New to Bass Playing , some Questions ?

[Brudford]

Have been playing electric guitar for about 50 years , I'm a Fender and Martin guy from Pa so have to buy Martins also have
a Martin OM-21 acoustic. Just retired last year and have always wanted to play some bass guitar , so after much research I purchased a Fender Squire
Classic Vibe Mustang Bass Model # 0374570505 . After playing several standard neck length 34" basses I settled on the 30" Mustang short scale . I am only 5'7
with a short arm reach and small hands , much more comfortable to play .

I do all my own guitar maintenance and the strings on this bass are junk , are Flatwound strings the most comfortable to play , steel or stainless and brand?
I was also pleasantly surprised to find that this bass has a through the bridge to the back of the guitar string anchor point . Would regular short scale strings work
or do I need long length strings ? Also want to change out the pickups for the Fender Yosemites any experience with this ? Thanks

 

[ahbass2500]

Labella 760F-MUS flatwounds are great on Mustang basses. I find flats more comfortable than rounds, but play both. You are also going to get a different sound out of flats. May or may not be for you, but the Labella strings I mentioned are a popular choice for Mustang basses.

If you decide to swap pickup, there are several options that are superior to Fender IMO. I swapped the pickup in my Vintera Mustang Bass for a Nordstrand pickup. Curtis Novak and Seymour Duncan are also popular choices for Mustang pickups. I would try swapping strings first then decide if you are after a different sound. If you are, then consider a pickup swap. Use your tonal goal to dictate which one rather than just buying an “upgrade”.

 

[JonathanPDX]

Flatwound strings are going to give you a more indistinct tone, trying to mimic an upright bass. Less definition, very little high end, more of a thump than a snap. Roundwound strings have a lot of variety, you can go with big fat heavy strings that feel like telephone cables or very light strings with low tension which will sound snappier. What feels best under your fingers is totally subjective.

Also, remember to always let your amp do the work, not your fingers. Only pluck hard enough to produce a note and rely on you amplifier to make it loud, there's no need to dig in and try to wrestle sound out of the strings by brute force. The easiest way to develop good technique is to turn your amp up too loud, then you'll naturally adjust by plucking lighter with your right hand.

 

[BismarckHerring]

I don’t find flatwounds easier to play than roundwoounds, just different. When it comes to ease of playing, what matters most is tension and stiffness. The only clear advantage of flats is that they make less noise when you shift positions with your fretting hand, but I wouldn’t let that be a deciding factor. If anything, I would say that’s an argument for roundwounds because they will force you to lean how to minimize string noise.

When choosing between flats and rounds, my main consideration is sound. I generally prefer the brightness and sustain of roundwounds, but the thump of flats can be perfect for some styles.

So the question is, what do you want your bass to sound like? What music do you play? If you don’t really know yet, I’d advise you to get a set of nickel plated steel rounds like Ernie Ball Slinkys or D’Addario XLs. These are the most popular type and have a sound and feel that’s not too extreme. From there, you can decide if you’d like more brightness, more thump, more flexibility, etc…

 

[ahbass2500]

If OP wants to browse other string options, you will need Medium scale sets even though the Mustang is a short scale bass. Labella set I mentioned is specified for Mustang basses. Good write up on string choices for the Mustang here: What are the correct length strings for a Fender Mustang Bass?

In terms of flats versus rounds a few thoughts:
- Just like there is variety of sound and feel across roundwounds, there is a variety of sound and feel across flatwounds.
- I run flats and rounds on my basses. I prefer flats on the Mustang bass. Labella set I mentioned gives classic Mustang Bass sound.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

Congrats on your new bass! The CV Mustang basses are very nice instruments.

You shouldn't really choose flats based on whether they are more comfortable to play though, but based on your tonal needs. Flats will sound/feel VERY different from roundwounds. Not "better", just very, very different.

You are right that many short scale strings will be too short for a Mustang bass. There are exceptions though. For example, Thomastik's short scale strings are comparable to medium scale from many other manufacturers, because these strings are designed for short scale basses with a tailpiece (like for example Höfners). There is no standard for short scale strings. You will need to measure from ball end to nut and find strings that have the correct winding length.

Having said that, with roundwounds (and SOME flats) you won't have any problems using LONG scale strings on a Mustang bass. You will get some of the full sized (non-tapered) part of the strings around the tuner post, but with the exception of SOME flats (which can unravel) this won't be a problem. On short scale basses with guitar-style tuners (like Danelectros and Höfners) it's a different matter. You won't be able to use long scale strings on those.

