remember the angle (in degrees) they said the flats could take and still be in tolerance, but it's not much. maybe 30 degrees. So if they break at the bridge at those angles, I'd bet they'd break at tuner with a higher degree angle. The low tensions are supposed to be able to bend more if you "gently massage" them.

Good luck!

Lots of mustang owners here: Short Scale club. Feel free to ask them questions.

 

[BearlyBass]

I literally just received my new Mustang LaBella’s yesterday from Amazon! Here is what the website showed vs what I received (spoiler: they were to correct strings):

 

[Tim Chapple]

Very interesting! - Many thanks

 

[ChristoMephisto]

The MUS set has 1 3/4" silk at the ball end and is meant for through body Mustangs. For top loader bridges use their short scale strings, as suggested by Labella.

 

[LetItGrowTone]

On the JMJ Mustang (and maybe other string-throughs, I don't know), there's a sharp bend where the string comes through the baseplate of the bridge which would stop the ball from rotating as soon as the bend is formed. Don't want to insult anyone, but I wrote a post about how to keep the ball free to spin for as long as possible during installation.

Short version: cut the strings to length before installation (before pulling firmly through the bridge and forming that bend). Then pull the string on gently, wind it on (don't spin it on by hand, you know?), while massaging the bridge end as it approaches tightness, to let the ball rotate if it wants to.

 

[Yahboy]

I literally just received my new Mustang LaBella’s yesterday from Amazon! Here is what the website showed vs what I received (spoiler: they were to correct strings):

View attachment 4902846
View attachment 4902843

Both are same, just the one you received are new packaging with new brand logo.

I recall that only one gauge for Mustang bass.

 

[iiipopes]

On the JMJ Mustang (and maybe other string-throughs, I don't know), there's a sharp bend where the string comes through the baseplate of the bridge which would stop the ball from rotating as soon as the bend is formed. Don't want to insult anyone, but I wrote a post about how to keep the ball free to spin for as long as possible during installation.

Short version: cut the strings to length before installation (before pulling firmly through the bridge and forming that bend). Then pull the string on gently, wind it on (don't spin it on by hand, you know?), while massaging the bridge end as it approaches tightness, to let the ball rotate if it wants to.

This ^ I do this on my regular top-load bridges as well as string-through. It works. I haven't had a twisted string that may cause instability in decades.

 

[LetItGrowTone]

Thanks @iiipopes.

As I said in the linked post, the Fender flats that came on my JMJ - from Fender - were ruined (sitar-like tone from being twisted, E and A). And it makes me sad to think of how many people might not realize this, and play with degraded tone, or become unhappy with this great bass for this reason.

 

[direwolf333]

Use this for string thru Mustangs:
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JMJ's come with Fender flats but the speaking part of the strings will wrap around the E and A string tuner posts:
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I like the Fenders a lot, they are ready to go right out of the box and seem easier to play with less tension.

 

[Tim Chapple]

Yes - I like the Fenders, but I have La Bellas on an old Musicmaster, which totally transform the sound of it.
Going to put them on my JMJ too.

 

[logdrum]

The MUS set has 1 3/4" silk at the ball end and is meant for through body Mustangs. For top loader bridges use their short scale strings, as suggested by Labella.

This one. I have a Mustang and I ended up selling the shorter 1.

 

[gazzatriumph]

The MUS set has 1 3/4" silk at the ball end and is meant for through body Mustangs. For top loader bridges use their short scale strings, as suggested by Labella.

This

 

[iiipopes]

The MUS set has 1 3/4" silk at the ball end and is meant for through body Mustangs. For top loader bridges use their short scale strings, as suggested by Labella.

Thanks for this bit of information. If I may, two other questions, since I have never seen these strings in person, much less up close and personal:
1) is there any taper from the ball silk up through to the speaking length, or is it all the same diameter but for the silk; in other words, not a taper core, or exposed core type string?
2) What is the length from the ball to the edge of the leader silk?
The La Bella chart gives these measurements for all their other strings, but omit the Mustang set from their table of flats.
Thanks.