little curiosity about pre-EB factory strings

[Vanni]

Hi all,
we all know what are currently the factory strings for EB Music Man basses

But I have a little curiosity: someone knows what strings' brand are used for pre-EB basses?
And was the factory strings roundwound or flat?

Thank you

Ciao!
Vanni

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

My 1979 (bought new) came with flat wounds.

As at 1980 they offered:

Round Wound Light...45,65,80,100.

Flat Wound Medium....55,70,85,100.

Polished Round Wound Bright Light...45,56,77,98.

Polished Round Wound Bright Medium...49,62,84,108.


Strings were sold individually aswell:

Round Wound:

45 & 50
55 & 70
75 & 90
95 &120

Flat Wound:

40 & 55
60 & 70
75 & 90
95 &115

Polished Round Wounds:

45 & 49
55 & 62
77 & 84
98 & 108

I don't know who made the strings.

Ernie Ball strings fit the Pre-EB string-through-body. The E string taper will (should) just clear the nut.

Pre-EB String Set (freedock).

 

[Vanni]

WOW!

thank you Rod!!!

very informative!
I thought the Stingray's early years of production came with flatwound... this is the confirmation!

thank you thank you thank you!!!

Vanni

 

[Ken Baker]

From what I've learned about Leo, they were probably inexpensive. Doesn't mean bad, just inexpensive. He was a notoriously thrifty individual.

You might contact Greg Gagliano of GGJaguar fame. He's quite a historian of all things Leo and may have info on the early string source. Greg can also be found on the BadAssBassPlayers forum.

Hope this helps.

Ken...

 

[Vanni]

Thank you Ken!!!

Ciao
Vanni

 

[Big Poppa]

they were at first flat but changed to round ( A little high school kid made that decision ME

The strings were made by GHS

 

[tkarter]

You were in high school in 79 BP?

tk

 

[Vanni]

Thanks BP!

My question come after I read a Bernard Edwards interview; he said that has never changed strings (in the early years), and in his old sound I heard THAT (great) flat strings sound... so I thought the first equipment strings was flat!

ciao
Vanni

 

[Aussie Mark]

You were in high school in 79 BP?

tk

Me too. '79 was Grade 12 for me.