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Bass strings with white cloth tapered ends

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 11:22 am
by just_bassics
I recently acquired a bass with strings (rounds) that I've never seen before - White cloth on the tapered end. The bass was owned by a drummer who had it for years without any real knowledge of the string brand, etc... They could be very old, but the bass now has that lovely McCartney tone and I'd like to keep it sounding just as it is. Any guesses?

I've contacted several people privately that I thought would have the answer, but they all drew a blank, so I'll throw it out to the RRF bass experts for opinion and advice.

Re: Bass strings with white cloth tapered ends

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 1:14 pm
by Ivan3000

Re: Bass strings with white cloth tapered ends

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 1:27 pm
by just_bassics
Thanks, Ivan. It's a start & sounds like someone else over there discovered the same thing recently.

Re: Bass strings with white cloth tapered ends

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 3:05 pm
by rickenbrother
Many years ago, I had tried a set of GHS Super Steels which had a light silver-gray wrap on the ends. I've never seen a white wrap though.

Re: Bass strings with white cloth tapered ends

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 7:47 am
by mikko
Some Matsumoku made Japanese basses had strings with white wrap. That was back in the early 1970´s. I´ve been wondering what strings those were.

Re: Bass strings with white cloth tapered ends

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 2:00 pm
by just_bassics
Thanks!

The answer seems to be Dean Markley Blue Steels. The have the same silk threads and, under a magnifying glass, appear to have identical characteristics. I'm giving them a try with fingers crossed.

Re: Bass strings with white cloth tapered ends

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 6:06 pm
by jps
Good luck! 8) While looking with the magnifier did you find the secret code they stamp into the outer wrap? :mrgreen:

Re: Bass strings with white cloth tapered ends

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 7:09 pm
by johnallg
jps wrote:Good luck! 8) While looking with the magnifier did you find the secret code they stamp into the outer wrap? :mrgreen:
It says "Sucker" :twisted:

Re: Bass strings with white cloth tapered ends

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 7:36 pm
by just_bassics
johnallg wrote:
jps wrote:Good luck! 8) While looking with the magnifier did you find the secret code they stamp into the outer wrap? :mrgreen:
It says "Sucker" :twisted:
As usual I'm clueless... :? At least I found my strings.

Re: Bass strings with white cloth tapered ends

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 7:40 pm
by johnallg
just_bassics wrote:
johnallg wrote:
jps wrote:Good luck! 8) While looking with the magnifier did you find the secret code they stamp into the outer wrap? :mrgreen:
It says "Sucker" :twisted:
As usual I'm clueless... :? At least I found my strings.
Dean Markley strings are cryogenically treated. http://www.deanmarkley.com/2-catalog/27 ... l-electric

Re: Bass strings with white cloth tapered ends

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 8:45 pm
by cjj
Which isn't quite the same thing as cryptographically treated...
:lol: :lol: :lol:

Re: Bass strings with white cloth tapered ends

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 9:31 pm
by johnallg
cjj wrote:Which isn't quite the same thing as cryptographically treated...
:lol: :lol: :lol:
That's the ones I use - no one can figure out what I'm playing. :lol: