Downside of buying a used guitar

**GNAPPI** · 01-12-2013, 10:00 AM

I've used round wound strings all my life because I like the brighter tone possibilities compared to flatwound strings.

Over a year ago I bought a guitar with GREAT flatwound strings on it. They're brighter, louder and resonate more than flats I've tried before but they're getting old and need a change. I'm hoping someone here has some ideas on what they may be.

They're flatwounds, not too heavy maybe 11's, and the wound strings are dark black coated.

**PTChristopher** · 01-12-2013, 10:07 AM

Info is maybe a good idea:

Any wraps? What color?

Brass or silly D'Addairo colors on the ball ends?

Cut the low E and pull off some windings. Ribbon wound, or ground after winding? Multiple layers of winding - flat ribbon over round or something? Core cross section - Round vs. Hexagonal?

This should all help your forensics.

Chris

**oldane** · 01-12-2013, 10:30 AM

It may be the La Bella wound with black nylon tape but it's hard to say without seeing then.

**Patrick2** · 01-12-2013, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by PTChristopher

Info is maybe a good idea:

Any wraps? What color?

Brass or silly D'Addairo colors on the ball ends?

Cut the low E and pull off some windings. Ribbon wound, or ground after winding? Multiple layers of winding - flat ribbon over round or something? Core cross section - Round vs. Hexagonal?

This should all help your forensics.

Chris

Sheeezz!!!!!!

**PTChristopher** · 01-12-2013, 10:54 AM

I though that Sheeezz stopped making flats in the 90's.

**PTChristopher** · 01-12-2013, 10:56 AM

Are the dark windings nylon tape?

**M-ster** · 01-12-2013, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by oldane

It may be the La Bella wound with black nylon tape but it's hard to say without seeing then.

Start with oldane's (and Chris') question.

You also might try taking a couple of strings off and walking them into your local music store. "Guys, what kind of strings are these?"

**JPMike** · 01-12-2013, 11:42 AM

I have to agree sometimes when I buy a used guitar I avoid changing strings cause they just feel good.

PTChris, that earlier post blew me away a bit! lol

**GNAPPI** · 01-12-2013, 11:48 AM

The ball ends are brass, the wraps are all purple but only on the wound strings. The rest of the forensics I'll pass on because I have no idea what I'd be looking at if I dissected a string. If it were a frog, maybe, string? Nah :-)

I don't think the guys in music stores have ever seen a set of flats other than those that might be on trade in instruments.

**docbop** · 01-12-2013, 12:25 PM

Have you tried talking to some place that specializes in strings to see if they recognize what you have from your description. I'd try talking to Strings, Instrument Strings, Music Strings for Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Fiddle and More for a start.

**M-ster** · 01-12-2013, 04:39 PM

Maybe show a photo? Throw us a bone, here!

**LtKojak** · 01-13-2013, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by GNAPPI

I've used round wound strings all my life because I like the brighter tone possibilities compared to flatwound strings.

Over a year ago I bought a guitar with GREAT flatwound strings on it. They're brighter, louder and resonate more than flats I've tried before but they're getting old and need a change. I'm hoping someone here has some ideas on what they may be.

They're flatwounds, not too heavy maybe 11's, and the wound strings are dark black coated.

Considering that Google is NOT your friend, (it took me less than two minutes flat to find'em and english is not even my mother tongue) here you go, then:

800L Black Nylon Tape Wound ? Light 12-56

HTH,

**GNAPPI** · 01-13-2013, 10:25 AM

"it took me less than two minutes flat to find'em and english is not even my mother tongue

I've found lots of black wound strings, those could be it as well as any other black strings. I'll drop into a store to see what color the ends and silk wrapping are.

**PTChristopher** · 01-13-2013, 11:42 AM

Hi Gary,

If you do not mind me mentioning:

As far as I know, there has been only one readily available maker of nylon tape-wound strings.

Is it practical to ask you to please check on the winding material?

One way to do this is to try cutting some windings off on the part of a string that is wrapped around a tuner post.

This will not harm the usable string. A simple swipe with a knife across a tiny amount of winding will tell you if it is a metal black winding (which I have never seen, but is certainly possible) or a nylon tape outside winding.

What do you think? Can you give this a try for laughs?

Chris

**GNAPPI** · 01-13-2013, 01:01 PM

"If you do not mind me mentioning:

As far as I know, there has been only one readily available maker of nylon tape-wound strings.

Is it practical to ask you to please check on the winding material?

One way to do this is to try cutting some windings off on the part of a string that is wrapped around a tuner post.

This will not harm the usable string. A simple swipe with a knife across a tiny amount of winding will tell you if it is a metal black winding (which I have never seen, but is certainly possible) or a nylon tape outside winding."

What do you think? Can you give this a try for laughs?"

Hi Chris,

I don't have thin skin and I asked for help so ANY suggestion isn't too much to broach. I have several sets of GHS infinity steel that were black stainless wound, so I had no clue as to whether or not the black coating / wrapping is unique.

I did as you asked and for sure the coating is plastic so the LaBella 800L's have to be the one I am looking to get. Thanks so much to all of you for your patience with me dragging out the details of the strings. I've never had to sleuth my way through finding unknown strings before as I've always stuck to two brands of round wounds.

**PTChristopher** · 01-13-2013, 02:01 PM

>>> h. I have several sets of GHS infinity steel that were black stainless wound, so I had no clue as to whether or not the black coating / wrapping is unique.

Ah, this was sloppiness on my part. Indeed there are many colors of rounds. I have never used or seen the GHS black colored strngs, but have seen the DR tutti-frutti variation on color.

I had no idea that GHS made a flatwound in black if this is something you have used.

Chris

**Jabberwocky** · 01-13-2013, 02:24 PM

Discussion here: black tapewound strings? .

**cosmic gumbo** · 01-13-2013, 07:22 PM

Pyramid 312 black tape wound strings with purple silk on ends of wound strings?

**PTChristopher** · 01-13-2013, 08:14 PM

Wowie? Pyramid also makes a nylon wound? Never seen or heard them.

Any idea how the gauge/tension compares to the LaBella?

Chris

**PTChristopher** · 01-13-2013, 08:32 PM

So I looked into this a little with Elderly and Juststrings.com.

The Pyramid .012 set goes to .052, while the LaBella .012 set goes to .056.

I see quite a few brands of tapewound bass strings.

Thanks for raising this subject Gary, nice to get info from the guys.

Do you have a set of calipers to find the gauge of the low E?

Chris

**teleman3726** · 01-13-2013, 08:51 PM

Deciding on what strings to use is the downside to buying a used guitar?
How is that different from buying a new guitar (presumably with strings)?
There has to be better things to do in this world.....

**PTChristopher** · 01-13-2013, 09:25 PM

Wow T3726,

Sat on a thumb tack or something?

I suppose the thread title is a little odd, but I have learned a thing or three from this thread.

Chris

**Patrick2** · 01-13-2013, 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by PTChristopher

Wow T3726,

Sat on a thumb tack or something?

I suppose the thread title is a little odd, but I have learned a thing or three from this thread.

Chris

OK . . . so, all of a sudden you're sensitive???