11s are the sweet spot for a Mustang.

Yes, 11s. The Mustang’s 24-inch scale makes everything feel looser, so 10s will flop under your fingers and 12s might feel like bridge cables. For Julia Jacklin’s fingerpicking—open chords, melodic lines, that Carter-family-meets-1990s-indie vibe—you need enough tension to let the notes ring clean without buzzing.

Most of her recorded tone comes from a nylon-string acoustic, but if you’re translating those patterns to electric, 11-49 or 11-50 gives you the clarity and resistance to pull off hammer-ons and pull-offs without fighting the guitar. It also stays in tune better when you bend behind the nut or play up the neck.

Go with a round-core set if you want a little more snap. D’Addario XL115s are the boring, reliable pick.