EssentialTension

[quote name='Greggo' timestamp='1383476632' post='2264751'] I know people say that flats are really good for blues, jazz and all that jazz.. But are they good for other types of music like indie / rock type music? I know Steve Harris uses them and he don't play no jazz! Also if you let roundwounds go dead aren't you basically using poor man's flats anyway? I've recorded plenty of songs with dead rounds and they sounded quite good so thinking I may be a fan of the flats.. [/quote] Well, you will have to try some because there is no substitute for doing that. There is great variation in flatwound strings - just as there is with rounds - so it can be an expensive business but I recommend starting with either some La Bella Deep Talkin' Flats 760FL (available many places on-line) or some Lakland Joe Osborn Flats (made by GHS but available from the Lakland website shop).

[quote name='Mog' timestamp='1383407184' post='2264158'] Cheers Dave. I decided to go down the highly technical route. Stuck some hard foam under the strings at the bridge. [/quote] That's what I do.

[quote name='bh2' timestamp='1383403362' post='2264112'] I took the pickguard off my jazz and fell into a coma. [/quote] I fell into a burning ring of fire.

It's nothing like McCartney's Wal.

[quote name='cytania' timestamp='1383388758' post='2263879'] ... Something beautiful spoilt… [/quote] The main purpose of a Fender pickguard (there's a misnomer) is to hide what is not beautiful in a mass production process.

Will people please stop taking the scratchplate off and wandering around naked. It goes against all common decency. It's like going out without your keks on.

