Strings on Pre-CBS Fender Bass

[Chicken Wing]

When Leo’s Pre-CBS models rolled off of the factory floor, they had flatwounds.

But were they Fender flats? Another brand? With the green silk that today’s Fender flats come with?

Sorry if this is repeat thread, couldn’t find anything.

 

[Stan_da_man]

Squier strings?

 

[michael_t]

When Leo’s Pre-CBS models rolled off of the factory floor, they had flatwounds.

But were they Fender flats? Another brand? With the green silk that today’s Fender flats come with?

V.C. Squier was the OEM string company who worked for Fender in its early years. Then three people from that company founded their own company in 1964, now known as GHS.

The Fender Flats of today, made by D'Addario, are nothing like the original Fender Flats. It is my understanding that GHS Precision Flats are probably the closest thing to the original Fender Flats.

 

[michael_t]

This may help... (Courtesy of @Linnin)

History of Fender Brand Strings

 

[Linnin]

But were they Fender flats? Another brand?

Late to the party, but yes, and yes. They were packaged and branded as Fender strings that were wound in Battle Creek, Michigan by the V.C. Squier company. Don Randall would secretly purchase V.C. Squier for Fender Sales which was his half of Fender Musical Instruments that he ran autonomously. The closest available stringset is GHS Precision Flats.

 

[Linnin]

Also remember in 1951 Leo's brand new invention, the Fender Precision Electric Bass Guitar, was the only electric bass guitar currently being manufactured anywhere by anybody. V.C. Squier invented the strings Leo Fender needed and they became Fender exclusives.

 

[micguy]

Also remember in 1951 Leo's brand new invention, the Fender Precision Electric Bass Guitar, was the only electric bass guitar currently being manufactured anywhere by anybody. V.C. Squier invented the strings Leo Fender needed and they became Fender exclusives.

And they were flats because...Leo was looking to replace an upright bass. Flats and a mute (to get somewhat close to that sound) were what the basses shipped with.

 

[Linnin]

And they were flats because...Leo was looking to replace an upright bass.

They were flats because that is all there were at the time. Roundwound bass strings had yet to be invented and marketed as such. Which is kind of strange as roundwound strings had been on pianos since the 1700's. Under the flat outer ribbon wrap is (you guessed it) a light roundwound string. D'Addario claims to have invented the first bass roundwounds, and also the hex core.

 

[micguy]

They were flats because that is all there were at the time.

I gotta disagree. They were flats because Leo wanted flats. Round wound bass strings were in existence long (hundreds of years) before 1951. Take a look inside an old piano or harpsichord, and tell me what you see.

If Leo had wanted the sound of round wound strings, he could have easily gotten that - flats were probably more work to develop in 1951 than rounds.

 

[trothwell]

They were flats because that is all there were at the time. Roundwound bass strings had yet to be invented and marketed as such.

But just moments prior to that, flatwound electric bass strings had yet to be invented yet either.

If you were making the very first electric bass string of any sort, why make it flatwound?

 

[Linnin]

I'm pretty sure all wound electric guitar strings were flatwound at that time.

 

[Linnin]

Take a look inside an old piano, and tell me what you see.

I already said that.

 

[trothwell]

I'm pretty sure all wound electric guitar strings were flatwound at that time.

I reckon so. And if so, that would probably lend itself toward making electric bass strings in the same manner.

 

[iiipopes]

I gotta disagree. They were flats because Leo wanted flats. Round wound bass strings were in existence long (hundreds of years) before 1951. Take a look inside an old piano or harpsichord, and tell me what you see.

If Leo had wanted the sound of round wound strings, he could have easily gotten that - flats were probably more work to develop in 1951 than rounds.

Because with the composite string saddles and weatherstripping under the bridge cover to damp sustain to emulate a double bass, that is why Leo spec'd flats.

 

[Stewie]

Leo was afraid that if he had spec'd rounds, slapping would commence, He then held off on releasing the Jazz Bass in a further attempt to curtail slapping

 

[Linnin]

And they were flats because...Leo was looking to replace an upright bass

Because with the composite string saddles and weatherstripping under the bridge cover to damp sustain to emulate a double bass, that is why Leo spec'd flats.

I'd like to see and read your sources for your statements. I have a pretty good library of books about all things Fender, and have never read a Leo Fender quote to that effect. I'll go back and look to see If I can find anything.

 

[yodedude2]

and all so guitar players could cop a few gigs from double bass players....

 

[micguy]

I'd like to see and read your sources for your statements.

You can just listen:



In the first few minutes, the concept of the bass replacing an upright bass (Leo's choices in materials were aimed at that) is discussed a couple times. Even the name is (at least in part) a nod to the fact that it has frets, and is therefore more precise than an upright.

 

[Linnin]

You can just listen:

I've heard that, and even posted it a number of places. I want to see a real Leo Fender quote from a reliable and verifiable source, and not someone's opinion.

 

[micguy]

I've heard that, and even posted it a number of places. I want to see a real Leo Fender quote from a reliable and verifiable source, and not someone's opinion.

As the only basses in existence in popular bands of the day (save half a dozen from Mr Tutmarc) were uprights, I don't think you need a lot of evidence to prove that Leo would have thought of his new instrument to be the replacement for...everything that existed until then. How many sources would you need to believe that Henry Ford wanted his model T to replace a horse drawn carriage?

Here's one more anyway:

Escape From the Dog House: Fender's Bass Revolution