Be aware that some types of flats may also unravel and break at the saddles with through-body stinging, due to the sharp break-angle over the saddles. LaBella DTFs are one of those flats, but LaBella make a special set for Mustang basses. Because of this they are very popular strings for Mustang basses. However, LaBella DTFs are also some of the most "thumpy" and darkest sounding strings you will ever find. They are great strings, but NOT a good choice unless you know for certain that you want this particular tone.

If you purchased the bass new, the stock "junk" strings are Fenders (made by D'addario) so you will probably want to avoid Fender roundwounds (and probably D'Addario XLs too, as they are quite similar, just a tad brighter). Personally I don't think Fender strings are junk. For MY taste they are perfectly decent strings, although perhaps not the most exciting. They're good allrounders that work for lots of different music.

But the best choice of strings will depend on what style of music you play, and what kind of tone you're aiming for. If you're a guitar player you will soon realize that the choice of strings can make a LOT more diffence on a bass guitar.

So basically, we need more information before you can get any meaningful advice on strings. Flats in particular can vary a LOT. Some are very stiff, others are extremely supple. Some are rather bright (or at least have a strong upper mid presence), others are VERY dark sounding. Some have excellent sustain, others are all about the "thump". Some will sound nice out of the box, others will need months, or even YEARS of playing before they're at their best.

With roundwounds the differences are much smaller, but they can still differ a lot in brightness and "feel" (stiff vs supple at similar gauges).

Then there are other popular options like tapewounds and pressurewounds (and to some extent groundwounds).

The bad new is that with short scale basses it's even more difficult to find great strings than with long scale basses. There's a compromise that needs to be made between too light gauges, which will be floppy and cause fretbuzz with normal action unless you only play very softly, and too heavy gauges which will cause nasty "out of tune" overtones when playing higher up the neck on the lower strings. The laws of physics really are against short scale basses.

The good news is that with the right choice of strings, short scale basses can be wonderful instruments!

 

[BismarckHerring]

- Just like there is variety of sound and feel across roundwounds, there is a variety of sound and feel across flatwounds.

Absolutely, but that’s a deep rabbit hole and I don’t think a beginner should overthink it. For almost all beginners (unless they are after a very specific sound) I’d say starting with middle-of-the-road type of strings (like slinkys or XLs in the most popular gauge for the scale length of your bass) and going from there is the best option. Are they the easiest to play? That subjective, so not for everyone. But they’re neither extremely stiff nor extremely floppy, and that makes them a good place to start.

 

[MtManiac]

Regardless of what strings you settle on, just make sure you’re installing them correctly - bass string installation is different from guitar string installation.

 

[FugaziBomb]

Flatwound strings the most comfortable to play

 

[Jay Corwin]

I have the Labellas mentioned early on my CV Mustang. They play and sound great.

Growing up I always played rounds because I didn't know flats existed. Once I was introduced to them, I never went back. I have DR Flats on my P-basses. I've tried Dunlop, Fender, and Rotos in the past as well. My preferences are the DR's or Labella.

IMO Flats are more comfortable to play than rounds. That is, they are easier on your fingers and on your frets/board. A nice set of polished flats have no drag at all when fretting, sliding, etc.

First and foremost though, you have to dig the tone one them. They'll never have the zing of a round wound. It depends what sound you are going for.

 

[Dana R Gregory]

How about chromes? They are sooooooo smooth on the fingers and have a brighter sound. I have used them exclusively on all my basses and am able to get fat vintage sounds to a modern Jaco like growl out of them depending on EQ and technique. IMHO they are the best of both worlds. Definitely worth a look.

 

[Five or Six]

So the question is, what do you want your bass to sound like? What music do you play? If you don’t really know yet, I’d advise you to get a set of nickel plated steel rounds like Ernie Ball Slinkys or D’Addario XLs. These are the most popular type and have a sound and feel that’s not too extreme. From there, you can decide if you’d like more brightness, more thump, more flexibility, etc…

This^^^^This will be your decision after playing both. Our preference may not be yours after trial. I personally like rounds, but that is just me. Strings on a newly purchased bass need to be garbage fodder anyway and a good personal setup is important. Welcome to the other side and congrats on the retirement!

 

[coryr1000]

I have a Squire CV Mustang and use Ernie Ball Regular Slinky (45, 65, 85, 105) MEDIUM SCALE. Short scale is not long enough. I also swapped out the pickup for a Nordstrand NM4 and that little bass is a rocker!

