Menu
Boy, the things you learn in places like this. I always thought that
flatwounds had a dull tone to them and their only purpose was to
eliminate that screech noise when sliding your hand on the neck.
Isn't that why some jazz players use them? I'm reading here that
they're the only string that has enough tone to play through a
reverb tank? I never woulda thunk it. Looks like I gotta try 'em.
Please don't tell me that I also have to raise my action an inch and
a half off the neck though...ouch, pass the ice bucket please!
Dan
"I'm reading here that they're the only string that has enough tone to
play through a reverb tank? "
No, just if you want Dick Dale's tone...
Les
On Monday, September 6, 2004, at 05:48 PM, bigtwangguy wrote:
> Boy, the things you learn in places like this. I always thought that
> flatwounds had a dull tone to them and their only purpose was to
> eliminate that screech noise when sliding your hand on the neck.
> Isn't that why some jazz players use them? I'm reading here that
> they're the only string that has enough tone to play through a
> reverb tank? I never woulda thunk it. Looks like I gotta try 'em.
> Please don't tell me that I also have to raise my action an inch and
> a half off the neck though...ouch, pass the ice bucket please!
> Dan
>
>
>
>
>
> .
> Visit for archived
> messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
--- In , Leslie Fradkin <lfradkin@e...>
wrote:
> "I'm reading here that they're the only string that has enough tone
> to play through a reverb tank? "
>
> No, just if you want Dick Dale's tone...
Well, I really don't think so. I know of no evidence that Dick Dale
EVER used flatwounds. In general, I don't think flatwounds work very
well on a Strat. Just my opinion. I do know for a fact that Hank
Marvin of the Shadows used roundwounds from the very beginning (i.e.
Apache in 1960) and ever since. (He used Gibson Sonomatics back
then, strings that are again available.) I also know that the
Atlantics used roundwounds back in the day, since you can hear them
scratching the picks against the strings on several songs. To my
ears, Dick's tone is closer to the roundwounds than flatwounds.
However, flatwounds work really well with Jags and Jazzmaster,
especially when you start doing a lot of palm-muting with a lot of
reverb from a Fender reverb unit. Think Astronauts on Baja, Surf
Party, etc. Less agressive surf music, with that 'waterwell-ping',
wet reverb sound. Flatwounds sound much better for that kind of
stuff. So, it depends on what you want.
Incidentally, Les, why is that is people who are after the more
traditional reverbed tone are told that this is Dick Dale's sound,
while the more distorted, 'modern' tone is not referred to as Hendrix
tone or Clapton's tone or Beck's tone or Angus Young tone or
whatever? I think that just as you can use all those same overdriven
tones to find your own sound, one can also use the same setup as Dick
Dale or Eddie Bertrand circa '63 to come up with one's own sound, as
well. We've seen many modern surf guitarists prove that: Frankie
Blandino of the Fathoms, Dave Wronski of Slacktone, Evan Foster of
the Boss Martians, Rip Thrillby, John Blair of Jon & the Nightriders,
Shigeo Naki of the Surf Coasters, and many others all use basically
the same ingredients and equipment as Dick Dale and traditional surf
guitarists but all have their own distinctive style that at least I
find recognizable. I'm personally tired of the late sixties,
seventies and eighties guitar tones, since they have been way
overused, and they're not terribly modern to my ears, nor are they
terribly distinctive. I think they you can create a much more
personal tone by using the same equipment that DD and other surf
pioneers used for the simple fact that it hasn't been used by
thousands of other guitarists. There's a lot more to be done with
it. That's the philosophy to which I adhere, anyway. If you really
want a new, modern, different tone, do something like Reeves Gabrels
or Sonic Youth or whatever other experiment guitarists: use different
equipment than anybody else or in completely different ways than
others.
Just a few thoughts for further discussion...
Ivan
I should have said roundwounds. That's what I get for being in a hurry.
Les
On Wednesday, September 8, 2004, at 10:49 AM, ipongrac wrote:
>
> --- In , Leslie Fradkin <lfradkin@e...>
> wrote:
>> "I'm reading here that they're the only string that has enough tone
>> to play through a reverb tank? "
>>
>> No, just if you want Dick Dale's tone...
>
> Well, I really don't think so. I know of no evidence that Dick Dale
> EVER used flatwounds. In general, I don't think flatwounds work very
> well on a Strat. Just my opinion. I do know for a fact that Hank
> Marvin of the Shadows used roundwounds from the very beginning (i.e.
> Apache in 1960) and ever since. (He used Gibson Sonomatics back
> then, strings that are again available.) I also know that the
> Atlantics used roundwounds back in the day, since you can hear them
> scratching the picks against the strings on several songs. To my
> ears, Dick's tone is closer to the roundwounds than flatwounds.
>
> However, flatwounds work really well with Jags and Jazzmaster,
> especially when you start doing a lot of palm-muting with a lot of
> reverb from a Fender reverb unit. Think Astronauts on Baja, Surf
> Party, etc. Less agressive surf music, with that 'waterwell-ping',
> wet reverb sound. Flatwounds sound much better for that kind of
> stuff. So, it depends on what you want.
>
> Incidentally, Les, why is that is people who are after the more
> traditional reverbed tone are told that this is Dick Dale's sound,
> while the more distorted, 'modern' tone is not referred to as Hendrix
> tone or Clapton's tone or Beck's tone or Angus Young tone or
> whatever? I think that just as you can use all those same overdriven
> tones to find your own sound, one can also use the same setup as Dick
> Dale or Eddie Bertrand circa '63 to come up with one's own sound, as
> well. We've seen many modern surf guitarists prove that: Frankie
> Blandino of the Fathoms, Dave Wronski of Slacktone, Evan Foster of
> the Boss Martians, Rip Thrillby, John Blair of Jon & the Nightriders,
> Shigeo Naki of the Surf Coasters, and many others all use basically
> the same ingredients and equipment as Dick Dale and traditional surf
> guitarists but all have their own distinctive style that at least I
> find recognizable. I'm personally tired of the late sixties,
> seventies and eighties guitar tones, since they have been way
> overused, and they're not terribly modern to my ears, nor are they
> terribly distinctive. I think they you can create a much more
> personal tone by using the same equipment that DD and other surf
> pioneers used for the simple fact that it hasn't been used by
> thousands of other guitarists. There's a lot more to be done with
> it. That's the philosophy to which I adhere, anyway. If you really
> want a new, modern, different tone, do something like Reeves Gabrels
> or Sonic Youth or whatever other experiment guitarists: use different
> equipment than anybody else or in completely different ways than
> others.
