The simplest wound strings are roundwoundwith round wire wrapped in a. The whole concept of the guitar began many centuries ago, but the concept of a musical string began before the guitar. Roundwound acoustic guitar strings musicians friend. Rotosound, a british string manufacturers, developed the first roundwound strings for electric bass guitars in 1962 the swing bass 66 set. Half round guitar strings have a warmer sound due to the strings being round wound, then ground down for a smoother feel. Ernie ball electric guitar strings, acoustic guitar strings. Ernie ball regular slinky roundwound bass 5 string bass reverb. The most popular string gauge set for 6string electric guitar is. Rickenbacker 95404 12 string electric guitar strings. Rotosound rb35 rotobass nickel roundwound long scale bass guitar strings medium light 3595. Flatwound strings consist of a steel core string wrapped with a flat wire, which results. Jul 21, 2015 well starting from about the th century we had catgut strings, which arent what they sound like, theyre actually made of sheep intestine. Rotosound sh77 steve harris signature bass guitar strings 50110. Professor string has just published a book about one of the most misunderstood components of.
Roundwound, halfwound and flatwound the profile of the wrap wire affects tone and feel of guitar strings. How started manufacturing music strings for many famous artists across the world. Rotosound nickel medium gauge roundwound bass strings 40 60. The other strings are gauged accordingly for the most even tension. Expand your sound beyond roundwound with this fast bass string primer. He contacted james how of rotosound and set up a meeting to visit their factory in london. The birth of the roundwound bass string bass musician magazine. What brand out there makes the smoothest set that could compete with flats. Make offer rotosound stainless steel standard gauge roundwound bass strings 45 65 80 105 rotosound rdb665ld headless 5 string bass guitar strings 45 double ball end. The range of dedicated short scale bass strings available is relatively limited, although there are thankfully still enough to suit all of us. When i got it i immediately took the fender strings off and put labell. But whatever your style, from jazz to rock, metal to grunge, rotosound strings produce the sound used by the stars. The company currently has its world headquarters in farmingdale, long island, new york, and its european headquarters in newcastle upon tyne, tyne and wear, england. Roundwound bass strings had yet to be invented and marketed as such.
Rotosound bass guitar strings for sale in stock ebay. If you move your fingers around a lot, the strings might feel warmer where round wounds will have a colder feel. How have guitar strings changed over the history of the. The electric bass strings used by immortals like jaco, sting, martin kemp of spandau ballet okay, immortals and mortals. Discussion in strings bg started by jessicabass, mar, 2014. This month begins the series, important moments in bass history. In this issue, we will take a look back at the birth of the roundwound bass string and how a small british company and john entwistle changed the sound of the bass. Rotosound stainless steel standard gauge roundwound bass strings 45 65 80 105 fender 5string super bass 72505l nickelplated steel long scale bass strings ernie ball 5string regular slinky nickel wound bass set. Our strings have been played on many of the bestselling albums of all time and are used by some of historys greatest musicians including paul mccartney, eric clapton, jimmy page, slash, the rolling stones, angus young, eagles, jeff beck, pete townshend. Quality strings mean quality sound this can be said for any fretted instrument and with a little time and effort anyone who has a specific tone in mind should be able to find a string set to match their tastes skill level and playing style. As much as i love how it feels and plays, there were two things i wanted to change as well 1 the bottom of my strap kept coming loose from the bass, so i needed to find a way to keep it secured and 2 i wanted strings that were smoother to the touch so that i can. I mean, i dont know how you could want a more vintage sounding roundwound string than swing 66s. The tonal response from our specially formulated bronze really brightens up an. Buy rotosound nickel standard light gauge roundwound bass strings 45 65 85 105 at amazon uk.
The birth of the roundwound bass string important moments in bass history. Rotosound strings have played a large part in the history of rock musicand the company plans to continue drawing on this rich legacy tocontinue being a major influence for decades to come. What helps to distinguish roundwound strings from others is a wire exterior that is wrapped around their core, which results in a slightly bumpy feel. Such strings are usually made by winding round wire around a round or hex core first, then polishing, grinding thus the name, ground wound or pressing the exterior part of the winding until it is practically flat. Groundwound strings, also known as half round, start out as roundwound, but then are either ground down or pressed, so that the surface is smooth. Dec 23, 2019 the birth of the roundwound bass string important moments in bass history. Original 7150 bass strings, pure nickel, roundwound, long scale, 7150ml. Rotosound nickel standard light gauge roundwound bass. Aug 06, 2012 first, a brief history of these genuine jimmy bruno strings from sadowsky. Under the flat outer ribbon wrap is you guessed it a light roundwound string. Bill black somewhat reluctantly played electric bass for the first time on jailhouse rock, but on the second session, black found playing the bass part for youre so square baby i dont care too challenging, and he threw the instrument down in frustration and walked.