 

[PizzaBall]

Have been playing electric guitar for about 50 years , I'm a Fender and Martin guy from Pa so have to buy Martins also have
a Martin OM-21 acoustic. Just retired last year and have always wanted to play some bass guitar , so after much research I purchased a Fender Squire
Classic Vibe Mustang Bass Model # 0374570505 . After playing several standard neck length 34" basses I settled on the 30" Mustang short scale . I am only 5'7
with a short arm reach and small hands , much more comfortable to play .

I do all my own guitar maintenance and the strings on this bass are junk , are Flatwound strings the most comfortable to play , steel or stainless and brand?
I was also pleasantly surprised to find that this bass has a through the bridge to the back of the guitar string anchor point . Would regular short scale strings work
or do I need long length strings ? Also want to change out the pickups for the Fender Yosemites any experience with this ? Thanks

Off topic - since you mentioned you're from PA, ever hear of Northeast Music? Fantastic Martin dealer.

Certain brands do make Mustang specific strings, like La Bella for example, they have the normal 760FL flatwounds, and then the 760FL-MUS , which are flatwounds specifically for the Mustang.

 

[getting-bassed]

Flats would sound great on that bass. Or tapewounds. For flats, I'm presently loving the Labella Olinto flats, and for tapes, the LaBella 760Ns are surprisingly dynamic.

 

[tpaul]

I too took up the bass after many years (decades) of guitar playing. When I first started I was frustrated with both the feel and tone I was getting. I didn't feel like I could get the sound I was hearing in my head. Everything changed when I discovered flats - in my case GHS Precision Flats.

I have since branched out and now favor TI Jazz Rounds although I still keep a bass strung with flats for when I want that upright tone, and another with more traditional nickel rounds.

Since we don't have your ears or fingers, we can't recommend the right strings for you. But I can tell you that string choice makes a HUGE difference in the feel, tone and playability of the bass.

If I were in your position now, I'd look for used short scale strings of various types in the TB classifieds. Try some rounds, some flats, some tapes, half-rounds etc. of different brands until you figure out what works for you and your bass.

 

[Brudford]

Regardless of what strings you settle on, just make sure you’re installing them correctly - bass string installation is different from guitar string installation.

Please explain , how so is installation different from a six string guitar as I am interested in the technique used . I have taught myself how to change classical guitar strings tying the knot at the end , change strings on my open back banjo used for Clawhammer style and change string on my
mandolin .
Would have thought a bass guitar would be pretty straight forward . Thanks

 

[Brudford]

OP here , I just watched a tutorial on YouTube on changing Bass guitar strings yes definitely different, I never knew about the slot and hole in each
peg and how to cut the end of the string measuring two peg lengths thanks again for the warning .

 

[Buck_BassMan94]

La Bella flat sounds are pure joy to play. I know others have said that but I highly recommend them. Just my two cents.

 

[MtManiac]

OP here , I just watched a tutorial on YouTube on changing Bass guitar strings yes definitely different, I never knew about the slot and hole in each
peg and how to cut the end of the string measuring two peg lengths thanks again for the warning .

The correct bass string installation method applies downward pressure on the string towards the headstock, increasing the string angle beyond the nut, so you don’t have rattling strings or weird intonation changes with temperature changes.

A common mistake is assuming bass is “the same as guitar, just bigger”. I’ve seen a lot of basses owned by guitar players done this way.

Not sure if the video you watched mentioned to also crimp the string first and trim it beyond the crimp - this helps ensure the winding doesn’t come unwound.

And yes, that happens. In over 40 years of playing, the only bass strings that have broken on me were the big fat E strings, and each one simply became unwound - in my cases, they became unwound at the bridge, due to my having previously removed and then re-installed them on a different bass, which I also recommend not doing.

At least they don’t go “sproing” when they break and take out an eyeball, they just go slack while you’re playing and then stick to the pickup magnets.

I did one time take a bass in to a shop for a string install and set up. The tech was very experienced with guitars, but not so much with basses, as was apparent because he didn’t know how a preamp worked. I got it back and the B string was rattling. It sounded like the first four frets were low and rattling against the 5th fret when I played. He was certain the neck was twisted or possibly needed a fret leveling. I paid for a fret leveling, and the problem persisted.

Turned out, he managed to break the core of the string *inside the winding*, also due to not crimping the string first. Another far more experienced tech diagnosed that - I was as stymied as the guy who broke it. Changed the B string, properly, and it was as good as gold. Did not get my money back though, as I eventually got the correct setup, as well as a fret leveling. But they’re not getting any more service business from me.