>
> Just a few thoughts for further discussion...
>
> Ivan
>
>
>
>
> .
> Visit for archived
> messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
I'd like to hear someone use a tremolo effect in their
sound...a pulsing huge gut wrenching Leslie-speaker tremolo
unit...
hey! maybe that will be my sound!...
DP
--- ipongrac <> wrote:
>
> --- In , Leslie Fradkin
> <lfradkin@e...>
> wrote:
> > "I'm reading here that they're the only string that has
> enough tone
> > to play through a reverb tank? "
> >
> > No, just if you want Dick Dale's tone...
>
> Well, I really don't think so. I know of no evidence
> that Dick Dale
> EVER used flatwounds. In general, I don't think
> flatwounds work very
> well on a Strat. Just my opinion. I do know for a fact
> that Hank
> Marvin of the Shadows used roundwounds from the very
> beginning (i.e.
> Apache in 1960) and ever since. (He used Gibson
> Sonomatics back
> then, strings that are again available.) I also know
> that the
> Atlantics used roundwounds back in the day, since you can
> hear them
> scratching the picks against the strings on several
> songs. To my
> ears, Dick's tone is closer to the roundwounds than
> flatwounds.
>
> However, flatwounds work really well with Jags and
> Jazzmaster,
> especially when you start doing a lot of palm-muting with
> a lot of
> reverb from a Fender reverb unit. Think Astronauts on
> Baja, Surf
> Party, etc. Less agressive surf music, with that
> 'waterwell-ping',
> wet reverb sound. Flatwounds sound much better for that
> kind of
> stuff. So, it depends on what you want.
>
> Incidentally, Les, why is that is people who are after
> the more
> traditional reverbed tone are told that this is Dick
> Dale's sound,
> while the more distorted, 'modern' tone is not referred
> to as Hendrix
> tone or Clapton's tone or Beck's tone or Angus Young tone
> or
> whatever? I think that just as you can use all those
> same overdriven
> tones to find your own sound, one can also use the same
> setup as Dick
> Dale or Eddie Bertrand circa '63 to come up with one's
> own sound, as
> well. We've seen many modern surf guitarists prove that:
> Frankie
> Blandino of the Fathoms, Dave Wronski of Slacktone, Evan
> Foster of
> the Boss Martians, Rip Thrillby, John Blair of Jon & the
> Nightriders,
> Shigeo Naki of the Surf Coasters, and many others all use
> basically
> the same ingredients and equipment as Dick Dale and
> traditional surf
> guitarists but all have their own distinctive style that
> at least I
> find recognizable. I'm personally tired of the late
> sixties,
> seventies and eighties guitar tones, since they have been
> way
> overused, and they're not terribly modern to my ears, nor
> are they
> terribly distinctive. I think they you can create a much
> more
> personal tone by using the same equipment that DD and
> other surf
> pioneers used for the simple fact that it hasn't been
> used by
> thousands of other guitarists. There's a lot more to be
> done with
> it. That's the philosophy to which I adhere, anyway. If
> you really
> want a new, modern, different tone, do something like
> Reeves Gabrels
> or Sonic Youth or whatever other experiment guitarists:
> use different
> equipment than anybody else or in completely different
> ways than
> others.
>
> Just a few thoughts for further discussion...
>
> Ivan
>
>
>
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>
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> .
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> archived messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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What are some of the original surf songs that were played with flatwound
strings?
Dan
__________________________________________________
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Didn't Eddie Bertrand use flats for absolutely
everything? I'm sure that Bill will be here any
minute.
Richard
--- Dan Bartley <> wrote:
> What are some of the original surf songs that were
> played with flatwound strings?
> Dan
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
(This is really rushed, I've gotta get to work)
Richard, You're a funny guy! I've spoken with two guys who played
with Bertrand and both remember him using flats. These would have
probably been nickel flats.
I think Randy Holden may have used flats as well, the Ventures did on
their earlier stuff, Jim Messina sounds like he's got heavy strings on
his Stratocaster(atleast a wound G). Messina got the best sound from
his Strat, and it certainly doesn't sound like most guys who use
rounds on their Strats. There's no for sure answers to any of this.
That being said, these studio recordings of the old surf bands are
nothing to write home about. Which I think makes those old recordings
so cool. We spent so much time trying to get Eddie's sound and I'm
pretty sure whoever was recording the Showmen put little thought into
mic placement, amp placement etc. So a lot of those great sounds may
have just happened by chance. What I'm getting at is you can try all
day to sound like someone, but it just may be the way they were
recorded that sounds so great.
New bands: the Treblemakers used flats, and Evan Foster used Pyramid
Flats on his Jaguar through a Bandmaster for most of if not all of "13
Evil Tales"
Bill
www.reluctantaquanauts.com
--- In , Richard <errant_jedi@y...> wrote:
> Didn't Eddie Bertrand use flats for absolutely
> everything? I'm sure that Bill will be here any
> minute.
>
> Richard
>
> --- Dan Bartley <bigtwangguy@y...> wrote:
>
> > What are some of the original surf songs that were
> > played with flatwound strings?
> > Dan
>
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
>
--- In , Dan Bartley <bigtwangguy@y...>
wrote:
> What are some of the original surf songs that were played with
flatwound strings?
> Dan
This is an interesting question because I've always assumed that it
would be most surf songs from the 60's were recorded with flatwounds.
I've always been told that round wounds were not widely available in
the 60's. The most common strings were heavy flats. Again, this is
what I have gathered from being a surf-guitar nut for the last 8 or 9
years. I've asked this question on a variety of lists and forums. But
I'd love to be recalibrated. Maybe some of you older guys remember
what strings you used? ;-)
Players used to have to mix and match sets and even use banjo strings
if they wanted a lighter set or an unwound (plain) G string.