Halfwound strings, ground wound strings, or pressure wound strings are a cross between roundwound and flatwound. But rotosounds rounds only became a common and viable replacement string from the advent of the rs66 in. These are roundwound strings, but the windings have been sanded flat so that they get less string noise. In the 1970s, when flatwound string usage began to decline, more people turned to the new roundwound strings. Roundwound strings were a key element in the trend toward louder, more.
The tension of a roundwound set is different compared to flatwound, so it is most likely true you will need to perform a truss rod adjustment if switching from round to flat or vice versa. Morley harpsichord, spinnet, piano strings, square piano strings the strings are not square, that is the name of the instrument. Also, they are expensive and i dont think they sound as good as rounds. How to choose the best strings for your bass guitar the hub.
In the beginning it was gut strings, then as instruments evolved, pianoviolin, steel strings were the standard, plain ones were solid and the larger ones were a solid core with copper or brassbronze wound tightly over the core. Ok, so ive heard of flatwound strings for bass before, but i want to know more about these flatwound strings for guitar whats the difference in. First, a brief history of these genuine jimmy bruno strings from sadowsky. Eastern instruments such as the rebab and other lute family instruments have existed since the early part of the.
Rotosound rs66le long scale 66 stainless steel swing electric bass strings heavy 50110. This site is dedicated to fretless basses acoustic and uprights welcome too. I want to have some conversation and maybe learn something about the history of electric guitar strings. Quality strings mean quality sound this can be said for any fretted instrument. It is possible to use long scale strings on many short scale basses more on this later. It wasnt until the sixties when as popular legend has it guitarists would buy a set of freely available roundwound strings, throw away the bottom string and replace the top e with a thin banjo string, thus inventing the light gauge string set which proved far more. Gladesville guitar factory is australias longest running guitar store under the same ownership. If you want a little mellower than the stainless steel one, you can grab a nickel set. The wound strings will have more bite imo, but if you go for the softer, warmer bass tones, rounds do feel and sound great. I was reading an article on pyramid strings, and i have always used roundwounds on my guitars. Learn how and when to remove this template message. The way flats sit on string saddles is also different compared to round, so it is also most likely true all of your saddles will need to be adjusted if you. Heres a roundwound string kinda looks like one of mine when it breaks all that stuff unravels and makes a huge mess.
Roundwound strings are arguably the most common type of string found on bass guitars, and are a popular choice for performers of all different playing styles. Rotosound nickel standard light gauge roundwound bass strings. Daddario 55 dr strings 68 dunlop 19 elixir ernie ball 23 fender 5. But with so many choices on the market, it can be confusing as to which set you should buy. Those strings, the rs66 sets, were the first that vibrated properly. Daddario is a manufacturer of musical instrument strings and accessories, primarily for guitars but also many other fretted and orchestral instruments. Bass strings are also available in both flatwound and roundwound string windings. The winding produces the roughness that you stated. In this issue, we will take a look back at the birth of the roundwound bass string. Simply put, the core of the string is wrapped with thin wire. Apr 06, 2020 the recording sessions took place in late april and early may 1957 at the radio recorders studio in hollywood. As the years went by james how invented and designed more and more strings, more machines and around 1959 started up in business employing some six people, including his brother.
Old strings can cause intonation and tuning problems, while new. Shop online for roundwound bass guitar strings at music123 unmatched selection, superior service and the guaranteed lowest prices. Roundwound, halfwound and flatwound strings and beyond. I love the smooth feel of flats but want to try some rounds. A guitar strings gauge refers to the strings physical size, given in inches. In this issue, we will take a look back at the birth of the roundwound bass string and how a small british company and john entwistle changed the sound of the bass guitar. The birth of the roundwound bass string bass musician. The surface of the flatwound strings are, um, flatter.
Prime members enjoy free delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, tv shows, original audio series, and kindle books. The patent of this string james how allowed to expire, he. Whats the difference between the smooth strings and the. Find great deals on ebay for rotosound bass guitar strings.
