Yet another what-are-these-strings thread

[PDW30]

On a 2005 Squier P bass bought second-hand, but I don't know how long they've been on the bass. I like the noise they make, very thuddy, but that might be the age. I'd like to know what they are in case I have to replace them.

Long scale, red silk at both ends, cylindrical steel-coloured bobbins. Perhaps a little thicker than my usual 45-105s (sorry for the vagueness).

Any suggestions?

 

[michael_t]

Yet another request for pics - one at the headstock and one at the bridge. Visual clues are very important. Please and thank you.

 

[PDW30]

As requested ... hope they help.

 

[PDW30]

Oops - forgot to say, but they're roundwounds.

 

[michael_t]

Those look to me like the generic Chinese strings mostly used as factory strings on budget line basses.

 

[PDW30]

Those look to me like the generic Chinese strings mostly used as factory strings on budget line basses.

On an Indonesian Squier? Could be, but ...
I was actually beginning to wonder about Fender nickels.

 

[michael_t]

On an Indonesian Squier? Could be, but ...
I was actually beginning to wonder about Fender nickels.

Fender-branded rounds don't have silk at all.

One of the unique features on the ones in your pics is how the start of the silk at the tuner end is staggered according to the positioning of the tuner posts. You wouldn't see that on any of the strings in retail packages by any of the major manufacturers.

I've seen those generic factory strings with black silk on the entry level Ibanez basses as well. Again, the start of the silks were staggered just like the ones you have.

 

[Crunchy Growl]

Rotosound Roundwounds

 

[michael_t]

Rotosound Roundwounds

Old Rotosound Swing Bass 66 would have red silk at both ends, but as I mentioned above, the start of the silks on Rotosound wound line up evenly across all four strings.

 

[Rocket Queen]

Old Rotosound Swing Bass 66 would have red silk at both ends, but as I mentioned above, the start of the silks on Rotosound wound line up evenly across all four strings.

...and new (and old?) Rotos would have color-coded ball ends.

 

[C Stone]

My guess is they have been on there since it was strung up at the factory…
Old generic Squier stock strings, I don’t think they are 7250’s (but very similar).

My 2005 had them as well and the owner said they had never been changed since he bought the bass, he played it a short time then it sat in a closet for the next decade and a half. I also really like the feel/tone very much…I started a thread never did get them identified though…

 

[Killing Floor]

...and new (and old?) Rotos would have color-coded ball ends.

Just new. If it was on there from when the bass was new-ish they’d be brass color.

 

[Swings]

Just new. If it was on there from when the bass was new-ish they’d be brass color.

My old rotos weren’t color coded, i resent the lack of uniformity the coloured scheme brings (had to buy a new set recently)

 

[Dirk Rockbottom]

To me, they're very similar looking to GHS Boomers. Boomers have the red silk.

 

[michael_t]

To me, they're very similar looking to GHS Boomers. Boomers have the red silk.

Boomers don't have silk at the ball end.

And please refer back to my post above (#7) about the staggered silks at the tuner end, which is NOT part of the design by either Rotosound or GHS.

 

[Dirk Rockbottom]

Boomers don't have silk at the ball end.

And please refer back to my post above (#7) about the staggered silks at the tuner end, which is NOT part of the design by either Rotosound or GHS.

I stand corrected.

 

[BOOG]

I like the noise they make
Any suggestions?

 

[Lava]

Time for a strings/silks cross reference picture thread?

 

[michael_t]

Time for a strings/silks cross reference picture thread?

Silk colors