Fender strings

1967

1967

Documented for 1967 is Pete’s use of Fender strings. In 1967 and 1968 on Fender Stratocasters, he likely used Fender pure nickel wrap #1500 Spanish Guitar [Smooth Round Wound]. These sets were standard issue on new Fender guitars 1966–1969.

Pete likely substituted the .016 (plain) for the set’s .026 (wound) for the G string, as was a common for British guitarists in the early to mid ’60s, a practice Pete would continue into the ’70s with his Gibson guitars.


All quotes and references are copyright their original owners and are included for reference only.

From Guitar Player, October 1967

Excerpts from an interview with John Entwistle and Pete Townshend conducted June 18, 1967, in San Francisco, just prior to the Who’s appearance at the Monterey Pop Festival.

GP: Picks and strings?

Entwhistle: We both use Herco heavy-gauge nylon picks. And I use Roto-Sound heavy-gauge wirewound strings; they’re only available in England.

Townsend: I use regular Fender Strings.

Ca. 1969, in the studio with Fender Electric XII.

Ca. 1969, in the studio with Fender Electric XII.

It is also possible that, for the recording of Tommy, when using the Fender Electric XII 12-string guitar (as heard on Sparks, Underture, etc.), that he used Fender’s electric 12-string nickel-wound set: #1450 12-String Guitar:


Resources

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