Mystery Strings?

[Michael Delacerda (dela217)]

Some time ago I bought a used bass.  It has strings on it that I really like a lot.  I just am not sure what they are.  They seem to be stainless steel with a multicore and have black silk wrappings.  Anyone familiar with black ends on strings?  What are these??

[Jonathan Johnstone (stoney)]

I think they may be a Fender string. Hard to tell though. Hey Michael, do you know a bassist in N.O. by the name of Doug Potter?  Generally he's been playing in the French Quarter and at the Casino.
 
Stoney

[Michael Delacerda (dela217)]

Stoney - No I have not met a Doug Potter yet as far as I know.  I play the French Quarter and Casino circuit too.  I may know the face, but not the name.  For some strange reason musicians call each other hey man down here.  So, I may know him by that!  Do you live in this area too??  Thanks for the string info.  I like these strings because they are a very low tension.  They seem to be about the same tension ans the Thomastic-Infeld strings.  Very flexible, but roundwound. I am going to the music store to see if the Fender strings have this wrapping on the ends or not.  I picked up a set of Nickel Fender strings a while back and the ends were a yellow-gold color.  But the stainless may be black!   Thanks again....Michael

[Brian Ceasar (bbe1020)]

Michael, have you tried the thomastik powerbass strings? They're roundwound, and sound really great on the series bass.

[Michael Delacerda (dela217)]

Brian - I have not had a chance to try these.  Are they as flexible as the Jazz Flats?  I REALLY like those a lot.  If they are, I will definately be getting some of those.  Please let me know.  I want slinky, yet punch.  I like the flats, but sometimes I need the roundwound zing.  Right now all my basses that I use have the flats on them.  I would like one with rounds too just for fun.

[Jonathan Johnstone (stoney)]

Hi Michael, I met Doug a while back. He plays a stock Spoiler.  I found him a used SF2 up here in Silver Spring Maryland where I live. Kind of lost touch with him over the past few years. I go to N.O. often on business and many times find myself sitting in with Big Al and Gary Brown. They're great guys and always ask me to sit in AND to come back.
 
I've gotta check out these Thomastik strings Brian has talked about.  (Hey Brian, can you get these at Chuck's?)  I've been using Maxima Gold strings on my Essence.(love 'em)  Haven't yet settled into a set for my Brown Bass though because it's short scale (currently using Alembic strings).  I get my Maximas at http://www.JustStrings.com  They seem to have pretty reasonable prices.  
 

[Wayne McLemore (wayne)]

Michael-
 
I've been using the Thomastik Jazz Rounds on the Unicorn and love them.  The sound is somewhere between the Jazz Flats and a standard (i.e. CX3) nickel round.  More punch than the flats, but less string noise and sparkle than a typical round.  It's a very smooth tone.  
 
If you like the Jazz Flats, you should like the Jazz Rounds.  AND they are very low tension - even less than the Jazz Flats.
 
C-Ya...........wayne

[Brian Ceasar (bbe1020)]

No CHUCK'S don't sell thomastik. Jonathan give Laron Young a call at Central Electronics, he's a dealer for thomastik in OUR area (301)336-8589 www.centralmusicwarehouse.com  
 He's a musician too... Check out a track from his CD at CDBABY.com. Give him a call though if you really want the thomastiks.

[Chris R. Gedney (76ac070)]

Hey, all!
 
I know that this was covered in a different thread, but - try the Pyramid Gold flats (SS multicore design).  They are the silkiest, LOUDEST, cleanest flats that I've ever played!  I ALWAYS use them to record the Series I when a flat sound is required.
 
C 'YA
 
Chris

[Jonathan Johnstone (stoney)]

Hey All,  
Thanks for your input.  Gotta do some heavy research here. Brian, are you currently gigging in the area?  If so, drop me a note via my email.  And, if you're out & about this weekend, we're at Legend's in Wheaton on Saturday.  The owner is putting up a free Chinese Buffet from 8 - 9:30. We start at 9:30. Not playing bass on this gig though. Directions are on the web site. http://www.trialbyfire.net
 
Stoney

[richard campbell (bigfoot)]

The original post;  those strings were most likely ROTOSOUND nylon wound. They are constructed exactly as you described, and they sound Wonderful. I used them for YEARs, although never on my Alembic ... interesting, maybe I will try them again on my Series I fretless. (single owner since 1978) ...