Strings & Parts for Höfner

[Johnanbarb]

Hello & thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. I've recently switched from guitar to bass, and I'm really enjoying it. I have a couple of questions. I like a more rich, mellow tone. A friend suggested flat wound strings. What do you think? I was also told that the "Beatle bass" should have lighter gauge strings to avoid damaging the neck. Is that true? Lastly, my bass is missing the truss rod cover. I've looked everywhere I could think of on line, but can't find one. Suggestions?

 

[JimmyM]

Might be a better question to ask in the Basses forum rather than Tony Grey's Ask A Pro section since I can't recall him playing a Hofner, but flats generally are mellower, wouldn't use heavy strings on a Hofner myself, and no idea where to get the truss rod cover.