strings for hofner "beatle" bass??

[horak]

since the stock g-string feels and sounds different then the others (somehow "roundwoundish"), i've thought of replacing them with either la bella 760fx (or 760hbb?) or rotosound trubass... has anyone tried out both (or all three respectively), and could tell me which i should go for (all in all i like the sound of the stock strings, at least the e/a/d...). soundwise, are the trubass worth the change one has to make to saddle/bridge? i mean will they truly deliver that "come together" sound? thanks...

[WalterBush]

Whatever strings you pick, I think the real key is to let them age for a few years. No, really, the '68 Hofner I play occasionally has strings that are almost as old as me, and it nails Sir Paul's tone every time.

[horak]

well then, i'll just have wait for some decades my hofner is a 500/1 '63 reissue from 2005...

[Espidog]

Originally Posted by horak

since the stock g-string feels and sounds different then the others (somehow "roundwoundish"), i've thought of replacing them with either la bella 760fx (or 760hbb?) or rotosound trubass... has anyone tried out both (or all three respectively), and could tell me which i should go for (all in all i like the sound of the stock strings, at least the e/a/d...). soundwise, are the trubass worth the change one has to make to saddle/bridge? i mean will they truly deliver that "come together" sound? thanks...

Oh dear. Bad tidings. "Come Together" was recorded on Paul's Ric 4001. It's the tell-tale Ric sustain that gives it away. I play it on my 4003 and it sounds bang-on.

Nevertheless, if you want the authentic Macca Hofner plunk, you're well on track with LaBella. According to an interview he did with Bass Player Magazine, he favours: "La Bella Beatle Bass flatwounds, gauged .039, .056, .077, .096. His picks are heavy-gauge oversize Fenders. "

[MysticMichael]

FWIW, I've gathered that Pyramid Golds are also a great fit for a Hofner...

MM

[horak]

espidog, when i listen e.g. to the sgt.pepper record, that's for sure the ric, but i'm not quite certain w/ "come together". i also can pretty much achieve that sound on my hofner... and IMO the sound resembles the one on "don't let me down", and that's 100% hofner. but i know the common believe is that it was the 4001...

[Espidog]

Originally Posted by horak

espidog, when i listen e.g. to the sgt.pepper record, that's for sure the ric, but i'm not quite certain w/ "come together". i also can pretty much achieve that sound on my hofner... and IMO the sound resembles the one on "don't let me down", and that's 100% hofner. but i know the common believe is that it was the 4001...

Point taken. Heck, there's so much conflicting evidence for these sessions (even Macca can't remember), it could have been either of 'em - or none!

[JimmyM]

The funny thing about all this buiness about what basses McCartney uses is that it doesn't matter in the least. No matter what bass or strings he uses, he sounds like McCartney.

[FranF]

I've got Thomastik Jazz Flat JF324s on all three of my Hofners. '66 500/1, '94 Cavern and '01 V62. the best flats I've ever put on them.