1964 Precision - original string gauges?

[Kevsy71]

Having scored a wonderful '64 from a fellow BCer, may I ask if anyone knows the string gauges for which the nut would originally have been cut? At a rough guess it seems a light E (.100) and thick G (.50-ish), but any info much appreciated

[ikay]

This ad on Gumtree purports to be for an original 1960s set of Fender light gauge bass strings and gives the gauges as 50/64/80/95

- https://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/1960-s-fender-bass-strings-genuine-new-old-stock-still-in-packaging-£95-ono/1272536060

1960's FENDER BASS STRINGS ‘GENUINE’ NEW OLD STOCK - STILL IN THEIR ORIGINAL PACKETS AND POLYTHENE SLEEVE!
F-80 SET LIGHT GAUGE STAINLESS STEEL FLAT WIRE ELECTRIC BASS STRINGS
1st – G-.050, 2nd – D-.064, 3rd – A-.080 4th – E-.095.

[Kevsy71]

Thanks Ikay! That makes sense, I've seen references to Fender F80s on talkbass. Cheers, I'll check that link out.

[Bridgehouse]

I put Chromes on my 64 - 45-105 and they are really nice.

The nut needed a bit of filing, but only a tiny bit to taste - I lowered the slots for an easier playing action. 

If it's going to be a player then get it set up for your chosen strings - don't worry about getting it to fit the nut as is - it won't affect the value a whole amount. In fact, in the real world even a swapped out but won't do much to the value. Keep the old one in the case. It could be refitted.

For vintage I would always prefer something playable rather than original - so frets, nut, saddles, wiring etc are fine by me. I personally wouldn't spend that sort of money on a bass that was just to look at..

[ead]

I put some Fender Original 7150L Pure Nickel Wound (40/60/80/100) on my 66P which sound really nice.

[discreet]

Or you could buy some new La Bella flats, as used by Jamerson, Duck Dunn et al on many hit records from the 60s and 70s...

[Bridgehouse]

1 minute ago, discreet said:

Or you could buy some new La Bella flats, as used by Jamerson, Duck Dunn et al on many hit records from the 60s and 70s...

Experience of a bunch of flats on my 64 has led me to a few conclusions - those older Fenders like a bit of tension (the TIs didn't work as well).

LaBellas were nice, but the Chromes gave the best tone - but only after about 3 months once they had dulled a bit...

[discreet]

1 minute ago, Bridgehouse said:

LaBellas were nice, but the Chromes gave the best tone - but only after about 3 months once they had dulled a bit...

Yes, they are very bright at first which put me off a bit - also they seemed to be very high tension, which I found a alarming. I like fairly stiff strings, but these were like steel rods. I suppose I like at least a bit of give... don't like them too flexible or floppy, though... fnarr. La Bellas record very well - as you'd expect,  given the huge amount of evidence to support that statement!

[Bridgehouse]

5 minutes ago, discreet said:

Yes, they are very bright at first which put me off a bit - also they seemed to be very high tension, which I found a alarming. I like fairly stiff strings, but these were like steel rods. I suppose I like at least a bit of give... don't like them too flexible or floppy, though... fnarr. La Bellas record very well - as you'd expect,  given the huge amount of evidence to support that statement!

I had TIs on my 64 when I first got it. I never really felt that they were right, and tried Chromes as an experiment. 

At first the tension alarmed me too - I needed some real truss rod tweaking! However, some observations:

- The tension means I can get the neck really rod straight - and with an action of 1.5mm across the board it plays really really well

- It's more stable throughout the year - seems more balanced

- The tension does let up a bit as they bed in. I use TIs on another bass, and some labellas on another so it isn't just me getting used to them

- After 3 months they dull sufficiently to retain some chime but it's not dominant

[discreet]

23 minutes ago, Bridgehouse said:

The tension means I can get the neck really rod straight - and with an action of 1.5mm across the board it plays really really well.

Maybe I'll give Chromes another go... But I do love the sound and feel of LaBella 760FM. Obviously I need to buy another bass and fit Chromes to it...

[Sibob]

I've had a set of Chromes on my '71 Precision for the last couple of years and they're brilliant, no wish/need to try anything else, match made in heaven

Si

[Bridgehouse]

34 minutes ago, discreet said:

Maybe I'll give Chromes another go... But I do love the sound and feel of LaBella 760FM. Obviously I need to buy another bass and fit Chromes to it...

That's the spirit

[Bigwan]

Enablers!

[Kevsy71]

Thanks everyone, great tips.  I've opted for La Bella 760FS (.45. .65 .85 .105) as my usual 760 FLs were rattling around at the G and D and too low tension - and just don't suit the 7.25 fingerboard radius (at least to my fingertips...). And I agree, the neck seems to like tension! Will report back when they're on tomorrow.

[EssentialTension]

 

Some material of possible interest here: Fender stock bass strings in the 50s/early 60s

[discreet]

3 hours ago, EssentialTension said:

Some material of possible interest here: Fender stock bass strings in the 50s/early 60s

That's very interesting, thanks for posting.

[Bridgehouse]

23 minutes ago, Meddle said:

For those considering Chromes, have you tried Jim Dunlop flats? I use them on a couple of basses. The black silks fray quite easily, which is annoying, but beyond that they sound a wee bit mellower than Chromes, are better tonally balanced out the packet and bed in quicker than Chromes as well. And they're about a fiver cheaper or so. 

I have tried a set - kept them on a bass for a while. After settling I would say Chromes are about the same tonally (not at first tho!)

I didn't like the feel of the Jim Dunlops as much tho - just didn't seem as slick