A while back I bought a big box of strings from a music store that was downsizing. Like, 100+ sets. Mostly from the late 60s and early 70s I think. Many brands, from D-Aquisto to Roy Smeck, to Gibson, Guild, some weird ones.
Included were many sets of Fender "Goldene" strings. They are a sort of flatwounds, but the windings are a gold color and the unwound strings are a, well, gold or copper color. They feel a little "sticky", plasticky. They are incredibly heavy gauge. Like, a .060 low E with a .014 on the top. They have no date on them, but I'm thinking they are from the late 60s?
What were these strings intended for? What Fender instrument? Jazzmasters and Jaguars? I put some on my Jaguar and they worked well and sounded good, if a little unwieldy to play. They seem too light for a Bass VI, but way too heavy for most other guitars. Did they come standard on any guitars of the day?
Anybody else tried 'em? Any info appreciated. I have found no info online about these strings. (Only my own posts from years ago...) Will post images when I get home...
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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »
Fender Goldene strings?
Joined: Apr 09, 2007 Posts: 13 High Bridge, NJ |
Posted on Feb 10 2016 01:06 PM
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Joined: Nov 16, 2013 Posts: 4536 Wisconsin 
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Posted on Feb 10 2016 04:49 PM
It would be interesting to see a pic of the packaging. Mr. Fender originally designed the JM's bridge for very heavy strings of the day, and the original .013's on the Cliff Richard Strat was part of Hank's migration to loving that vibrato bar. Hard to tell without seeing. Even in the early 60's they were also dabbling in an acoustic line (the apparently forgettable Wildwood guitars). Quick perusal of Wheeler's & Smith's refs on my bookshelf didn't yield much more. Sounds from your previous postings that they work, though. Wes DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices. |
Joined: Sep 09, 2008 Posts: 3158 Guildford England 
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Posted on Feb 10 2016 04:50 PM
I was thinking they could be bronze wound for acoustic but looking on line there is such a thing gold plated strings. Searching for Goldene doesn't bring any rewards but Fender printed yearly string catalogues dating back to the 1960s. Here a 1969 catalogue scan, there might be others.
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Joined: Nov 16, 2013 Posts: 4536 Wisconsin
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Posted on Feb 10 2016 04:55 PM
crumble wrote:
I would not put it past a marketing person to characterize 'bronze' as 'Goldene'. That catalog page is a cool find, hadn't thought of string listings. Wes DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices. |
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Joined: Sep 09, 2008 Posts: 3158 Guildford England
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Posted on Feb 10 2016 05:05 PM
Google search with "vintage fender guitar strings" and use the image option, you'll be able to view this catalogue without eye strain. |
Joined: Jan 02, 2009 Posts: 1300 The original Plymouth, UK.
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Posted on Feb 11 2016 04:34 AM
Do they have a wound third? They could be acoustic strings. — |
Joined: Apr 28, 2006 Posts: 419 n.y.c.
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Posted on Feb 12 2016 10:41 AM
these were flatwound strings I had a set pyramid still makes them Facebook pages theSupertones |
Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 25329 Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.
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Posted on Feb 12 2016 11:28 AM
Dick Dale Plays 16-60, Jeff(bigtikidude) |
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Joined: Apr 09, 2007 Posts: 13 High Bridge, NJ |
Posted on Feb 15 2016 07:58 PM
Hey all... I took some snaps of the Fender Goldene packages. Doesn't say acoustic on the package. What acoustic would you put flatwounds on? Something with a pickup? I've heard that Gibson J-160s used flatwounds. Yes to the wound 3rd... Also included the insert listing other Fender strings of the time. Hmm, guess I should take a micrometer to them all and figure out the gauges. I see that these are included in the list of sets posted above as #60 - gold label flatwound. Last edited: Feb 15, 2016 20:10:28 |
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Joined: Nov 16, 2013 Posts: 4536 Wisconsin
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Posted on Feb 15 2016 08:40 PM
The JM headstock shape and the FMI reference in Santa Ana (vice Fullerton) make me think late 50's, or very early 60's. —Wes DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices. |
Joined: Feb 29, 2012 Posts: 310 Germany 
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Posted on Feb 16 2016 03:50 AM
If it says "spanish guitar" on the cover, it is maybe for a classical guitar? btw. why do you buy such old strings? Weren´t you afraid of getting only corroded wire? I have recently found some strings that were "only" 10+ years old, and they were nothing but rust... cheers |
Joined: Sep 28, 2012 Posts: 897 Berlin, Germany
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Posted on Feb 16 2016 04:47 AM
Didn't Fender advertize the Telecaster as an "electric Spanish guitar"? Probably to avoid confusion with "other" guitars like Hawaiian or Pedal Steel (and later Bass) "guitar". Oh, and I see in the list nylon strings for classical guitars are listed a bit below (No. 100), while the Goldenes are No. 60. I think, Tim is right: For some reason some people thought golden flatwounds would be nice. —Los Apollos - cinematic surf music trio (Berlin) Last edited: Feb 16, 2016 04:50:29 |
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Joined: Nov 16, 2013 Posts: 4536 Wisconsin
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Posted on Feb 16 2016 04:52 AM
The term Spanish guitar is as Simon pointed out. Early on it differentiated from the steel guitar (Hawaiian/lap-steel, etc.). In fact several of the patents involved in the iterations of Esquire & its children are applied for in terms of an electrified Spanish guitar. —Wes DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices. |
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Joined: Jan 02, 2009 Posts: 1300 The original Plymouth, UK.
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Posted on Feb 16 2016 04:59 AM
Badger wrote:
Gibson SG = Spanish Guitar — |
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Joined: Apr 09, 2007 Posts: 13 High Bridge, NJ |
Posted on Feb 16 2016 07:56 AM
LoeD: |
Joined: Apr 20, 2012 Posts: 57 
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Posted on Feb 16 2016 02:47 PM
Those strings would look great on a shoreline gold guitar Of course it's alive, you cannot make music with dead Muppahones! -- Marvin Suggs |
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