I do vaguely remember Paul Johnson confirming this, but I could be
wrong. It doesn't sound to me like Dick Dale was using flats, nor Hank
Marvin. But what do I know? I'd love to know what The Astronauts used.
BN
Yeah, John Entwistle told some story about roundwound strings first being only
available on a certain brand of bass guitar. When he broke a string during the
recording of My Generation (circa '65 or '66) , he had to get a new bass cause
nobody carried the strings.
-Marty
----- Original Message -----
From: Brian Neal
To:
Sent: Monday, June 20, 2005 5:07 PM
Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Re: flatwounds
--- In , Dan Bartley <bigtwangguy@y...>
wrote:
> What are some of the original surf songs that were played with
flatwound strings?
> Dan
This is an interesting question because I've always assumed that it
would be most surf songs from the 60's were recorded with flatwounds.
I've always been told that round wounds were not widely available in
the 60's. The most common strings were heavy flats. Again, this is
what I have gathered from being a surf-guitar nut for the last 8 or 9
years. I've asked this question on a variety of lists and forums. But
I'd love to be recalibrated. Maybe some of you older guys remember
what strings you used? ;-)
Players used to have to mix and match sets and even use banjo strings
if they wanted a lighter set or an unwound (plain) G string.
I do vaguely remember Paul Johnson confirming this, but I could be
wrong. It doesn't sound to me like Dick Dale was using flats, nor Hank
Marvin. But what do I know? I'd love to know what The Astronauts used.
BN
.
Visit for archived messages,
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Hank Marvin DEFINITELY was using roundwounds through the entire
Shadows career, including their first hit "Apache" from June 1960.
He used Gibson Sonomatics.
Ivan
--- In , "Brian Neal" <bgneal@g...>
wrote:
> --- In , Dan Bartley
<bigtwangguy@y...>
> wrote:
> > What are some of the original surf songs that were played with
> flatwound strings?
> > Dan
>
> This is an interesting question because I've always assumed that it
> would be most surf songs from the 60's were recorded with
flatwounds.
> I've always been told that round wounds were not widely available
in
> the 60's. The most common strings were heavy flats. Again, this is
> what I have gathered from being a surf-guitar nut for the last 8
or 9
> years. I've asked this question on a variety of lists and forums.
But
> I'd love to be recalibrated. Maybe some of you older guys remember
> what strings you used? ;-)
>
> Players used to have to mix and match sets and even use banjo
strings
> if they wanted a lighter set or an unwound (plain) G string.
>
> I do vaguely remember Paul Johnson confirming this, but I could be
> wrong. It doesn't sound to me like Dick Dale was using flats, nor
Hank
> Marvin. But what do I know? I'd love to know what The Astronauts
used.
>
> BN
Now that's interesting, Ivan. Is that published info?
-Marty
----- Original Message -----
From: ipongrac
To:
Sent: Monday, June 20, 2005 6:40 PM
Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Re: flatwounds
Hank Marvin DEFINITELY was using roundwounds through the entire
Shadows career, including their first hit "Apache" from June 1960.
He used Gibson Sonomatics.
Ivan
--- In , "Brian Neal" <bgneal@g...>
wrote:
> --- In , Dan Bartley
<bigtwangguy@y...>
> wrote:
> > What are some of the original surf songs that were played with
> flatwound strings?
> > Dan
>
> This is an interesting question because I've always assumed that it
> would be most surf songs from the 60's were recorded with
flatwounds.
> I've always been told that round wounds were not widely available
in
> the 60's. The most common strings were heavy flats. Again, this is
> what I have gathered from being a surf-guitar nut for the last 8
or 9
> years. I've asked this question on a variety of lists and forums.
But
> I'd love to be recalibrated. Maybe some of you older guys remember
> what strings you used? ;-)
>
> Players used to have to mix and match sets and even use banjo
strings
> if they wanted a lighter set or an unwound (plain) G string.
>
> I do vaguely remember Paul Johnson confirming this, but I could be
> wrong. It doesn't sound to me like Dick Dale was using flats, nor
Hank
> Marvin. But what do I know? I'd love to know what The Astronauts
used.
>
> BN
.
Visit for archived messages,
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
--- In , "ipongrac" <ipongrac@g...> wrote:
> Hank Marvin DEFINITELY was using roundwounds through the entire
> Shadows career, including their first hit "Apache" from June 1960.
> He used Gibson Sonomatics.
>
> Ivan
Thanks Ivan...it's data like this that makes me think the whole
"roundwounds were rare in the 60's" theory is a bit shaky. This was
1960 in England....so surely they were available (to some degree) in
the USA...??? How widely used they were is a related question.
BN
Marty, I'm sure it is, but I couldn't point you to it. It's just
something I've learned after many years of reading about Hank, and
more importantly, checking out the Shadow Music MSN group (kinda
like SG101 for Shadows fans). There's been a LOT of discussion
there about the strings used by Hank in the day, lot of it by old
geezers that were around back then and remember all this stuff! (I
gotta say that there's a lot more enthusiasm and dedication among
middle-aged guys that grew up playing the Shadows than the ones that
grew up playing surf music.) The general (and overwhelming)
consensus is that Hank used roundwounds on his Strats, again, even
as early as '60. There are a couple of detractors, but in general
everybody is on board with the roundwound theory. In fact, just
recently I read a post where somebody was quoting Bruce Welch saying
that the Shads were using roundwound Sonomatics in '64 (the topic
was some of their sounds from that period).
In addition, I have the book (!!) called "That Sound: The Story Of
the Magic Sound Of the Shadows" where an Italian guy went through
INSANE lengths to look at all the different components and the role
they play in getting Hank's sound (he's a reputable amp and guitar
tech). here's what he said about strings:
"We looked meticulously at a certain photograph taken on March 5th,
1961 at the Wembley Pollwinners' concert by Harry Hammond. In the
original photograph we could detect that the Stratocaster was strung
with heavy gauge round wound E, A, D and G strings with that
unmistakable whitish colour."
