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History of Fender Brand Strings
- Thread starter Linnin
- Start date
Maybe not, as Leo sent it back to GHS with his hand written reply. Dave Holcomb is the son of GHS co-founders OB and May Holcomb.
I also saw a bunch of canceled checks up for bid/sale by 'Fender Finder'. So I guess he just found all those Leo Fender signed documents just laying around.
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my question is when GHS broke off from VC Squier, did they keep making the same strings they made at VC Squier, aka Fender Masterwound strings? or did they make a new formulation? does make you wonder.
You'll have to ask @Jon Moody. My take as far as Precision flats go is that they are so similar to the V.C. Squier made Fender Flats that came stock on my 1976 Fender Precision as to be the same. Biggest difference being pure nickel flat ribbon wrap vs today's stainless steel wrap. Some things are going to be proprietary trade secrets. I (for one) like today's modern stainless wrap better.
would love to know your thoughts on the original fender strings tonally and the ghs precision flats of today. similar tension? sound?
If you read through all of this and the monster Praise Report on GHS Precision flats you'll find it.
Attempting to relive a sonic memory is very nearly futile, but as I recall, Jon sent me a new set to try with a newly reworked E. This was all Top Secret at the time. I strung my Fender American Standard Jazz up in the new set for an A/B new to old with my '76 Precision. I was doing a lot of open minded listening and very little thinking. Just letting it all sink in. Eventually it dawned on me (as 40 year old epiphanies often do) playing this new set of GHS Precision flats triggered a 40 year old sonic memory. They sounded the same as the V.C. Squire made Fender flats did on my then brand new 1976 Fender Precision. Believe or not.
- Sep 9, 2007
- 5,309
- 4,977
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Eventide, GHS Strings, G&L Guitars, NS Design, Tsunami Cables
Spring of 1964, and were incorporated as GHS Strings officially on August 1, 1964. At that time, like VC Squier, GHS was solely an OEM company, making strings for other companies. It wasn't until a couple years later that the Gus Formula Strings were introduced (that later became Nickel Rockers), and it started from there.
As for making the same strings as Squier, it may have started that way, intentionally or not.
A picture of the strings that came on my 1957 Precision- second series.
Note the end of the string on the low 'E'. We believe these are the strings
that it shipped with when it left the factory in 1957. I personally have never seen
an old Fender bass that still has the original strings on it. This was the studio
bass of Billy Vaughn, who had an incredible musical history.
Some of that history is noted in this: Vintage Guitar Magazine article
Note the end of the string on the low 'E'. We believe these are the strings
that it shipped with when it left the factory in 1957. I personally have never seen
an old Fender bass that still has the original strings on it. This was the studio
bass of Billy Vaughn, who had an incredible musical history.
Some of that history is noted in this: Vintage Guitar Magazine article
Attachments
Man, I'd love to take a course in the history of Fender instruments. So much stuff to know than just the history behind their signature instruments.
You are quite welcome @kkaarrll, and thank you for your kind comment. I do my best.
This is the most interesting thread I've read on here for a long time. I've always been impressed by GHS strings and had no idea of their relation to the Squier string company.
Excellent work @Linnin, cheers!
Excellent work @Linnin, cheers!
Thanks for your kind comment @miles'tone
This makes excellent reading . many thanks gor posting this as I never realised until fairly recently that Squire made violins !
dude you are amazing i have been looking for the actual gauges on those for years. i really appreciate this. GHS 3050 are the medium gauge set. that regular gauge set looks funky, (.45) .48 .64 .80 .95. heavy on the top strings, light on the E.
EDIT - no wonder so many warped necks with those unbalanced tension heavy on the G side. bent and twisted em i'm sure.
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