[quote][size=4] [b]Dating 1970s Fender Guitars by the Neck Code[/b] [b]By Greg Gagliano[/b][/size] The strange and mysterious neck codes found on Fenders from 1969 – 80 have been all but ignored by the vintage and collectible guitar community. Perhaps this is due to the fact that 1970s Fenders have, until recently, been all but ignored by the vintage and collectible guitar community. Now that these instruments are hitting the "magical" 25-year mark, they have suddenly gained attention. I won’t get into the pros and cons of 1970s Fenders here, but instead, I hope to shed some new light on those weirdo neck codes. In 1969, CBS-Fender began to implement a new type of neck stamp in place of the usual date stamp consisting of model code, month, year, neck width (e.g. 8 DEC 65 B for a Duo-Sonic II with a 1 5/8 inch neck width). The new code consisted of 6, 7 or 8 digits and was usually stamped in green ink. An example of this type of neck code found on a Precision Bass is 529129B. CBS-Fender used this neck code system concurrently with the standard Month-Year date stamp that had been in use since 1962. Both type of stamps can be found on Fenders made from 1969 through 1971. To clarify, a neck would have one or the other type of stamp… not both. It is not known why Fender used two completely different systems at the same time. Then in 1972, Fender changed to a new type of neck stamp which had 8-digits which was stamped in green or red ink. An example of this is 02033923 found on a Jazz Bass. From 1972 through about March 1973, this new system was used concurrently with the old Month-Year date stamp. Again, a neck was stamped with either the new type of code or the old date stamp, but not both. After March 1973, Fender dropped the old style date stamp and continued to use the new style, 8-digit code until sometime in 1980 when small adhesive labels bearing Month-Day-Year date stamps appeared in the neck pocket, pickup cavity and/or back of the neck. Andre Duchossoir briefly discussed his findings for the 1972-80 codes in his excellent Telecaster and Stratocaster books. He found that part of the codes denoted neck type. I used this information as the starting point for my research. I examined and/or received information regarding stamped codes for about 150 Fenders made between 1967 and 1980. Of these, less than half had useable information. In most cases, the stamp was smudged beyond legibility or the stamps were incomplete. Many guitars had no stamped codes at all. Some guitars simply had the model name, such as "MUSTANG" stamped on the butt end of the neck in green or red ink. This means two things for the owner of a 1969-80 Fender. First, the chances of having an intact stamped code is about 50-50. Second, my data set for making conclusions is relatively small and therefore, subject to change as new information surfaces. However, the interpretation of the two date code systems appears to be relatively straight forward and the conclusions were confirmed by pickup dates and pot dates in most cases. The date from 1969-71 stamped codes can be extracted by working from the outside inward. For example, let’s take Telecaster Thinline (s/n 272207) with the code: 3320119B. Starting a the right we have the letter B. This appears to be the same neck width code that Fender had been using since 1962. The next digit denotes the year, in this case 9 = 1969. The next one or two digits denote the month, in this case 11 = November. The first one or two digits of the code, in this case 3, denotes the model. For Telecasters, Telecaster Thinlines, and Esquires that code is 3. For Stratocasters it is 22 and for Precision Basses it is 5. The other three digits (320) are a mystery and perhaps are some kind of batch or lot number. Let’s practice that again okay? Here’s our P-Bass again (s/n 277983) with the code 529129B. Breaking up the code we get: 5 = code for Precision Bass 291 = batch or lot code? 2 = February 9 = 1969 B = 1 5/8 inch neck width (correct for a ’69 P-Bass). One more time, since you love this stuff… Strat (s/n 279515) with code 22384109B. Break it into pieces: 22 = code for Stratocaster 384 = batch or lot code? 10 = October 9 = 1969 B = 1 5/8 inch neck width Exceptions do exist. A few Telecasters have shown up with neck codes that would indicate a 1967 date and one has been reported with a possible 1968 date, yet the rest of the guitar appears to be from 1969. If Fender used the coding system as early as 1967, then we should see more 1967 and 1968 guitars surfacing with the green stamped code. One plausible explanation is the use of leftover necks – Fender is known to have done this often. If you have a guitar or bass with this first style green code and you would like to submit it to the database I’m compiling, please send the model, serial number, code, and if you have them, the pot dates and pickup dates. Additional information is needed to test the decoding theory and your help will be greatly appreciated. Now that you’re all expert cryptographers let’s dive right into the 1972 – 80 coding system. Example: Music Master (s/n 595121) with code 49002153. We need to break the code up into pieces. The first 6 digits are paired off and the last two digits are taken singly. So that gives us 49 00 21 5 3 where: 49 = model code (Musicmaster, Mustang, Bronco) 00 = neck code (rosewood fingerboard) 21 = week code (week 21) 5 = year code (1975) 3 = day of the week code (Wednesday) Now, how the heck are you supposed to know the model codes and neck codes? Well, I’ll give you the ones that I know so far. For model codes (first pair of digits): 01 = Precision Bass 02 = Jazz Bass 04 = Mustang Bass 08 = Telecaster Deluxe 09 = Stratocaster 13 = Telecaster, Telecaster Custom, Telecaster Thinline 49 = Musicmaster, Mustang, Bronco For neck codes (second pair of digits): 00 = rosewood fingerboard 01 = rosewood fingerboard 03 = fretted maple neck OR skunk stripe neck with rosewood board 10 = fretless maple neck Set up your decoder rings with the info above and try your hand on P-Bass (s/n 647149) with code 01031051. You should get: 01 = P-Bass 03 = fretted maple neck 10 = Week 10 5 = 1975 1 = Monday One more time and we’ll call it a day…. Telecaster (s/n S725092) with rosewood board and code 1303167?. 13 = Telecaster 03 = rosewood fingerboard on skunk stripe neck 16 = Week 16 7 = 1977 ? = day unknown as digit was illegible Again, the decoding hypothesis set forth here need to be tested further and any information that readers wish to submit will be greatly appreciated. The information needed is serial number, model, neck type, green or red stamped code, and any pot or pickup dates. The info can be sent to me c/o the 20[sup]th[/sup] Century Guitar offices at 135 Oser Ave, Hauppauge, NY 11788. Many, many thanks to the folks who contributed data for this research including Jim Werner the Fender Collector Somewhere in Iowa, Hans Moust at Guitarchives, Jim Strahm and Matt Kesler at Midwestern Musical, Jay Keim at Harmonic Arts, and Tim Pershing the Fender Student Model Guru. Tim earned extra credit for suggesting the explanation for the day of the week code. [i][size=1]Greg Gagliano, a researcher devoted to vintage and collectible guitars and amps, clearly has way too much time on his hands since all he seems to do is compile Fender green stamped neck codes and Fender tube amp information. [url="http://www.ggjaguar.com/neckcode.htm"]http://www.ggjaguar.com/neckcode.htm[/url] [/size][/i][size=1][/quote][/size]

Cracking stuff. I had to buy it.