Incidentally, here's what else he said about strings:
"We extended our research down to the various brands of strings
available in the early sixties and we had the good fortune to
discover a few sets of NOS 1960s guitar strings. Then we compared
these 'old' strings against various sets of 'new' ones and, to our
great surprise, the 'old' strings sounded a lot better! We did the
test on a guitar with three A strings of different brands mounted at
the same time, in order to get rid of every possible inaccuracy. We
noticed that the 'old' strings had a longer sustain and, more
importantly, they delivered a timbre reminiscent of the sound of the
early recordings. The 'new' strings weren't bad, but they sounded
unconvincing and unsuitable for the purpose of reproducing the
original 'Sound.'"
Take from that what you will...
Ivan
--- In , "Marty Tippens"
<mctippens@e...> wrote:
> Now that's interesting, Ivan. Is that published info?
> -Marty
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: ipongrac
> To:
> Sent: Monday, June 20, 2005 6:40 PM
> Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Re: flatwounds
>
>
> Hank Marvin DEFINITELY was using roundwounds through the entire
> Shadows career, including their first hit "Apache" from June
1960.
> He used Gibson Sonomatics.
>
> Ivan
>
> --- In , "Brian Neal" <bgneal@g...>
> wrote:
> > --- In , Dan Bartley
> <bigtwangguy@y...>
> > wrote:
> > > What are some of the original surf songs that were played
with
> > flatwound strings?
> > > Dan
> >
> > This is an interesting question because I've always assumed
that it
> > would be most surf songs from the 60's were recorded with
> flatwounds.
> > I've always been told that round wounds were not widely
available
> in
> > the 60's. The most common strings were heavy flats. Again,
this is
> > what I have gathered from being a surf-guitar nut for the last
8
> or 9
> > years. I've asked this question on a variety of lists and
forums.
> But
> > I'd love to be recalibrated. Maybe some of you older guys
remember
> > what strings you used? ;-)
> >
> > Players used to have to mix and match sets and even use banjo
> strings
> > if they wanted a lighter set or an unwound (plain) G string.
> >
> > I do vaguely remember Paul Johnson confirming this, but I
could be
> > wrong. It doesn't sound to me like Dick Dale was using flats,
nor
> Hank
> > Marvin. But what do I know? I'd love to know what The
Astronauts
> used.
> >
> > BN
>
>
>
>
> .
> Visit for archived
messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
>
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
>
>
> b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>
>
> c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms
of Service.
>
>
>
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>
> This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Yeah, those guys on the Shadow MSN group do know every detail. The musician
members seem to be in contest to try and record the closest possible duplication
of various Shadows records.
-Marty
----- Original Message -----
From: ipongrac
To:
Sent: Monday, June 20, 2005 8:47 PM
Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Re: flatwounds
Marty, I'm sure it is, but I couldn't point you to it. It's just
something I've learned after many years of reading about Hank, and
more importantly, checking out the Shadow Music MSN group (kinda
like SG101 for Shadows fans). There's been a LOT of discussion
there about the strings used by Hank in the day, lot of it by old
geezers that were around back then and remember all this stuff! (I
gotta say that there's a lot more enthusiasm and dedication among
middle-aged guys that grew up playing the Shadows than the ones that
grew up playing surf music.) The general (and overwhelming)
consensus is that Hank used roundwounds on his Strats, again, even
as early as '60. There are a couple of detractors, but in general
everybody is on board with the roundwound theory. In fact, just
recently I read a post where somebody was quoting Bruce Welch saying
that the Shads were using roundwound Sonomatics in '64 (the topic
was some of their sounds from that period).
In addition, I have the book (!!) called "That Sound: The Story Of
the Magic Sound Of the Shadows" where an Italian guy went through
INSANE lengths to look at all the different components and the role
they play in getting Hank's sound (he's a reputable amp and guitar
tech). here's what he said about strings:
"We looked meticulously at a certain photograph taken on March 5th,
1961 at the Wembley Pollwinners' concert by Harry Hammond. In the
original photograph we could detect that the Stratocaster was strung
with heavy gauge round wound E, A, D and G strings with that
unmistakable whitish colour."
Incidentally, here's what else he said about strings:
"We extended our research down to the various brands of strings
available in the early sixties and we had the good fortune to
discover a few sets of NOS 1960s guitar strings. Then we compared
these 'old' strings against various sets of 'new' ones and, to our
great surprise, the 'old' strings sounded a lot better! We did the
test on a guitar with three A strings of different brands mounted at
the same time, in order to get rid of every possible inaccuracy. We
noticed that the 'old' strings had a longer sustain and, more
importantly, they delivered a timbre reminiscent of the sound of the
early recordings. The 'new' strings weren't bad, but they sounded
unconvincing and unsuitable for the purpose of reproducing the
original 'Sound.'"
Take from that what you will...
Ivan
--- In , "Marty Tippens"
<mctippens@e...> wrote:
> Now that's interesting, Ivan. Is that published info?
> -Marty
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: ipongrac
> To:
> Sent: Monday, June 20, 2005 6:40 PM
> Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Re: flatwounds
>
>
> Hank Marvin DEFINITELY was using roundwounds through the entire
> Shadows career, including their first hit "Apache" from June
1960.
> He used Gibson Sonomatics.
>
> Ivan
>
> --- In , "Brian Neal" <bgneal@g...>
> wrote:
> > --- In , Dan Bartley
> <bigtwangguy@y...>
> > wrote:
> > > What are some of the original surf songs that were played
with
> > flatwound strings?
> > > Dan
> >
> > This is an interesting question because I've always assumed
that it
> > would be most surf songs from the 60's were recorded with
> flatwounds.
> > I've always been told that round wounds were not widely
available
> in
> > the 60's. The most common strings were heavy flats. Again,
this is
> > what I have gathered from being a surf-guitar nut for the last
8
> or 9
> > years. I've asked this question on a variety of lists and
forums.
> But
> > I'd love to be recalibrated. Maybe some of you older guys
remember
> > what strings you used? ;-)
> >
> > Players used to have to mix and match sets and even use banjo
> strings
> > if they wanted a lighter set or an unwound (plain) G string.
> >
> > I do vaguely remember Paul Johnson confirming this, but I
could be
> > wrong. It doesn't sound to me like Dick Dale was using flats,
nor
> Hank
> > Marvin. But what do I know? I'd love to know what The
Astronauts
> used.
