Transition from Flats to Rounds

Rama · #1 12-20-2009, 02:39 PM

Hey there guys,

I am wondering when bass guitars came standard with roundwound strings, was it immediatly after it was invented, or was it more like a slow transition?

Just being curious.

ogrossman · #2 12-20-2009, 02:42 PM

It probably came about as soon as round wounds were the cheapest strings they could put on a bass

Pilgrim · #3 12-20-2009, 03:05 PM

I wasn't playing during the period, but I believe the change came in the 70's. I know that flats were the default through the 60's.

I'm sure someone will correct me.

mccartneyman · #4 12-20-2009, 03:08 PM

Although John Entwistle used rounds in the mid-60s, they didn't become all the rage until Yes broke through, along with ELP, in the early '70s. After "Fragile," everybody wanted Rotosounds.

One Drop · #5 12-21-2009, 01:52 AM

Even Fender shipped flats on their basses until the later half of the '70s. JTE here would know the exact dates, he sold them at the time.

fretlessguy · #6 12-22-2009, 09:25 AM

Rounds were one of things that seemed to be invented about the same time in a couple of places. Of course Rotosound had theirs, and rounds were also developed in the U.S. for the Danelctro basses and guitars at the time or a little earlier. As stated above, they were not popular till a few more years.