[quote name='51m0n' timestamp='1383320181' post='2263164'] You must have meant me then, I dont remember, it was a heavy evening...... [/quote] No, I am Spartacus.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1383312046' post='2263002'] They have courses for that now? My generation had to learn the hard way on a big night out in Brighton . [/quote] Steady on! I live in Brighton.

[quote name='Bolo' timestamp='1383293776' post='2262593'] I still vote korean crossdresser. [/quote] Perhaps you need to go on one of those 'Tell the Difference' courses.

I have seen a purportedly 1960s Fender Precision with a birds-eye neck but the neck wasn't the only thing that was not 1960s Fender. But never say never.

[quote name='The Dark Lord' timestamp='1383254433' post='2262325'] I see what you mean. She's called Caroline Campbell. She also plays keyboards for Cradle of Filth when they tour. [/quote]

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1383246500' post='2262163'] I have a long history of getting confused. [/quote] I too probably have a long history of getting confused but I can't remember for sure.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1383245892' post='2262146'] I wish cheap basses had been this good when I was starting out. [/quote] Huh?

[quote name='martthebass' timestamp='1383245223' post='2262125'] ... I wish cheap basses had been this good when I was starting out. [/quote] Yes.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1383228273' post='2261822'] I have some recollection that Fender strings were made by D'Addario until very recently , but Fender have subsequently changed their supplier in the last couple of years and the more recent strings are much less to the liking of many people who had previously been fans of Fender strings. Widespread consensus seems to be that Fender roundwounds are definitely changed beyond all recognition from what they were. [/quote] I was of the view that it's the other way around. Fender changed to (not from) D'Addario.

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1383222130' post='2261694'] Don't like Elites or DR. Horrible things. What does surprise me is the comments about tension. While a set of 45-105 from Maker A might not have the same tension as 45-105 from Maker B, there are usually other gauge sets available. I don't tend to buy looking at the gauge anymore - I look at the tension information. [/quote] Yes, gauge can be a very minor factor in how a string feels, which is much more dependent on the construction of the string. I never buy strings on the basis of gauge.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1383169352' post='2261226'] £24 was worth a lot more back in 1972. Plus he played on more than one track on the album and so was there for more than a single half-day session. Also it shows the gamble you take as a session player. Take the session fee now and get a guaranteed payment based on the hours and instruments you played, or hold out for a songwriting credit and royalty and instead run the risk of getting a percentage of nothing. [/quote] In 1972, £24 was a weeks wages for me.

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1383170199' post='2261242'] Yes. As long as your bass has a piezo system in the bridge, fine. If you have one or more magnetic pickups, the string material becomes crucial as to what those pickups will er... pick up. [/quote] Rotosound Trubass are a metal strings in the normal manner and will work on magnetic pickups or a piezo or both.

Really should have rehearsed that move.

[quote name='Greggo' timestamp='1383165778' post='2261160'] Thanks for relies! Will trubass rotos still worked when plugged in? its this bass [url="http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Electro-Acoustic-Bass-Guitar-by-Gear4music/BLX?origin=product-ads&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_campaign=PLA+G4M&utm_content=aaqSduGA|dm_pcrid_30515377999_plid__kword__match__"]http://www.gear4musi..._kword__match__[/url] [/quote] I'vw got Roto Trubass on my Takamine. Why would they not work?

I've got two acoustic basses, both with flats for several years.

[quote name='Dom in Somerset' timestamp='1383161913' post='2261089'] The colour coding is different and Fenders are lower tension. If D'Adario make Fender strings they use a different recipe. I also thought the Fenders I tried were awful, not a patch o D'Adario. [/quote] Fender strings are made by D'Addario, but Fender strings are not merely repackaged D'Addarios, i.e. Fender flats are not Chromes.

If the purchaser wasn't happy I'd full refund after they returned the item.