I have acquired a 70s string-through Mustang, and I want a beefy old school fat sound out of it. What are your suggestions for string gauge? Is there such a thing as too heavy a set? I probably don't want lights, but what are everybody's thoughts about strings for a fat sounding Mustang? Ground wound? Chroma flats? Labella deep talking?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Mustang string weight
- Thread starter LowB-HighC
- Start date
-
- Tags
- mustang bass
La Bella has a set specifically designed for the thru-body Mustang. 760F-MUS, 43-60-82-104. That would be a good place to start.
^this is the answer. Running them on my Vintera Mustang. Excellent string. Works with the scale length and string through body (since it was designed for it).
String thru short scale is just a medium length set. Its typical yes to see smaller gauge in the 90 range for the neck style.
I wouldnt go much larger than a 105 and you would likely need to play with the neck and bridge to get it setup.
Possibly a 100 is a good tradeoff. Would have to check what is out there many medium sets dont go over 90
More a issue with silked sets since if too long you could loose the silk and smaller end windings.
Or of course how much give you have with the truss rod.
I wouldnt go much larger than a 105 and you would likely need to play with the neck and bridge to get it setup.
Possibly a 100 is a good tradeoff. Would have to check what is out there many medium sets dont go over 90
More a issue with silked sets since if too long you could loose the silk and smaller end windings.
Or of course how much give you have with the truss rod.
I typically do TI Flats, but on the Mustang, I go LaBella. 760F-MUS just sound and feel right on a Mustang.
FWIW, lighter gauges can be way more "fat" than heavier gauges --- it depends on the string set, the 'design', and of course how you play them. but my point: lighter doesn't mean 'thin' necessarily, and heavier doesn't mean "fat" necessarily.
If you can find a medium length set at around 100 gauge would be my choice. Agree^
Really depends on how much give that truss rod has.
Either way it is a way to explore the limits of the instrument just to know what it can do.
Im only familiar with the strange coated LaBelle strings.
Some people like them, I remember the feel , sustain and output was little strange.
Interesting to know they have a 104 gauge medium length set, somewhat rare.
Or at least not possibly with Rotosound which is all I use
Really depends on how much give that truss rod has.
Either way it is a way to explore the limits of the instrument just to know what it can do.
Im only familiar with the strange coated LaBelle strings.
Some people like them, I remember the feel , sustain and output was little strange.
Interesting to know they have a 104 gauge medium length set, somewhat rare.
Or at least not possibly with Rotosound which is all I use
Good eye. Some good photos of them in this thread:
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/fender-mustang-mutes.893581/
Brandon Shea
Commercial User
I was on the fence about keeping my Mustang until I put La Bella strings on it. You won't be disappointed! I went with their 'light' gauge, which was .043-.104. The drummer I played with last week specifically described my tone as fat, so I think that counts. 
I've owned a few short-scale basses and tried various short-scale string sets. If the bridge and tuners allow, I now prefer to just buy "regular-length" strings of my preference and cut them down. It works for me. So, which strings are your favorite on a full-scale bass? Cranking a thick E string around the E tuning peg can take some work, but no harm done in my experience.
Flat wounds in gauges lighter than that, are few and far between. Mostly they're "specialty" La Bellas; and unless they're the flats specifically for a Mustang, or have a "TB" suffix ("Through Body"), La Bella warns against stringing their flats that way. However... I have the really light gauge La Bella's (760FX's and 760FD's) on a couple of my basses; and while they're great for the tone I want from those basses? Gotta tell ya; "Fat" is not the word I'd use to describe it. OTOH, medium gauge GHS Precision Flats would fit that description (they're on 3 of my basses). So would DR Legends - if they'll fit. And, a set of Roto RS77M's (40-90) would most definitely work...
I use the Labella Mustang set too … Once you get the labella strings installed , for ultimate fatness, experiment with some foam under the strings near the bridge.
