Hi do I need a short scale a medium or long is fine too?
It would also be nice to hear brand advice for rounds.
It would also be nice to hear brand advice for rounds.
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What strings for an american performer mustang?
- Thread starter Leonid Nidis
- Start date
For the thru-body Mustang, you need around 34" in winding length (ball end to silk/taper), which is most manufacturers' "medium scale". The notable exception is DR "short scale", which is 33.75".
Thanks,fender website says the factory strings are short scale but for other through bridge mustangs they list long scale strings.
Dont know if its a mistake but its a bit confusing.
"Short scale" if top-loaded; "medium scale' if put thru-body. Does the American Performer Mustang have both options?
Both DR Hi Beams (stainless steel) and DR Sunbeams (nickel-plated steel) come in their "short scale" with 33.75" winding length, which should be good for thru-body.
Two NPS rounds with two different tonal characters and playing feel... It will be an interesting comparison. Please make sure to report back.
I'd have to agree with michael_t. A top-loaded Mustang should be able to get away with "normal" short scale strings. But, some Mustangs can't be strung that way; so, with a few noted exceptions, medium scale strings are what you'd need. Fender lists long scale strings for through-body Mustangs because Fender (as far as I know) doesn't have medium scale strings. So, yeah - you can make long scale strings work, too... As for brand advice for round wounds? Don't ask me; I avoid round wound strings like the plague. The only ones I voluntarily use are; short scale GHS Bass Boomers on a headless Kramer Duke; and "short scale" TI Jazz Rounds on a Gretsch Broadkaster. My 21 other basses all have flats or tapes on them...
I understand,its about winding length,they are different and some brands dont list them(GHS and DR do).View attachment 3900631 View attachment 3900634 I'd have to agree with michael_t. A top-loaded Mustang should be able to get away with "normal" short scale strings. But, some Mustangs can't be strung that way; so, with a few noted exceptions, medium scale strings are what you'd need. Fender lists long scale strings for through-body Mustangs because Fender (as far as I know) doesn't have medium scale strings. So, yeah - you can make long scale strings work, too... As for brand advice for round wounds? Don't ask me; I avoid round wound strings like the plague. The only ones I voluntarily use are; short scale GHS Bass Boomers on a headless Kramer Duke; and "short scale" TI Jazz Rounds on a Gretsch Broadkaster. My 21 other basses all have flats or tapes on them...
Im glad I asked cos once I used a a long scale strings(elixir) on a regular through body long scale bass(g&l l2500)
and the winding fell on the nut.
I tried the dr short scale sunbeams very floppy,mellow.
Length wise they are perfect for through body mustang.
The Ghs boomers medium scale are just right sound wise for me.
Very open sounding,also mellow and less harmonically rich than the sunbeams but they suit me better as this bass gets bright enough as is.
Length wise the E string a bit too long and some of the fat part beyond the silk is wrapped around the tuner but I haven't had problems with it yet.
I also installed DR high beams on a gibson SG and that cleared the naturally muddy sound a lot but the trade off is in warmth.
Next the high beams should go on the mustang.
Length wise they are perfect for through body mustang.
The Ghs boomers medium scale are just right sound wise for me.
Very open sounding,also mellow and less harmonically rich than the sunbeams but they suit me better as this bass gets bright enough as is.
Length wise the E string a bit too long and some of the fat part beyond the silk is wrapped around the tuner but I haven't had problems with it yet.
I also installed DR high beams on a gibson SG and that cleared the naturally muddy sound a lot but the trade off is in warmth.
Next the high beams should go on the mustang.
