Bernard Edwards used old Rounds.

[Dr. Cheese]

“The last thing Bernard Edwards wanted to be was a bass player who used a pick”: Nile Rodgers on the funk behind Chic’s Le Freak

This is from an interview of Nile Rodgers in Guitar World, talking about Bernard Edwards.

 

[A.K.]

Nard started as a guitarist and taught Nile how to chuck on the guitar. Nile's autobiography has all kinds of interesting information about Nard.

 

[superheavyfunk]

“Bernard Edwards used old Rounds.”

Hey, me too!

 

[ryco]

Got a set of RotoSound SwingSet 66 on my Rick that's been on since '93.
Would be even longer except an engineer insisted I record with a new set.

Kind of a shame because a Ric really should always have fresh, crisp strings on 'em 'cause they have such a bitey tone. Then again it's fun having a set of rounds just deader 'n doornails.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Hm. I could have sworn John Taylor had a story about his tech cutting the old flats from Bernard’s bass that he took possession of.

 

[Les Fret]

Hm. I could have sworn John Taylor had a story about his tech cutting the old flats from Bernard’s bass that he took possession of.

i also thought or read somewhere that he used flats on his Stingray?

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

He did use GHS bright flats on his StingRay. In his later years he switched to rounds. I’m pretty sure he used rounds on his Spector and Sadowsky.

 

[r_bnks]

I don't.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Reading that article was the first time I ever heard that Bernard had cancer that few knew about. I always read pneumonia . I always thought he looked too thin and sickly in that look at concert video.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Reading that article was the first time I ever heard that Bernard had cancer that few knew about. I always read pneumonia . I always thought he looked too thin and sickly in that look at concert video.

Bernard Edwards certainly looked like someone suffering from cancer during the concert Chic played the night of his death. He was so thin compared to how was when he was healthy. I am just happy that Bernard Edwards made great use of the time he had on this Earth.

 

[BrotherRay]

I seem to remember an article where he was asked what kind of strings he used and his answer was a somewhat baffled "What kind of strings come on a Stingray?"

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I seem to remember an article where he was asked what kind of strings he used and his answer was a somewhat baffled "What kind of strings come on a Stingray?"

I guess Bernard Edwards was like Paul McCartney: he was making music, not worrying about gear.

 

[Les Fret]

He did use GHS bright flats on his StingRay. In his later years he switched to rounds.

Where did you get that info? The article says he used old rounds for Le Freak. But I agree with @Dr. Cheese, it doesn't really matter. It's all in the fingers, not in the gear. I don't think anyone will notice the difference between old round and flats.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Where did you get that info? The article says he used old rounds for Le Freak. But I agree with @Dr. Cheese, it doesn't really matter. It's all in the fingers, not in the gear. I don't think anyone will notice the difference between old round and flats.

bernard-edwards-and-his-strings.1495447

There is a lot of info in this thread. Follow the links and read through each one.

You discover that Bernard often said his StingRay had whatever strings came on the bass . It seems the original Stingray basses came stock with GHS Precision Flats. They were later renamed Bright Flats. ( Which is a hybrid string of sorts hlafwounds/groundrounds.). They dont really feel like other flats. In fact, they feel very similar to the TI Rounds I have on my Sandberg. They can thump and they can slap and pop very nicely.

After much research, I have a very old set of GHS Bright flats on my Old Smoothie . Instant Bernard Edwards tone. Im a believer!!

I have 5 StingRays, all wear flats. Ive tried several brands of flats and rounds. My ears say GHS Bright Flats. That is why I keep that Old Smoothie paired with those stings . My other Rays wear TI Flats and the EBMM Slinky Cobalts.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

bernard-edwards-and-his-strings.1495447

There is a lot of info in this thread. Follow the links and read through each one.

You discover that Bernard often said his StingRay had whatever strings came on the bass . It seems the original Stingray basses came stock with GHS Precision Flats. They were later renamed Bright Flats. ( Which is a hybrid string of sorts hlafwounds/groundrounds.). They dont really feel like other flats. In fact, they feel very similar to the TI Rounds I have on my Sandberg. They can thump and they can slap and pop very nicely.

After much research, I have a very old set of GHS Bright flats on my Old Smoothie . Instant Bernard Edwards tone. Im a believer!!

I have 5 StingRays, all wear flats. Ive tried several brands of flats and rounds. My ears say GHS Bright Flats. That is why I keep that Old Smoothie paired with those stings . My other Rays wear TI Flats and the EBMM Slinky Cobalts.

It’s nice to hear Edwards’ voice on that video. His singing voice was very close to his talking voice.

 

[nonohmic]

Love dead rounds.

Then I finally change them and realize I love fresh rounds too.

Rinse and repeat.

 

[BrotherRay]

Where did you get that info? The article says he used old rounds for Le Freak. But I agree with @Dr. Cheese, it doesn't really matter. It's all in the fingers, not in the gear. I don't think anyone will notice the difference between old round and flats.

I don't exactly remember, but I'm pretty sure it was Bass Player magazine. I tried to hunt it down, but this is as close as I could get.

Mods, I hope this is OK

 

[Cylon Centurion]

Bernard Edwards certainly looked like someone suffering from cancer during the concert Chic played the night of his death. He was so thin compared to how was when he was healthy. I am just happy that Bernard Edwards made great use of the time he had on this Earth.

 

[Cylon Centurion]

Saw an intervieuw

Reading that article was the first time I ever heard that Bernard had cancer that few knew about. I always read pneumonia . I always thought he looked too thin and sickly in that look at concert video.

 

[Cylon Centurion]

I saw a short cut of an intervieuw with him (not sure if was related to the Japan tour 96 or taken before in the US)but the fact is that he also didn't look well at all.