Somewhat hilariously (to me), I'm 99% certain that is the guy I bought the bass off.  Can't believe it's happened again.

I was midway though a rehearsal and realised by string had fallen out of place, with the spring and screw completely missing.  No idea where they might have fallen out, but can't find them anywhere, so need to source a replacement ASAP.  It's a JMJ bass.

I read somewhere that these would be compatible, but it when they arrived, it appears that the screw is, by my guess, one size too big.

'Allparts GS 0010 Replacement Screws Kit P/J 005 Bridge and Small Parts for Electric Guitar

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07BHSL8Q2?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Can anyone help?

Thanks for the help since the last time I posted - it's a lot to take in for my non-tech brain, but it's all been useful so far.

Ok, so 30" scale, but I measured the G string already on the bass and it's 39.5" in total.  Do you think that is the correct overall length for this bass or too much?  I'd prefer not to cut whatever I get as I've heard of unravelling issues, but you've said these can be avoid - I hope the person doing the setup will be ok with this.  I wondered if the strings originally on it were too long, as you can see on the original machine heads:

What do others think I should get - medium or long scale strings?

And if I wanted the same feel as GHS 45-90 roundwound boomers on this bass, what would you recommend?

All suggestions much appreciated. 

Taking a closer look now.

This is how the nut to saddles measures.  Not sure at what point I'm to measure to, though?

3 hours ago, gary mac said:

 

 

So if this bass is roughly 33" or just under, will long scale strings do the job, as opposed to super long scale?

Also, will any 2L 2R bass machine heads do the job?

As my Mustang uses  GHS Precision Flatwound Stainless 45-95 Medium Scale Bass Boomers 3120 - 34.5" Winding - which I like...

....and I tried out the JMJ Mustang which uses 45-100 (short scale) - which I found a little too chunky....

...could Chromes 45-100 long scale be a good shout, to be comparable to the GHS on the Mustang, except on this longer scale bass?  Would really like to get something that feels and plays similar.

I'm also seeing positive reviews for these strings which come at a more affordable price - can anyone vouch for them?

Fender Stainless 9050's Flatwounds

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00389KMQM/?coliid=I1EGL8ZN3J8UIM&colid=V8E709IS1GVU&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

17 minutes ago, gary mac said:

Not the most knowledgable guitar shops, if they couldn't identify the scale length.

Measure from the fretboard side of the nut to the saddle and report back here 👍

If I've done it correctly, then it looks roughly 33".

Yesterday I got hold of a Jolana Basso IX, which I believe is in need of only a small amount of work.  Firstly, it had been fitted with regular guitar tuners rather than bass ones, so firstly I need to replace those asap.  I am on a tight budget as it is, so what entry level but acceptable enough machine heads can I buy (I'm in the UK) which will work?

Also, as I'll be paying for a setup, I want to take the opportunity to put on flatwound strings which are similar in feel to my Squire Mustang Mikey Way, which has 45-90 GHS Flats on it.  This is the part where I get confused, as I am not sure which string gauge to buy as the scale will be different, but I understand there are differences in tensions between roundwounds and flatwounds.  I would very much like to get this right first time as the string appear not to be cheap.  I don't want to go too heavy a gague and be stuck with the strings I don't like, but obviously have to make sure they are not too light, although light is what I prefer.  So I guess I am looking for something comparable to the GHS boomer flats on what appears to be a full (or medium?) bass.

I took the bass to two guitar shops today and one said they thought it was medium scale and the other said he thought I needed long scale.  I said I was wary about needing to cut the strings as I've heard flatwounds can unravel, and I think he told me that this only applies to the winding, so he told me to avoid a brand which has this material where I would wind the strings.  So would that make sense, unless someone can recommend me exactly the correct length of strings for this bass?  It's roughly 33" from nut to where the string enters.

Any advice would be appreciated.  I have someone who will help me with the setup itself but I need to source the machine heads and the strings myself.

I have a spare bass in the form of an early 80s Squire Precision bass with a more modern Jazz neck attached - 35".  I'm looking to buy a set of Labella or GHS flatwounds for this bass which would be comparable to my other bass, which is a Mustang with 45-90 GHS Medium Scale Bass boomers, 3120 - 34.5" winding.

What gauge of strings would you recommend to get a similar feel on this larger bass?  I'm happy with how the GHS play, sound and feel on the Mustang.

Any thoughts about the black tapes needing to 'break in', tonally, like regular strings?

Thanks for all the tips. My strings arrived today and while my bass is badly in need of a setup, I've added the strings just to hear the sound. Have to say, I'm surprised at how [i]bright [/i]everything sounds, I was kind of expecting something a little darker out of the box, similar to how the La Bella boomer flats did on the Mustang. Do tapewounds need breaking in the same way regular strings do, in terms of tone?

Do you reckon the strings will be long enough?