> >
> > BN
>
>
>
>
> .
> Visit for archived
messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
>
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
>
>
> b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>
>
> c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms
of Service.
>
>
>
> __________ NOD32 1.1146 (20050620) Information __________
>
> This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
.
Visit for archived messages,
bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
__________ NOD32 1.1146 (20050620) Information __________
This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I wish I knew which brands of NOS 1960s strings they
tested...Gibson, Fender, Mosrite, Thomastik, Pyramid,
LaBella...the mystery continues...
-dp
--- Marty Tippens <> wrote:
> Yeah, those guys on the Shadow MSN group do know every
> detail. The musician members seem to be in contest to try
> and record the closest possible duplication of various
> Shadows records.
> -Marty
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: ipongrac
> To:
> Sent: Monday, June 20, 2005 8:47 PM
> Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Re: flatwounds
>
>
> Marty, I'm sure it is, but I couldn't point you to it.
> It's just
> something I've learned after many years of reading
> about Hank, and
> more importantly, checking out the Shadow Music MSN
> group (kinda
> like SG101 for Shadows fans). There's been a LOT of
> discussion
> there about the strings used by Hank in the day, lot of
> it by old
> geezers that were around back then and remember all
> this stuff! (I
> gotta say that there's a lot more enthusiasm and
> dedication among
> middle-aged guys that grew up playing the Shadows than
> the ones that
> grew up playing surf music.) The general (and
> overwhelming)
> consensus is that Hank used roundwounds on his Strats,
> again, even
> as early as '60. There are a couple of detractors, but
> in general
> everybody is on board with the roundwound theory. In
> fact, just
> recently I read a post where somebody was quoting Bruce
> Welch saying
> that the Shads were using roundwound Sonomatics in '64
> (the topic
> was some of their sounds from that period).
>
> In addition, I have the book (!!) called "That Sound:
> The Story Of
> the Magic Sound Of the Shadows" where an Italian guy
> went through
> INSANE lengths to look at all the different components
> and the role
> they play in getting Hank's sound (he's a reputable amp
> and guitar
> tech). here's what he said about strings:
>
> "We looked meticulously at a certain photograph taken
> on March 5th,
> 1961 at the Wembley Pollwinners' concert by Harry
> Hammond. In the
> original photograph we could detect that the
> Stratocaster was strung
> with heavy gauge round wound E, A, D and G strings with
> that
> unmistakable whitish colour."
>
> Incidentally, here's what else he said about strings:
>
> "We extended our research down to the various brands of
> strings
> available in the early sixties and we had the good
> fortune to
> discover a few sets of NOS 1960s guitar strings. Then
> we compared
> these 'old' strings against various sets of 'new' ones
> and, to our
> great surprise, the 'old' strings sounded a lot better!
> We did the
> test on a guitar with three A strings of different
> brands mounted at
> the same time, in order to get rid of every possible
> inaccuracy. We
> noticed that the 'old' strings had a longer sustain
> and, more
> importantly, they delivered a timbre reminiscent of the
> sound of the
> early recordings. The 'new' strings weren't bad, but
> they sounded
> unconvincing and unsuitable for the purpose of
> reproducing the
> original 'Sound.'"
>
> Take from that what you will...
> Ivan
>
> --- In , "Marty Tippens"
> <mctippens@e...> wrote:
> > Now that's interesting, Ivan. Is that published info?
> > -Marty
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: ipongrac
> > To:
> > Sent: Monday, June 20, 2005 6:40 PM
> > Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Re: flatwounds
> >
> >
> > Hank Marvin DEFINITELY was using roundwounds
> through the entire
> > Shadows career, including their first hit "Apache"
> from June
> 1960.
> > He used Gibson Sonomatics.
> >
> > Ivan
> >
> > --- In , "Brian Neal"
> <bgneal@g...>
> > wrote:
> > > --- In , Dan Bartley
>
> > <bigtwangguy@y...>
> > > wrote:
> > > > What are some of the original surf songs that
> were played
> with
> > > flatwound strings?
> > > > Dan
> > >
> > > This is an interesting question because I've
> always assumed
> that it
> > > would be most surf songs from the 60's were
> recorded with
> > flatwounds.
> > > I've always been told that round wounds were not
> widely
> available
> > in
> > > the 60's. The most common strings were heavy
> flats. Again,
> this is
> > > what I have gathered from being a surf-guitar nut
> for the last
> 8
> > or 9
> > > years. I've asked this question on a variety of
> lists and
> forums.
> > But
> > > I'd love to be recalibrated. Maybe some of you
> older guys
> remember
> > > what strings you used? ;-)
> > >
> > > Players used to have to mix and match sets and
> even use banjo
> > strings
> > > if they wanted a lighter set or an unwound
> (plain) G string.
> > >
> > > I do vaguely remember Paul Johnson confirming
> this, but I
> could be
> > > wrong. It doesn't sound to me like Dick Dale was
> using flats,
> nor
> > Hank
> > > Marvin. But what do I know? I'd love to know what
> The
> Astronauts
> > used.
> > >
> > > BN
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > .
> > Visit
> for archived
> messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
-------------------------------------------------------------------
> -----------
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> > a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
> >
> >
> > b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email
> to:
> >
> >
> > c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the
> Yahoo! Terms
> of Service.
> >
> >
> >
> > __________ NOD32 1.1146 (20050620) Information
> __________
>
=== message truncated ===
____________________________________________________
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Rekindle the Rivalries. Sign up for Fantasy Football
Gretsch has some NOS bass strings at the above link. Pretty good price
when you compare them to modern strings.
--- In , DP <noetical1@y...> wrote:
> I wish I knew which brands of NOS 1960s strings they
> tested...Gibson, Fender, Mosrite, Thomastik, Pyramid,
> LaBella...the mystery continues...
>
> -dp
>
>
>
>
> --- Marty Tippens <mctippens@e...> wrote:
>
> > Yeah, those guys on the Shadow MSN group do know every
> > detail. The musician members seem to be in contest to try
> > and record the closest possible duplication of various
> > Shadows records.
> > -Marty
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: ipongrac
> > To:
> > Sent: Monday, June 20, 2005 8:47 PM
> > Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Re: flatwounds
> >
> >
> > Marty, I'm sure it is, but I couldn't point you to it.
