Flatwounds for a beatle bass?

BassCajon · #1 10-22-2012, 11:22 AM

Another thread for this, but i haven't really found too many answers on my searches. Hopefully you guys can help.

I have Brownsville Beatle bass that i love to play.
It's actually a copy of the Epiphone Viola bass (learned this recently).
So I broke the E and D on the original set of strings on it which I tried to salvage for as long as I could. They were flatwounds with black wraps. Not too light of a gauge.
I'd love to find the same strings again, but I have no clue what they were! Any help with this?

As for replacements, I don't like chromes at all tension wise, and the TI flats are a bit too spendy for me.
What would you recommend? I know to get medium scale.
Labella? GHS? I'd like something really smooth.
Thanks!

Mr.Fingers · #2 10-22-2012, 11:27 AM

The Höfner strings are made by Pyramid, so a set of Pyramid-Gold strings seem to be the way to go. Downside is that they are kinda expensive (even here in Europe, although they're European made), and they're kinda coarsly polished. Good news is they sound really good, and have a nice tension (not that hard as laBella, but not as soft as Thomastik Infeld)

The black wrapped flatwounds, they could be GHS-strings.

Pilgrim · #3 10-22-2012, 11:35 AM

There are plenty of threads on this. Labella Hofner flats are the classic string for that style of bass. The bass requires medium scale strings because of the tailpiece design, and they're made to fit and they last forever.

radiowavesurfer · #4 10-23-2012, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Fingers

Pyramid-Gold strings ... and they're kinda coarsly polished.

I've had flats made by Fender, GHS, TI, Roto, D'Addario and Picato, and my experience is that Pyramid Golds have a smoother finish than any of those. If I got a set from them with a rough finish, I'd be wanting to have it replaced.

fretless Bob · #5 10-23-2012, 04:38 AM

labella make a beatle bass set, i have them on my hofner, they sound and feel great

Dave

gary m · #6 10-23-2012, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Fingers

The Höfner strings are made by Pyramid, so a set of Pyramid-Gold strings seem to be the way to go.

Hofner strings, made by Pyramid, are the way to go. Nothing else feels or sounds the same.

Pimpernel Smith · #7 10-23-2012, 11:10 AM

Hofner flats are great. Thomastik-infeld Jazz flats 32 inch are great.
Pyramid short scale are also excellent.

Waldo19 · #8 10-23-2012, 11:46 AM

I use the La'Bella Deep Talkin' Flats "Hofner Beatle Bass" 760FHBB strings on my 500/1.

I would highly recommend them for your Beatle Bass.

**mjac28** · #9 10-23-2012, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waldo19

I use the La'Bella Deep Talkin' Flats "Hofner Beatle Bass" 760FHBB strings on my 500/1.

I would highly recommend them for your Beatle Bass.

+1 these are great strings I recently bought some Pyramid Golds they sound incredible but they were 60.00 U.S

Bassamatic · #10 10-23-2012, 12:03 PM

I have the T.I. Hofner flats on my Club bass - it is hard to imagine anything better.

Please be sure that you get strings that are made expressly for the Hofner bass. The neck is very easy to warp with standard type string tension.

gary m · #11 10-23-2012, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassamatic

I have the T.I. Hofner flats on my Club bass - it is hard to imagine anything better.

Please be sure that you get strings that are made expressly for the Hofner bass. The neck is very easy to warp with standard type string tension.

I tried those...in fact, I have the set in a drawer somewhere. I had a very hard time fitting the E string into the tuning capstan because the strings aren't tapered like the Hofner strings are. Other than that, they were...different...almost too floppy and limp.

DavyR · #12 10-24-2012, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassamatic

I have the T.I. Hofner flats on my Club bass - it is hard to imagine anything better.

Please be sure that you get strings that are made expressly for the Hofner bass. The neck is very easy to warp with standard type string tension.

"Made for the Hofner bass" isn't a guarantee! LaBella 'round wounds' mades for the Hofner bass are high tension, IME, as are Pyramid flats made to fit Hofner basses.

BassCajon · #13 10-25-2012, 09:47 PM

Thanks yall.
I might also consider a set of black tape wound strings for this bass. Any recommendations for a smooth set of those? I know how to adjust the nut and I like the feel of a bigger string anyway.
The Pyramids sound like they'd be great as do the Labellas. I was also considering GHS flats but I might try those on a p-bass.

RobbieNuke · #14 10-25-2012, 10:00 PM

I have a Jay Turser copy myself. Several of these 30" short scale basses (Guild Starfire for one) actually need 32" medium scale strings because of the tailpiece design (i.e the extra length from the string anchor to the saddle/bridge assembly).

I went for the compressed (GHS Bright Flats) or ground wound round (D'Addario) versions instead of the flats... a little extra brightness and I like the feel better.

Be sure that whatever strings you pick will fit through the anchor... my Jay Turser would was not cut large enough for the .108" GHS E-string, but would take the .100 D'Addario E-string.

BassCajon · #15 02-24-2013, 10:08 PM

Meant to get back to this.
I chose these. And after giving it a good setup and a couple of minor repairs, this bass is back.

Cleaner and brighter than my old strings. which I kinda miss. haha.
And I like the tension. They feel great.
Looking forward to putting this guy through it's paces again.