Which Strings Fit My Bass?

Guide: Find the Correct Scale Set for Your Bass

Knowing your bass’ “scale length” alone is not enough information to purchase the correct set of strings; i.e., basses with tailpieces usually require different scale sets than the instrument’s actual scale length.

Determining your bass’ required “string wound length” is key BEFORE you purchase a set from ANY string manufacturer.

How to Figure Out the “String Wound Length” Your Bass Requires:

On your bass, measure the distance from the ball-end to just past the nut. You may need to remove the string if it goes through the body/back of the bass.

Then use our guide below to determine the correct set for your bass:

Short Scale Set:
Medium Scale Set:
Standard/Long Scale Set:
Extra Long Scale Set:

32 ¼” Wound Length
34 ¼” Wound Length
36 ¾” or 37” Wound Length
38″ Wound Length

STRING WOUND LENGTH
a.k.a. the distance from the ball-end to where the silk/taper begins

Note the Following:

The silk/taper should start AFTER the nut.

ONLY the silk/tapered portion of the string should wrap around the tuner; otherwise, the strings may break.

If stringing through the body of the bass, purchase the “through-body” version e.g., 760FS-TB (4-string) or 760FS-B-TB (5-string). Only available in standard long scale.

Round Wound and Super Polished strings CAN be strung through the body.

Höfner® “Beatle” basses (and similar models) require La Bella “Beatle” bass strings: 760FHB2, 760FHBB, 760RHBB, 760NHBB. Short scale strings will NOT fit these basses.

Fender® Mustang® basses now come in two types:

Vintage Through-Body Models: Use our “STANG” series, e.g., 760F-MUS, 760SP-MUS

Top-Loading Models: Use any short scale set, e.g., 760FS-S, LTF-4A-S

Please email info@labella.com with specific questions about your bass.

Höfner® is a registered trademark of Karl Höfner GmbH & Co. KG
Fender® and Mustang® are registered trademarks of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation

Deep Talkin' Bass™

FLAT WOUND & TAPE WOUND STRING SPECIFICATIONS

Distance from Ball-End to Silk

La Bella STANDARD/LONG Scale Set (e.g. 760FS, 760N, 0760M)

1st (G): 38"
2nd (D): 38"
3rd(A): 38"
4th(E): 36 ¾”
5th(Low B): 36 ¾”
6th(High C): 38"

La Bella MEDIUM Scale Set (e.g. 760FS-M)

1st (G): 34 ¼”
2nd (D): 34 ¼”
3rd(A): 34 ¼”
4th(E): 34 ¼”
5th(Low B): 34 ¼”
6th(High C): 34 ¼”

La Bella SHORT Scale Set (e.g. 760FS-S, 760N-S)

1st (G): 32 ¼”
2nd (D): 32 ¼”
3rd(A): 32 ¼”
4th(E): 32 ¼”
5th(Low B): 32 ¼”
6th(High C): 32 ¼”

La Bella EXTRA LONG Scale Set (e.g. 760FL-XL, 760T-XL)

1st (G): 38"
2nd (D): 38"
3rd(A): 38"
4th(E): 38"
5th(Low B): 38"
6th(High C): 38"

La Bella THROUGH-BODY Standard/Long Scale Set (e.g. 760FS-TB)

1st (G): 38”
2nd (D): 38”
3rd(A): 38”
4th(E): 37 ¼”
5th(Low B): 37 ¼”
6th(High C): 38”

LOW TENSION FLATSTM , OLINTOTM FLATS & SUPER POLISHED

STRING SPECIFICATIONS

Distance from Ball-End to Silk

LTF-4A, OSF-4, SP-47107, ASP-45-103

1st (G): 37”
2nd (D): 37”
3rd (A): 37”
4th (E): 37”
5th (Low B): 37”

LTF-4A-S Short Scale Set

1st (G): 32 ¼”
2nd (D): 32 ¼”
3rd (A): 32 ¼”
4th (E): 32 ¼”

LTF-4A-M Medium Scale Set

1st (G): 34 ¼”
2nd (D): 34 ¼”
3rd (A): 34 ¼”
4th (E): 34 ¼”

LTF-4A-XL & LTF-5A-XL Extra Long Scale: 4-String & 5-String Sets

1st (G): 38”
2nd (D): 38”
3rd (A): 38”
4th (E): 38”
5th (Low B): 38”

ROUND WOUND STRING SPECIFICATIONS

Distance from Ball-End to Taper (or Silk)

La Bella STANDARD/LONG Scale Set (e.g. RX-N4D)

1st (G): No Taper, Wound Full Length 48”
2nd (D): 38”
3rd (A): 38”
4th (E): 37”
5th (Low B): 37”
6th (High C): No Taper, Wound Full Length 48”

La Bella SHORT Scale Set

1st (G): No Taper, Wound Full Length 48”
2nd (D): 32 ¼”
3rd (A): 32 ¼”
4th (E): 32 ¼”
5th (Low B): 32 ¼”
6th (High C): No Taper, Wound Full Length 48”

La Bella MEDIUM Scale Set

1st (G): No Taper, Wound Full Length 48”
2nd (D): 34 ¼”
3rd (A): 34 ¼”
4th (E): 34 ¼”
5th (Low B): 34 ¼”
6th (High C): No Taper, Wound Full Length 48”

La Bella EXTRA LONG Scale Set

1st (G): No Taper, Wound Full Length 48”
2nd (D): 38”
3rd (A): 38”
4th (E): 38”
5th (Low B): 38”
6th (High C): No Taper, Wound Full Length 48”