> > It's just
> > something I've learned after many years of reading
> > about Hank, and
> > more importantly, checking out the Shadow Music MSN
> > group (kinda
> > like SG101 for Shadows fans). There's been a LOT of
> > discussion
> > there about the strings used by Hank in the day, lot of
> > it by old
> > geezers that were around back then and remember all
> > this stuff! (I
> > gotta say that there's a lot more enthusiasm and
> > dedication among
> > middle-aged guys that grew up playing the Shadows than
> > the ones that
> > grew up playing surf music.) The general (and
> > overwhelming)
> > consensus is that Hank used roundwounds on his Strats,
> > again, even
> > as early as '60. There are a couple of detractors, but
> > in general
> > everybody is on board with the roundwound theory. In
> > fact, just
> > recently I read a post where somebody was quoting Bruce
> > Welch saying
> > that the Shads were using roundwound Sonomatics in '64
> > (the topic
> > was some of their sounds from that period).
> >
> > In addition, I have the book (!!) called "That Sound:
> > The Story Of
> > the Magic Sound Of the Shadows" where an Italian guy
> > went through
> > INSANE lengths to look at all the different components
> > and the role
> > they play in getting Hank's sound (he's a reputable amp
> > and guitar
> > tech). here's what he said about strings:
> >
> > "We looked meticulously at a certain photograph taken
> > on March 5th,
> > 1961 at the Wembley Pollwinners' concert by Harry
> > Hammond. In the
> > original photograph we could detect that the
> > Stratocaster was strung
> > with heavy gauge round wound E, A, D and G strings with
> > that
> > unmistakable whitish colour."
> >
> > Incidentally, here's what else he said about strings:
> >
> > "We extended our research down to the various brands of
> > strings
> > available in the early sixties and we had the good
> > fortune to
> > discover a few sets of NOS 1960s guitar strings. Then
> > we compared
> > these 'old' strings against various sets of 'new' ones
> > and, to our
> > great surprise, the 'old' strings sounded a lot better!
> > We did the
> > test on a guitar with three A strings of different
> > brands mounted at
> > the same time, in order to get rid of every possible
> > inaccuracy. We
> > noticed that the 'old' strings had a longer sustain
> > and, more
> > importantly, they delivered a timbre reminiscent of the
> > sound of the
> > early recordings. The 'new' strings weren't bad, but
> > they sounded
> > unconvincing and unsuitable for the purpose of
> > reproducing the
> > original 'Sound.'"
> >
> > Take from that what you will...
> > Ivan
> >
> > --- In , "Marty Tippens"
> > <mctippens@e...> wrote:
> > > Now that's interesting, Ivan. Is that published info?
> > > -Marty
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: ipongrac
> > > To:
> > > Sent: Monday, June 20, 2005 6:40 PM
> > > Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Re: flatwounds
> > >
> > >
> > > Hank Marvin DEFINITELY was using roundwounds
> > through the entire
> > > Shadows career, including their first hit "Apache"
> > from June
> > 1960.
> > > He used Gibson Sonomatics.
> > >
> > > Ivan
> > >
> > > --- In , "Brian Neal"
> > <bgneal@g...>
> > > wrote:
> > > > --- In , Dan Bartley
> >
> > > <bigtwangguy@y...>
> > > > wrote:
> > > > > What are some of the original surf songs that
> > were played
> > with
> > > > flatwound strings?
> > > > > Dan
> > > >
> > > > This is an interesting question because I've
> > always assumed
> > that it
> > > > would be most surf songs from the 60's were
> > recorded with
> > > flatwounds.
> > > > I've always been told that round wounds were not
> > widely
> > available
> > > in
> > > > the 60's. The most common strings were heavy
> > flats. Again,
> > this is
> > > > what I have gathered from being a surf-guitar nut
> > for the last
> > 8
> > > or 9
> > > > years. I've asked this question on a variety of
> > lists and
> > forums.
> > > But
> > > > I'd love to be recalibrated. Maybe some of you
> > older guys
> > remember
> > > > what strings you used? ;-)
> > > >
> > > > Players used to have to mix and match sets and
> > even use banjo
> > > strings
> > > > if they wanted a lighter set or an unwound
> > (plain) G string.
> > > >
> > > > I do vaguely remember Paul Johnson confirming
> > this, but I
> > could be
> > > > wrong. It doesn't sound to me like Dick Dale was
> > using flats,
> > nor
> > > Hank
> > > > Marvin. But what do I know? I'd love to know what
> > The
> > Astronauts
> > > used.
> > > >
> > > > BN
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > .
> > > Visit
> > for archived
> > messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
> > -----------
> > > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > >
> > > a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
> > >
> > >
> > > b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email
> > to:
> > >
> > >
> > > c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the
> > Yahoo! Terms
> > of Service.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > __________ NOD32 1.1146 (20050620) Information
> > __________
> >
> === message truncated ===
>
>
>
>
> ____________________________________________________
> Yahoo! Sports
> Rekindle the Rivalries. Sign up for Fantasy Football
>
Ivan is right that we should take what we will from what appear to be anecdotal
claims. It's not clear if they ran a true blindfold test when they make claims
of the old strings over the new. It is a fairly natural inclination for many
folks to endear old gear, or strings in this case, over new. Sustain properties
of various strings, for example, can't accurately be measured with human hands
and ears. The better way to test the sustain of strings would require an
accurate mechanical device that would provide equal picking attack to the string
and an oscilloscope with a timed scale to mark when the amplitude of the
sustained note dipped below a determined value.
-Marty
----- Original Message -----
From: DP
To:
Sent: Monday, June 20, 2005 10:27 PM
Subject: Re: [SurfGuitar101] Re: flatwounds
I wish I knew which brands of NOS 1960s strings they
tested...Gibson, Fender, Mosrite, Thomastik, Pyramid,
LaBella...the mystery continues...
-dp
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: ipongrac
> To:
> Sent: Monday, June 20, 2005 8:47 PM
> Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Re: flatwounds
>
>
...Incidentally, here's what else he said about strings:
>
> "We extended our research down to the various brands of
> strings
> available in the early sixties and we had the good
> fortune to
> discover a few sets of NOS 1960s guitar strings. Then
> we compared
> these 'old' strings against various sets of 'new' ones
> and, to our
> great surprise, the 'old' strings sounded a lot better!