[quote name='walbassist' timestamp='1467726329' post='3085651']
Standard long scale La Bellas are 37" from ball to start of the silks, so suggest you measure your bass to see if they fit.
[/quote]

I've got 37" from ball end to threading.

Thanks. Does this feel in any way textured?

[quote name='Emanew' timestamp='1467724592' post='3085637']
As you are playing Labella 45-95, if you want to find a known feeling, i think it is better to choose 60-115. The strings are bigger (especially 115 E string) but the tension can compared to 45-105 standart rounds or 45-95 standart flats.
Bigger strings also give warmer, darker notes. I am fond of that
[/quote]

Of course, the Mustang is a short scale bass and the Precision with Jazz neck is 35". How much difference to you think the 60-115 would be in comparison to the lower set? Super long scale I presume would be required?

My concern is just that the heavier strings would be harder to play, as non-seasoned bassist.

[quote name='Emanew' timestamp='1467716645' post='3085552']
When i ordered my Labella black nylon strings, i took a 50-105 gauge as i thought it would be like a standart roundwounds gauge feel.
But Black nylons are designed and built differently so my advice, if you come from roundwounds, would be to choose a 60-115 gauge to refind the same tension.
I like to play my labella black nylons 50-105 gauge but it is a little too flexible for me.
I hope it will help
[/quote]

To be honest, my Precision bass has been unplayed for about a year and has some aged roundwounds on it. I'm not sure of the gauge, though I'm guessing light. I've been playing my Mustang since and a month ago added La Bella 45-95 flats, which appear to be perfect for now - that bass is all I've played since. I'm looking to ditch roundwounds entirely. Do you think that the higher gauge will be OK? I'm a little reluctant as I've only just entered into regular bass playing - other than the occasional play through for a demo - and have struggled to feel comfortable with some heavier strings in the past. I've heard elsewhere that this heavier gauge actually feel lighter, but I'd need a bit of convincing first, really.

I'm definitely after something which has a feel far more comparable to regular flats than roundwound. I think I'll be making an order for black fairly soon.

Thanks for that. Trouble I've had with youtube is that there's an abundance of fretless fingerstyle players - quite different to what I'm all about, but the above post makes me think it has to be black for me.

Urgh, I should have posted this in the accessories forum. Sorry about that.

I'm not a regular bassist so I was unaware there were that many La Bella Tapewound options to chose from. I now have no idea whatsoever! Perhaps there's too much choice - it'll have to be a wild stab in the dark, it seems....

Having made a more than successful switch from the stock rounds to La Bella flatwounds on my Mustang bass, I'm now toying with now delving into the world of Tapewounds for my spare (80s Squire Precision bass with Jazz neck). The smooth feel of the flats has changed everything for me, coupled with the desired sound - can't help but want to know modify my older model. I've been interested in Tapewounds for a while and the extra smoothness seems to be very much an important bonus of whatever sound I would be likely to achieve. The reason I ask is for a couple of reasons - I see La Bella offer white or black Tapewounds. My initial thought was to go for the black ones, really just to have an unusual look - but would black work over a rosewood neck and a red/brown tortoiseshell scratch plate with black body? And the 'white' ones - are they truly white or really just appear to be silver in reality? I saw a review on Youtube and he claimed the 'white' strings were smoother than the black - any thoughts on this? As I'd be hoping the strings would last me a long time, I would very much like to get this right first time, so what do others here think?

I took off the stock E string from my bass and measured it from the ball end to the other side - it's about 39 inches. Is that even medium scale? Now confused.

Would this fit? Looks alright to me.

[url="http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/strings-c1/bass-guitar-strings-sets-c34/stainless-steel-sets-c238/ghs-ghs-precision-flatwound-stainless-45-95-medium-scale-bass-boomers-3120-34-5-winding-p9183"]http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/strings-c1/bass-guitar-strings-sets-c34/stainless-steel-sets-c238/ghs-ghs-precision-flatwound-stainless-45-95-medium-scale-bass-boomers-3120-34-5-winding-p9183[/url]

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1452105468' post='2946499']
Both the Roto Jazz Bass and the GHS are medium scale which usually means 32". I cannot guarantee it but I would expect both will likely fit the Mustang.

If you email Rotosound and GHS asking the speaking length if those strings then you can measure the Mustang and know in advance. Otherwise there is always a risk.
[/quote]

I emailed GHS and got no response, so I think I might just take the risk. It does say 31"-32" though. Thanks for the advice - hope they are what I'm looking for.

This is proving to be a real head-scratcher. I wonder if what I have to is just go for the LaBella flats even though I'm not sure I'm going to like the added thickness, merely due to the recommendations from everywhere and the fact they have a set designed especially for Mustangs. Really just wanted something as close to a flatwound version of what I already have, though.

Unless of course, I do go for the GHS set, which are 45-95 plus:[list]
[*]Fits 31"-32" Scale Lengths
[/list]
Sound alright?