strings for vintage gibson EB-0

[leemurray]

Anyone know what type of strings came on the original gibson basses from the 60's? I am restoring a 1969 Gibson EB-0. Wanted to try to match the original strings if possible. I probably prefer a bright roundwound since the bass itself is so dark, but I thought I would try to find out what was used originally.

p.s. this is a shortscale bass with the single "mudbucker" at the neck.

thanks

Lee

 

[fretlessguy]

I have no idea what brand of strings or type they came with in those days. Since I like a little definition in the sound instead of just pure mud, I would go with a set of short scale GHS Pressurewounds. A little more definition than flats, but it wouldn't stray that far from the original sound. For a brighter sound D'Addario Pro Steels are nice, but I do not know what effect they may have on those old frets. I used them on my Epi Allan Woody that has the two mini humbuckers like on a hofner Cavern Bass, and it gave that bass a much brighter sound. I am currently using a set of SIT shortscale nickels on the bass, which sound good as well.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] and Link Removed have the widest range of short scale strings of anybody. Check them out.

 

[Pilgrim]

In the early 60's, most bass strings were flats.

 

[brachal]

In the early 60's, most bass strings were flats.

+1 on that. I use RotoSound Jazz Bass flats on my '68 EB-3, and the results are very nice.

 

[Doug4321]

Wow, I tried Roto 77 Jazz flats, short scale, on my 1969 EB-0, terrible! Too loose, and stiff construction, so that the E especially had terrible performance, bad intonation and poor note stability, very clunky. Also a really dark, all-bass tone.

Original strings on the Gibsons were surely flat wound.

I haven’t yet found the perfect string! I’m trying to get a plunky flats sound like in Jethro Tull “Living in the Past.” Also a very blurry, bassy tone like “Come Together” and an overdrive tone like Jack Bruce in Cream, but those two are easier to get with this thing. The Cream and Tull were recorded with an EB-3 apparently.

Some other strings I’ve tried:

Dunlop Flats 40-100. Very high quality and great intonation but a little too loose, and bassy. Sort of a modern flats sound, bassy but with some brightness on top.

GHS precision flats. 45-95. Very nice, old school with some growl and warmth, good performance, but also rather loose and bassy.

La Bella LTF 42-100. Really lovely strings, sounds reminiscent of a double bass, but again quite loose and bassy.

Anyways, my thought initially was to go with those more light gauge flats to get good performance, not too clunky/bad intonation E which can happen with stiff flats on a short scale. Despite the fact that short scale needs heavier gauge to get the same tension as with long scale. But those light flats were just a bit too loose and sloppy feeling and the sound is too bassy, not enough mid range “plunk”. The wide excursion of the light gauge strings produces a lot of bass I think, also lots of bass is inherent in the EB-0. (The LTF work great on a Guild Starfire though, which has a slightly longer scale (30.75 vs 30.5”) and single coil pickups, and takes medium scale strings due to the longer bridge tail). I have the treble kill capacitor unhooked from inside the EB-0, and turn the bass on the amp way down, so that helps.

Finally tried the GHS brite flats 49-108 on the EB-0, as often recommended on this site. Actually is a ground round. Flexible, good performance, but also high tension so you get more chunky mids and defined attack. I don’t think it’s perfect, though, maybe too much tension, especially a little worrying on the old bridge and neck. And seems a bit grabby though I cleaned with alcohol and gave them a coat of hand lotion. Pretty great though, just a nice generic sound to the string, and not much round wound growl.

Sorry about the long verbiage with no great conclusion, but hopefully some good info.

 

[iiipopes]

Try the 760FL-S La Bella set instead: 43-104. Balanced in tone and tension, classic La Bella tone: big and round with good articulation. I had a friend who had them on his short scale bass and they really sounded great, including the period vibe. I have the Medium scale version on my Jaguar H 32-inch, and I really enjoy them when I want a P-bass-with-flats tone since my hands don't like 34-inch basses anymore.
760FL-S Deep Talkin’ Bass Flats – Light 43-104, Short Scale (labella.com)
.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Wow, I tried Roto 77 Jazz flats, short scale, on my 1969 EB-0, terrible! Too loose, and stiff construction, so that the E especially had terrible performance, bad intonation and poor note stability, very clunky. Also a really dark, all-bass tone.

Original strings on the Gibsons were surely flat wound.

I haven’t yet found the perfect string! I’m trying to get a plunky flats sound like in Jethro Tull “Living in the Past.” Also a very blurry, bassy tone like “Come Together” and an overdrive tone like Jack Bruce in Cream, but those two are easier to get with this thing. The Cream and Tull were recorded with an EB-3 apparently.

Some other strings I’ve tried:

Dunlop Flats 40-100. Very high quality and great intonation but a little too loose, and bassy. Sort of a modern flats sound, bassy but with some brightness on top.

GHS precision flats. 45-95. Very nice, old school with some growl and warmth, good performance, but also rather loose and bassy.

La Bella LTF 42-100. Really lovely strings, sounds reminiscent of a double bass, but again quite loose and bassy.

Anyways, my thought initially was to go with those more light gauge flats to get good performance, not too clunky/bad intonation E which can happen with stiff flats on a short scale. Despite the fact that short scale needs heavier gauge to get the same tension as with long scale. But those light flats were just a bit too loose and sloppy feeling and the sound is too bassy, not enough mid range “plunk”. The wide excursion of the light gauge strings produces a lot of bass I think, also lots of bass is inherent in the EB-0. (The LTF work great on a Guild Starfire though, which has a slightly longer scale (30.75 vs 30.5”) and single coil pickups, and takes medium scale strings due to the longer bridge tail). I have the treble kill capacitor unhooked from inside the EB-0, and turn the bass on the amp way down, so that helps.

