Why this hasn't been done before baffles me. How many times have you played a bass in a store or borrowed a buddies bass and was curious of what kind of strings are on that bass when the only obvious identification is the string silk color. After trying other folks basses at a recent GTG, I was impressed with a P bass loaded with flats with light blue silks and wanted to try them on my P. I didn't know who's bass it was to ask what strings they're using. Many many TB searches later I couldn't find a clear answer. So I took a chance and bought a pack of flats that turned out to have different color silk windings. Through the process of deduction and trial & error, I now know the strings I tried at the GTG were D'addario Chromes.
My mistake is TB's gain! This has prompted me to catalogue the silk colors of strings I have used. With some contributions from other members we can make string identification easier. Hopefully this will grow to be a sticky worthy database.
Since manufacturers use similar colors I have tried to give a more specific description of the color in parenthesis, but I do not have a pack of crayola's in front of me to compare to so that is only an approximation. Consider also that silk colors fade over time becoming duller with less luster.
I have also included the exact model # of the string photographed to avoid any confusion, just in-case some manufacturer might use a different color silk on different gauge strings (none do that I know of).
ROTOSOUND 55 SOLO BASS
Silk Color: Green (forest green)
Silked @ ball end: Yes
String Type: Stainless Steel pressure wound
Specific model referenced: SM55 (.100 'E' string)
ROTOSOUND 66 SWING BASS
Silk Color: Red (Flyer wagon red)
Silked @ ball end: Yes
String Type: Stainless Steel roundwound
Specific model referenced: RS66LC (.095 'E' string)
GHS BOOMERS
Silk Color: Red (metallic luster, fire engine red)
Silked @ ball end: No
String Type: Nickle plated roundwound
Specific model referenced: M3045 (.105 'E' string)
GHS Precision Flats
Silk Color: Purple (magenta hue purple)
Silked @ ball end: No
String Type: Stainless Steel flatwound
Specific model referenced: 3025 (.095 'E' string)
Fender 7250
Silk Color: Black
Silked @ ball end: Yes
String Type: Nickle plated roundwound
Specific model referenced: 7250M (.105 'E' string)
My mistake is TB's gain! This has prompted me to catalogue the silk colors of strings I have used. With some contributions from other members we can make string identification easier. Hopefully this will grow to be a sticky worthy database.
Since manufacturers use similar colors I have tried to give a more specific description of the color in parenthesis, but I do not have a pack of crayola's in front of me to compare to so that is only an approximation. Consider also that silk colors fade over time becoming duller with less luster.
I have also included the exact model # of the string photographed to avoid any confusion, just in-case some manufacturer might use a different color silk on different gauge strings (none do that I know of).
ROTOSOUND 55 SOLO BASS
Silk Color: Green (forest green)
Silked @ ball end: Yes
String Type: Stainless Steel pressure wound
Specific model referenced: SM55 (.100 'E' string)
ROTOSOUND 66 SWING BASS
Silk Color: Red (Flyer wagon red)
Silked @ ball end: Yes
String Type: Stainless Steel roundwound
Specific model referenced: RS66LC (.095 'E' string)
GHS BOOMERS
Silk Color: Red (metallic luster, fire engine red)
Silked @ ball end: No
String Type: Nickle plated roundwound
Specific model referenced: M3045 (.105 'E' string)
GHS Precision Flats
Silk Color: Purple (magenta hue purple)
Silked @ ball end: No
String Type: Stainless Steel flatwound
Specific model referenced: 3025 (.095 'E' string)
Fender 7250
Silk Color: Black
Silked @ ball end: Yes
String Type: Nickle plated roundwound
Specific model referenced: 7250M (.105 'E' string)
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