> We did the
> test on a guitar with three A strings of different
> brands mounted at
> the same time, in order to get rid of every possible
> inaccuracy. We
> noticed that the 'old' strings had a longer sustain
> and, more
> importantly, they delivered a timbre reminiscent of the
> sound of the
> early recordings. The 'new' strings weren't bad, but
> they sounded
> unconvincing and unsuitable for the purpose of
> reproducing the
> original 'Sound.'"
>
> Take from that what you will...
> Ivan
>
> --- In , "Marty Tippens"
> <mctippens@e...> wrote:
> > Now that's interesting, Ivan. Is that published info?
> > -Marty
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: ipongrac
> > To:
> > Sent: Monday, June 20, 2005 6:40 PM
> > Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Re: flatwounds
> >
> >
> > Hank Marvin DEFINITELY was using roundwounds
> through the entire
> > Shadows career, including their first hit "Apache"
> from June
> 1960.
> > He used Gibson Sonomatics.
> >
> > Ivan
> >
> > --- In , "Brian Neal"
> <bgneal@g...>
> > wrote:
> > > --- In , Dan Bartley
>
> > <bigtwangguy@y...>
> > > wrote:
> > > > What are some of the original surf songs that
> were played
> with
> > > flatwound strings?
> > > > Dan
> > >
> > > This is an interesting question because I've
> always assumed
> that it
> > > would be most surf songs from the 60's were
> recorded with
> > flatwounds.
> > > I've always been told that round wounds were not
> widely
> available
> > in
> > > the 60's. The most common strings were heavy
> flats. Again,
> this is
> > > what I have gathered from being a surf-guitar nut
> for the last
> 8
> > or 9
> > > years. I've asked this question on a variety of
> lists and
> forums.
> > But
> > > I'd love to be recalibrated. Maybe some of you
> older guys
> remember
> > > what strings you used? ;-)
> > >
> > > Players used to have to mix and match sets and
> even use banjo
> > strings
> > > if they wanted a lighter set or an unwound
> (plain) G string.
> > >
> > > I do vaguely remember Paul Johnson confirming
> this, but I
> could be
> > > wrong. It doesn't sound to me like Dick Dale was
> using flats,
> nor
> > Hank
> > > Marvin. But what do I know? I'd love to know what
> The
> Astronauts
> > used.
> > >
> > > BN
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > .
> > Visit
> for archived
> messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
-------------------------------------------------------------------
> -----------
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> > a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
> >
> >
> > b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email
> to:
> >
> >
> > c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the
> Yahoo! Terms
> of Service.
> >
> >
> >
> > __________ NOD32 1.1146 (20050620) Information
> __________
>
=== message truncated ===
____________________________________________________
Yahoo! Sports
Rekindle the Rivalries. Sign up for Fantasy Football
.
Visit for archived messages,
bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
__________ NOD32 1.1146 (20050620) Information __________
This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Yes, the proper way to evaluate strings would be in a machine setup
identically for each string. To me, their test is invalidated merely
by the fact that they put the strings all on the same guitar at once.
Not only is there a difference in nut slot width and pickup pole
strength at different string positions, but there is also difference
in nut-to-tuner string length that is significant to added harmonics
and resonance.
The proper way would be to put the strings in a machine that has 3
identical steups, and perform the test in a double-blind fashion using
not only electronic measurements, but also the sound test.
My personal take is that most gear nowadays has fortunately been
subject to the judicious application of materials science and quality
control resulting in products that are far more consistent, durable,
and affordable. Every process has its escapes, resulting in the
occasional glitchy product, but thoughtful use of modern process
control helps to ensure that these are infrequent occurences.
--- In , "Marty Tippens" <mctippens@e...>
wrote:
> Ivan is right that we should take what we will from what appear to
be anecdotal claims. It's not clear if they ran a true blindfold test
when they make claims of the old strings over the new. It is a fairly
natural inclination for many folks to endear old gear, or strings in
this case, over new. Sustain properties of various strings, for
example, can't accurately be measured with human hands and ears. The
better way to test the sustain of strings would require an accurate
mechanical device that would provide equal picking attack to the
string and an oscilloscope with a timed scale to mark when the
amplitude of the sustained note dipped below a determined value.
>
> -Marty
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: DP
> To:
> Sent: Monday, June 20, 2005 10:27 PM
> Subject: Re: [SurfGuitar101] Re: flatwounds
>
>
> I wish I knew which brands of NOS 1960s strings they
> tested...Gibson, Fender, Mosrite, Thomastik, Pyramid,
> LaBella...the mystery continues...
>
> -dp
>
>
>
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: ipongrac
> > To:
> > Sent: Monday, June 20, 2005 8:47 PM
> > Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Re: flatwounds
> >
> >
> ...Incidentally, here's what else he said about strings:
> >
> > "We extended our research down to the various brands of
> > strings
> > available in the early sixties and we had the good
> > fortune to
> > discover a few sets of NOS 1960s guitar strings. Then
> > we compared
> > these 'old' strings against various sets of 'new' ones
> > and, to our
> > great surprise, the 'old' strings sounded a lot better!
> > We did the
> > test on a guitar with three A strings of different
> > brands mounted at
> > the same time, in order to get rid of every possible
> > inaccuracy. We
> > noticed that the 'old' strings had a longer sustain
> > and, more
> > importantly, they delivered a timbre reminiscent of the
> > sound of the
> > early recordings. The 'new' strings weren't bad, but
> > they sounded
> > unconvincing and unsuitable for the purpose of
> > reproducing the
> > original 'Sound.'"
> >
> > Take from that what you will...
> > Ivan
> >
> > --- In , "Marty Tippens"
> > <mctippens@e...> wrote:
> > > Now that's interesting, Ivan. Is that published info?
> > > -Marty
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: ipongrac
> > > To:
> > > Sent: Monday, June 20, 2005 6:40 PM
> > > Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Re: flatwounds
> > >
> > >
> > > Hank Marvin DEFINITELY was using roundwounds
> > through the entire
> > > Shadows career, including their first hit "Apache"
> > from June
> > 1960.
