Correct Strings Yet Again (re flatwounds this time)

[abstamaria]

That is really very interesting. It seems then that tapewounds (or flatwounds) were "standard" in the U.S. up to the early 1960s, as roundwounds weren't generally available there. That is probably why the '62 re-issue Jazzmaster and the spare set of strings that come with it are flatwounds (but then one would expect the jazz-oriented Jazzmaster to come with flatwounds). The reverse ssems true in the U.K., based on this thread.

Therefore, one should play early Shadows pieces on a Stratocaster with thick round-wounds, and early Ventures on a Jazzmaster with thick flatwounds.

As an aside, my first electric guitar was a locally-made one; it was red with white piping on the edges, a Stratocaster-shaped body. and a Gibson-style headstock! I so envied my wealthy friends who had that "Fender" decal on their guitar headstocks. That was the holy graile for me. I didn't get my first Fender until a Japanese friend gave me a new one (the aforementioned Jazzmaster) in the late 1990s. Hofner was also quite popular here, especially the "semi-hollow" model with the raised pickguard.

[John Haldane]

I remember asking at my local music shop some while ago regarding tapewound strings, they looked at me as if I was from a different planet.
John H