Brands of Flats Available in the Sixties?

[Tusec]

Well I've gone and done it. Twenty years of playing guitar and I never had more than one guitar at a time. I start playing bass six weeks ago and now I've got two of them -- I just bought an old MIJ Squier Precision to go along with my MIM Jazz 62RI. So now I need some good thumpy flats to put on the P.

My question is which brands were available in the 1960's? I'd like to put an old school set on it rather than Chromes (which I have on my J and like a lot) or TI's.

Was it pretty much Fenders and Rotosounds back in the day?

[Honk'n_down-low]

Originally Posted by Tusec

Well I've gone and done it. Twenty years of playing guitar and I never had more than one guitar at a time. I start playing bass six weeks ago and now I've got two of them -- I just bought an old MIJ Squier Precision to go along with my MIM Jazz 62RI. So now I need some good thumpy flats to put on the P.

My question is which brands were available in the 1960's? I'd like to put an old school set on it rather than Chromes (which I have on my J and like a lot) or TI's.

Was it pretty much Fenders and Rotosounds back in the day?

Thomastik, Labella and Pyramid too

[GM60466]

LaBella, GHS came in 64 or 65, they private labeled strings for Gibson and Kay. Vinci made Fender's flats.

[Tusec]

Thanks much for the info. I might just get a set of Fender flats. Who is making Fender's strings these days?

[Pilgrim]

If you want a 60's sound, Labellas (my pick is Deep Talkin' Flats) will do it. I find the Jamerson set way too heavy gauge for me. Give flats about 30 days to settle in before you judge them. They get better with more time.

[Tusec]

Well I'll take a look at the Labellas too then. Maybe I'll let the price decide it. I'd like to stay with 50-105 so I don't have to widen the slots.

[9mmMike]

I have Fender flats on a VM TB and Rotosounds on a Sting. IMHO, the TI's feel and sound better for an "old school" sound. Of course you may not agree but, so far, I like those best. The other flats have a coated feeling to me. I like the TI's enough that I bought a second set for another bass. I did not know they were available in the 60's but I guess it makes sense since Fender puts them on the Pino's.

[Dragan]

Originally Posted by Tusec

I just bought an old MIJ Squier Precision to go along with my MIM Jazz 62RI.
Was it pretty much Fenders and Rotosounds back in the day?

I dont know about MIM jazz re 62? it's an american series bass. mexican makes '60 RE...but OK, you need to check La Bella orig 1954 set 52-110 flats for sure (Jamerson set) those strings are great! goes either with jazz or P!

[jasper383]

Originally Posted by Tusec

Thanks much for the info. I might just get a set of Fender flats. Who is making Fender's strings these days?

Fender winds their own in Mexico, using USA parts.

[eyecandy]

LaBellas are way to go on the old school thumpy tone.. but the problem is its rather hard to find gauges... and they're pricey... alternate options are GHS and DRs