> > > He used Gibson Sonomatics.
> > >
> > > Ivan
> > >
> > > --- In , "Brian Neal"
> > <bgneal@g...>
> > > wrote:
> > > > --- In , Dan Bartley
> >
> > > <bigtwangguy@y...>
> > > > wrote:
> > > > > What are some of the original surf songs that
> > were played
> > with
> > > > flatwound strings?
> > > > > Dan
> > > >
> > > > This is an interesting question because I've
> > always assumed
> > that it
> > > > would be most surf songs from the 60's were
> > recorded with
> > > flatwounds.
> > > > I've always been told that round wounds were not
> > widely
> > available
> > > in
> > > > the 60's. The most common strings were heavy
> > flats. Again,
> > this is
> > > > what I have gathered from being a surf-guitar nut
> > for the last
> > 8
> > > or 9
> > > > years. I've asked this question on a variety of
> > lists and
> > forums.
> > > But
> > > > I'd love to be recalibrated. Maybe some of you
> > older guys
> > remember
> > > > what strings you used? ;-)
> > > >
> > > > Players used to have to mix and match sets and
> > even use banjo
> > > strings
> > > > if they wanted a lighter set or an unwound
> > (plain) G string.
> > > >
> > > > I do vaguely remember Paul Johnson confirming
> > this, but I
> > could be
> > > > wrong. It doesn't sound to me like Dick Dale was
> > using flats,
> > nor
> > > Hank
> > > > Marvin. But what do I know? I'd love to know what
> > The
> > Astronauts
> > > used.
> > > >
> > > > BN
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > .
> > > Visit
> > for archived
> > messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> ----------------------------------------------
---------------------
> > -----------
> > > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > >
> > > a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
> > >
> > >
> > > b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email
> > to:
> > >
> > >
> > > c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the
> > Yahoo! Terms
> > of Service.
> > >
> > >
> > >
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This is what pisses me off about people "A/Bing" things. Do they have
an A/B switch? No. Do they know exactly what they are testing? Yes.
--- In , "Marty Tippens" <mctippens@e...>
wrote:
> Ivan is right that we should take what we will from what appear to
be anecdotal claims. It's not clear if they ran a true blindfold test
when they make claims of the old strings over the new. It is a fairly
natural inclination for many folks to endear old gear, or strings in
this case, over new. Sustain properties of various strings, for
example, can't accurately be measured with human hands and ears. The
better way to test the sustain of strings would require an accurate
mechanical device that would provide equal picking attack to the
string and an oscilloscope with a timed scale to mark when the
amplitude of the sustained note dipped below a determined value.
>
> -Marty
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: DP
> To:
> Sent: Monday, June 20, 2005 10:27 PM
> Subject: Re: [SurfGuitar101] Re: flatwounds
>
>
> I wish I knew which brands of NOS 1960s strings they
> tested...Gibson, Fender, Mosrite, Thomastik, Pyramid,
> LaBella...the mystery continues...
>
> -dp
>
>
>
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: ipongrac
> > To:
> > Sent: Monday, June 20, 2005 8:47 PM
> > Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Re: flatwounds
> >
> >
> ...Incidentally, here's what else he said about strings:
> >
> > "We extended our research down to the various brands of
> > strings
> > available in the early sixties and we had the good
> > fortune to
> > discover a few sets of NOS 1960s guitar strings. Then
> > we compared
> > these 'old' strings against various sets of 'new' ones
> > and, to our
> > great surprise, the 'old' strings sounded a lot better!
> > We did the
> > test on a guitar with three A strings of different
> > brands mounted at
> > the same time, in order to get rid of every possible
> > inaccuracy. We
> > noticed that the 'old' strings had a longer sustain
> > and, more
> > importantly, they delivered a timbre reminiscent of the
> > sound of the
> > early recordings. The 'new' strings weren't bad, but
> > they sounded
> > unconvincing and unsuitable for the purpose of
> > reproducing the
> > original 'Sound.'"
> >
> > Take from that what you will...
> > Ivan
> >
> > --- In , "Marty Tippens"
> > <mctippens@e...> wrote:
> > > Now that's interesting, Ivan. Is that published info?
> > > -Marty
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: ipongrac
> > > To:
> > > Sent: Monday, June 20, 2005 6:40 PM
> > > Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Re: flatwounds
> > >
> > >
> > > Hank Marvin DEFINITELY was using roundwounds
> > through the entire
> > > Shadows career, including their first hit "Apache"
> > from June
> > 1960.
> > > He used Gibson Sonomatics.
> > >
> > > Ivan
> > >
> > > --- In , "Brian Neal"
> > <bgneal@g...>
> > > wrote:
> > > > --- In , Dan Bartley
> >
> > > <bigtwangguy@y...>
> > > > wrote:
> > > > > What are some of the original surf songs that
> > were played
> > with
> > > > flatwound strings?
> > > > > Dan
> > > >
> > > > This is an interesting question because I've
> > always assumed
> > that it
> > > > would be most surf songs from the 60's were
> > recorded with
> > > flatwounds.
> > > > I've always been told that round wounds were not
> > widely
> > available
> > > in
> > > > the 60's. The most common strings were heavy
> > flats. Again,
> > this is
> > > > what I have gathered from being a surf-guitar nut
> > for the last
> > 8
> > > or 9
> > > > years. I've asked this question on a variety of
> > lists and
> > forums.
> > > But
> > > > I'd love to be recalibrated. Maybe some of you
> > older guys
> > remember
> > > > what strings you used? ;-)
> > > >
> > > > Players used to have to mix and match sets and
> > even use banjo
> > > strings
> > > > if they wanted a lighter set or an unwound
> > (plain) G string.
> > > >
> > > > I do vaguely remember Paul Johnson confirming
> > this, but I
> > could be
> > > > wrong. It doesn't sound to me like Dick Dale was
> > using flats,
> > nor
> > > Hank
> > > > Marvin. But what do I know? I'd love to know what
> > The
> > Astronauts
> > > used.
> > > >
> > > > BN
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > .
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> > for archived
> > messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
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