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Recommedation on Fender Mustang Strings

S

Sanyi

Nov 5, 2005
2
1
#1
Hello,

I am currently playing a 1976 Fender Mustang Bass. The strings have never been changed, and now, I am looking to change them. I would like to keep as close to the same strings as I have now on there. It is a short scale (30') bass, and the gauges are .04, .06, .075, and .095. These are the gauges that are given on the Fender website for the reissue of the Mustang bass, and I believe they are correct. I would like to know what type of strings I should buy for my bass. Thanks.
 
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#2
Flatwounds.

Unfortunately, I don't think Fender make short-scale flatwounds (did they ever?).
The reissue Mustang comes with the stock Fender roundwounds. IMO, they don't suit the mustang vibe at all, being very metallic sounding. Personally, I like Pyramid flatwounds, although I haven't tried them on a Mustang.
 
#4
After reading a bunch of these posts about stringing the mustang, I've narrowed the choice for new strings to these three:

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I haven't tried any other strings than the fender short scales, so I'd like to hear comments about these. I'm (obviously) looking for a deeper tone... The La Bella's would have the best tone(?), but is the gauge too much? Rotosounds have a lighter gauge than the fender short's (.40-.95), so will the D'Addario's have a better tone? I'm guessing these strings fit the mustang being medium scale sets. Will these set's be floppier than the fender set? I play mainly rock/pop and I don't slap at all, so recommend something, please? :)
 
#6
I found these to be good strings for the Mustang. They fall somewhere between a roundwound and a flat, leaning toward a roundwound sound a little more without being too bright. Make sure you get them in medium scale(string through body).
 
#7
Hello,
good thread and just what I am looking for.
I have a mid 70's Mustang which I bought about 15 years ago...and just started playing bass in a West Coast/Chicago band ..think "Hoy Hoy" .

Don't use picks and strings haven't been changed for 15 years which is fine as it sat around unplayed but I am loosing any tone/vol on the G .

I have tried altering pup height but I suspect that string guage could help.

Any thoughts ?

adios,
Houndog
 
#9
Appreciated,
as I am new to the bass strings, are these still good for the Mustang s/scale.

Also if I read the sizes right , that bass G is in the same size zone as the accoustic bottom E I use...a progression indeed ;)

adios,
Houndog
 
#11
If I remember correctly, the original Mustang has flatwound strings. Does anyone have an idea of what stings made today come the closest to the originals?

I don't know how authentic these sound, but La Bella has a 760F-Mus, flatwound stainless steel, 043w 060w 082w 104w, Mustang scale length of ~30"
 
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#12
Sanyi said:
Hello,

I am currently playing a 1976 Fender Mustang Bass. The strings have never been changed, and now, I am looking to change them. I would like to keep as close to the same strings as I have now on there. It is a short scale (30') bass, and the gauges are .04, .06, .075, and .095. These are the gauges that are given on the Fender website for the reissue of the Mustang bass, and I believe they are correct. I would like to know what type of strings I should buy for my bass. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Hi Andrew,
Your Mustang Bass more than likely did come with flat wounds. I've even seen some with black nylon tape flat wound as well--a long time ago. Flat wounds were standard on pretty much all basses until about the mid-70's when round wounds came out and eclipsed them in popularity. Rounds seem to work better for hard rock and metal. Well, I guess I'm just old school, but I love hearing James Jamerson (on P-Bass) on the old Motown hits of the 60's, as well as surf and hotrod music of that time.

Flat wounds for short scale basses are now hard to find, but are out there, you just have to be persistent in your search. The only ones I've been able to find are D'Addario XL Chromes, p/n ECB81S, .045, .065, .080, and .100. They do the job for me and I really like them. I can't remember what I paid, but they were very reasonable. I can understand your wanting to remain as close to the size of the OEM strings, but that may be difficult, considering availability. I admittedly am a whole lot newer to bass than electric six string which I played for decades. On bass, I haven't heard a whole lot of complaints of problems from changing string size, not to the extent that you can get say, with a Telecaster or Stratocaster. Bass nuts seem more forgiving than those on six strings. I've found basses easier to set up than six strings. It's not really all that hard. You might have to adjust your action a tad and make sure that your neck relief is still plausible, but I don't foresee you having a whole lot of problem from changing string size. I had my Precision Bass set up, then went to flat wounds of a different size without any problems.

Best regards and success!
 
#13
Andrew B. said:
If I remember correctly, the original Mustang has flatwound strings. Does anyone have an idea of what stings made today come the closest to the originals?

I don't know how authentic these sound, but La Bella has a 760F-Mus, flatwound stainless steel, 043w 060w 082w 104w, Mustang scale length of ~30"
Click to expand...
Those are what I use on my JMJ Mustang and really dig the tone.

From LaBella:
The 760F-MUS set is made specifically for basses with 30" scale where strings are strung through the body. The winding length from ball-end to silk is 33.25".
  • Stainless Steel Flat Wound; hand-polished for incredibly smooth finish
  • Specifically designed for 30" scale basses with "thru-body" design. THIS SET DOES NOT WORK WITH NEW MODELS THAT HAVE TOP LOAD BRIDGES. Top loading models take any La Bella short scale set.
  • Winding Length / length from ball-end to silk: 34"
  • Light Tension
  • String Gauges: .043, .060, .082, .104
  • Made in the USA with American Wire
 
Last edited:
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#15
basserina said:
After reading a bunch of these posts about stringing the mustang, I've narrowed the choice for new strings to these three...

I haven't tried any other strings than the fender short scales, so I'd like to hear comments about these. I'm (obviously) looking for a deeper tone... The La Bella's would have the best tone(?), but is the gauge too much? Rotosounds have a lighter gauge than the fender short's (.40-.95), so will the D'Addario's have a better tone? I'm guessing these strings fit the mustang being medium scale sets. Will these set's be floppier than the fender set? I play mainly rock/pop and I don't slap at all, so recommend something, please? :)
Click to expand...

Here's the deal: you've never changed these strings since Jesus walked on water and from your questions you seem to think you're going to find "the" set to take the place of the old ones by asking a bunch of strangers to help you. Let me be straight with you - IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN - probably. You've been living in string purgatory for a long time so make the most of it and don't be afraid to explore/experiment. You may find something that outshines those old strings. Besides, you can share your findings with the next TB'r who finds him/herself in this situation. You can even offer to send them the strings you don't like. :thumbsup:
 
#20
Sanyi said:
Hello,

I am currently playing a 1976 Fender Mustang Bass. The strings have never been changed, and now, I am looking to change them. I would like to keep as close to the same strings as I have now on there. It is a short scale (30') bass, and the gauges are .04, .06, .075, and .095. These are the gauges that are given on the Fender website for the reissue of the Mustang bass, and I believe they are correct. I would like to know what type of strings I should buy for my bass. Thanks.
Click to expand...
If it's a through body Mustang, you'll want a medium scale length. These are made specifically for the Fender through body Mustang.
La Bella
760F-MUS Flat Wound Mustang 30' Scale 4-String Bass Set
 
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