Rotosound 4, and 5 string bronze bass 44 phosphor roundwound bass strings an old stalwart from rotosounds history that still has a loyal following among the acoustic bass fraternity. The above custom string development options are only for developing custom strings and do not include the price of the strings. Strings 101 guitar string history professor string. Ghs strings m3050 4string precision flatwound, stainless steel flat wound bass strings, long scale plus. Bill black wasnt the only person to play electric bass on. Roundwound acoustic bass guitar strings 8 roundwound electric bass guitar strings 219 narrow by clear all.
Roundwound acoustic guitar strings are by far the most popular string type amongst acoustic players. Ive been using john pearse acoustic electric nickel roundwound strings on my electrified archtops. What is the difference between roundwound and flatwound. Ernie ball is the worlds leading manufacturer of premium electric and acoustic guitar strings, bass strings, and guitar accessories.
Theyre the first major roundwounds on the market though danelectro had some out earlier that shipped stock on their basses, mid60s introduction. Crosssection of roundwound, flatwound, and groundwound bass strings. Rotosound nickel roundwound and more electric bass guitar. In fact, roundwounds are also very easy and inexpensive to design which is why theyre very affordable. String music news newspapers books scholar jstor january 2019 learn how and when to remove this template message. Sadowsky jimmy bruno signature polished roundwound strings. Entwistle spent the afternoon there, trying various strings made for him by the onsite technicians in different gauges with. Many people overlook the importance and vital role of guitar strings. Roundwound strings discussion in guitars in general started by ecbluesman54, oct 26, 2011.
No matter what sort of guitarist you are, which style of music you play or the kind of guitar you use to play it, there should be at least one set of flatwound. In 1966, bassist john entwistle was looking for a set of roundwound strings which vibrated properly. Wondering what secret strings you guys have discovered that provide roundwound frequency content, yet sound jazzy and warm. Pretty much any bass you pick up in a music store has roundwounds. Considering the companys long history manufacturing strings for. In particular i want to learn about the strings that came on fender guitars in the 1950s and 60s, but any discussion of instrument strings is interesting so if you know something lets hear it. Rotosounds trademark swing bass string set was first produced in 1966. The downside is that the surface can feel quite rough and it chews up your fingers more than either rounds or flats. Its really expressive, but i have to manage the tone with my left hand all the time. They help your guitar sound, play, and even feel better. This item fender 7250 nickelplated steel roundwound v bass guitar strings 45125 ernie ball regular slinky nickel wound bass set.
Roundwound, flatwound, and groundwound strings youtube. Danelectro also had roundwound strings, i believe they shipped them as oem on their basses from at least the early 60s. The patent of this string james how allowed to expire, he was so busy he forgot to renew the patent. Daddario nyxl45 regular light 5string long scale nickel wound bass strings. With a bright, punchy sound, these are the kind of string that youve no doubt heard on stages around the world throughout the history of popular music. Easier on fingers, roundwound or flatwound strings. We specialise in acoustic, electric and classical guitars, effect pedals, folk instruments and repairs. Round wound strings were around a long time before flat wounds. This new technology forever changed and helped to shape the modern music we hear today. Which is kind of strange as roundwound strings had been on pianos since the 1700s. No selection of strings would be complete without plenty of varieties to choose from, and its plain to see that this range of flatwound guitar strings more than lives up to the fact. Choosing the right strings is crucial to getting a good result from your short scale bass. All sounds made by your guitar or bass start with the vibration of a string. Roundwound strings are distinguished by their wire exterior that is wrapped around the string core, resulting in a slightly bumpy feel.
So, what this does not pay for is the actual string set. It is a familyowned and operated business that is one of the largest string. Round wound guitar strings offer the the brightest sound, yet have more string noise due to their ribbed texture. History of electric guitar strings fender stratocaster. Rotosound nickel medium gauge roundwound bass strings 40. Originally designed as a user submitted gallery of fretless basses, our site now includes much more, including exclusive interviews and articles, featured songs and videos, a shopping area, and community links for those who play or simply admire fretless basses. Ive had two precisions stolen from me, but my present one i bought new in 63. Enjoy the lowest prices and best selection of roundwound bass guitar strings at guitar center. In this issue, we will take a look back at the birth of the roundwound bass string and how a small british company and john entwistle changed the sound of the bass guitar in the early days of the electric bass, if you wanted to buy new strings for. A string is the vibrating element that produces sound in string instruments such as the guitar. Started in the late 1950s by james how a musician and engineer by trade. Born in nyc, wound up in new jersey that phrase constructs the current essence of my life and i simply find joy in all the musicality and rendering those few words tethered together can.
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