Finally tried the GHS brite flats 49-108 on the EB-0, as often recommended on this site. Actually is a ground round. Flexible, good performance, but also high tension so you get more chunky mids and defined attack. I don’t think it’s perfect, though, maybe too much tension, especially a little worrying on the old bridge and neck. And seems a bit grabby though I cleaned with alcohol and gave them a coat of hand lotion. Pretty great though, just a nice generic sound to the string, and not much round wound growl.

Sorry about the long verbiage with no great conclusion, but hopefully some good info.

D'Addario Chromes are conspicuous in their absence from your list: do you already know you'd hate them?

Gibson is selling their own (branded) strings again. One or two members say the flats are just rebranded Chromes (not sure with how much certainty). Anyways, I've seen positive reviews of them.
FYI - but it may be a lateral or backward move in your case - unlike shortie Chromes, these also come in 40-95 (designation FWSSL), alongside the 45-100 (FWSSM):
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Doug4321]

The 45-100 Chromes or Gibsons, or the 43-104 La Bella’s might work. I was shying away from them due to a possibly stiff construction and clunky E string. I had Chromes on my Jazz bass and didn’t like much, sort of ringing overtones and stuff as I remember that didn’t mellow out much. I’ve had much better luck with La Bella LTFs, etc., overall.

 

[ThomasTronics]

I'll give the GHS balanced pressure wounds a +1.
I put them on my '70 lucite bass and the bass has never sounded this good.

 

[davelowell2]

I like higher, balanced tension, and less treble in a set of strings and for my 65 EB-O I chose GHS Brite Flats. Very happy with them.

 

[Doug4321]

Yes, I lowered the action, starting to seem nice with the GHS brite flats. It’s funny how lowering the action makes a string seem like it has less tension. Anyways, hasn’t damaged anything with the higher tension. The strings are starting to feel less grabby, more mellowed sound.

Generally the half rounds I don’t like much, neither the growl of rounds or the appealing plunky tone of flats. But seemingly just right for this…. more vintage than rounds, more chunky, focused, sound than the lighter flats. Might just stick with them.

 

[TomB]

I have a ‘68 EB0 that I got wearing ancient rounds. I cut down a set of used TI flats to fit (no one on Talkbass to tell me not too back then). No problem at all with breakage wrapping the post, and they feel and sound wonderful. They’ve been on for about 20 years now.

 

[Flatwound]

I have a ‘72 EB-0. It might be a little brighter than a ‘60’s EB-0 because of the pickup placement. When I got it, it had a set of Chromes on it. I have found Chromes to be brighter than most flats. I recently switched to Pyramid flats for more of an old-school vibe. You might want to try Chromes if you’re looking for a brighter, more defined sound.

 

[DavidEdenAria]

I have a ‘72 EB-0. It might be a little brighter than a ‘60’s EB-0 because of the pickup placement. When I got it, it had a set of Chromes on it. I have found Chromes to be brighter than most flats. I recently switched to Pyramid flats for more of an old-school vibe. You might want to try Chromes if you’re looking for a brighter, more defined sound.

Pressurewounds are really decent overall strings on EB0 types (65 Epi Newport my bros bass i use them on)....however i am hoping more short scale strings will happen soon....there are a lot more sounds in EB0 types than some think possible with modern EQ but especially strings. I would like to try a set of chromes.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Pressurewounds are really decent overall strings on EB0 types (65 Epi Newport my bros bass i use them on)....however i am hoping more short scale strings will happen soon....there are a lot more sounds in EB0 types than some think possible with modern EQ but especially strings. I would like to try a set of chromes.

Gibson's own reentering the string market is also to be considered. Some say their flats (available in both short and long scale) are just rebranded Chromes: even if it's true, they have a shortie 45-100 and a 40-95 set out, the latter of which D'Addario hasn't.

 

[Root 5]

Anyone know what type of strings came on the original gibson basses from the 60's? I am restoring a 1969 Gibson EB-0. Wanted to try to match the original strings if possible. I probably prefer a bright roundwound since the bass itself is so dark, but I thought I would try to find out what was used originally.

p.s. this is a shortscale bass with the single "mudbucker" at the neck.

thanks

Lee

I would think your instrument came with Gibson flatwounds.

 

[claudel]

My first bass was an EB-0

It came with flats and I played it that way for a few years

I remember when I discovered round wounds.

I had no idea there was such a thing.

It was like the dawning of a new day

Today, I'd go with Newtone

 

[iiipopes]

I would think your instrument came with Gibson flatwounds.

Of course it did! The question is who made them, since I don't believe Gibson ever had their own string making machines, even though they had their own pickup making machines.

 

[TomB]

I’m going to guess, because they were local to Gibson, that GHS was the most likely supplier in that era. @Jon Moody might be able to verify or correct that idea.

 

[Jon Moody]

I’m going to guess, because they were local to Gibson, that GHS was the most likely supplier in that era. @Jon Moody might be able to verify or correct that idea.

I'm not sure I'll be much help. That's so far back, anyone that might've had any idea have moved on. It's hard enough to find specifics about GHS at that time, let alone any company we might've made strings for.

Keep in mind that Gibson had their own string winding division for a bit as well, so they very well could've been true Gibson-brand. But to sort of confirm, we have made strings for Gibson at various points in the past. I just don't know when.