Sold Vintage NOS Maxima flatwound bass strings

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mellowgerman

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As some of you may know, I'm a huge fan of these strings on my Starfires. I was lucky enough to find a source last year. From what I gather, these must have come from a luthier or builder in CA, who had them left over after closing up shop. Once I spotted them, I realized a lot of parallels with Jack Casady's preferred strings for his Starfire. I did some extra digging and more and more they seemed to be a match. After buying and trying one set, I quickly fell in love and wanted to make sure I would never run out, since... for all I know, this could be the last existing stock-pile of them. Long story short, I was able to pretty much buy out the remaining sets this seller had. At first I figured I would hog them all for some years to see how many sets I go through and for fear that someday I would be down to my last set. That said, I've acquired an Alembic bass, which I've found I prefer to use with bright Ernie Ball Cobalt flats. Considering that this Alembic is the first bass I've come across that will likely steal quite a bit of play-time from the Starfires, I probably won't end up needing ALL of these Maxima sets. I don't mind hanging on to them and do plan to keep most of them indefinitely, but have decided to offer up a few here. For starters, I'll put 5 sets on the block and see if anyone is interested. Two of five sets gone so far.

As mentioned above, these appear to be the same German-manufactured strings that Framus put their logo on in the 60s and that Jack Casady has said were his favorites for his Starfires back then. Apparently he's got a stash that was with Rick Turner (if I recall correctly). They came up in interviews/discussion when his original modified Starfire was returned to him some years back. Also, Paul McCartney reportedly chose these as his go-to set for his Rickenbacker during the Sgt. Pepper era.

What makes these strings unique is that they have a thin, bell metal core, as well as flat nickel outer winding. I believe all flatwounds currently available on the market are stainless steel -- with the exception of Rotosound's Monel flatwounds, which are also completely different from these Maximas, both in feel and tone. The Maximas are relatively light in tension (not quite as much as Thomastiks, but lighter tension than most). They are floppy/supple out of the package and have a really soft feel to the touch when strung up. The E string is thumpy, punchy, and fat sounding. The A, D, and G also have a really great round bodied tone, but a nice vocal quality to the mids, and nice sustain. Overall, the experience is hard to explain and no other set I've come across really feels or sounds like them.

Here's a clip with my modified 1970 Starfire, strung with Maximas:



I'm asking $50 shipped CONUS. Just to reiterate, they are NOS and unused, but came in bulk packs, so they don't have any kind of branded packaging. I will happily donate $5 to the forum, per set sold.
I'm also open to trade or partial trade offers. Feel free to throw any offers my way, but just off the top of my head, I might be interested in things like other flatwound or tapewound sets (any scale considered, as I'm still experimenting with the Alembic and my fretless P-bass), maybe even gauge 10 or 11 Thomastik-Infeld guitar flats for my Rickenbacker, perhaps a nice wide leather strap... who knows, sock it to me!
 
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mellowgerman

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Are these the brand that for guitars used to have black wound strings and gold coloured plain strings?
I'm really not sure. From what I've heard there seems to be some connection between Maxima and the recently revived, German Optima brand, which I think used to offer black tapewounds and actual gold-plated roundwound bass strings. Don't know anything about their guitar string offerings though unfortunately
 

lungimsam

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Trade for 109 or 110 deep talkin set labellas long scale? New in package.
 

lungimsam

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Gots.
I messaged you
 

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Mungi

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I’d gladly take one set if you are willing to ship to Sweden.
 

mellowgerman

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I’d gladly take one set if you are willing to ship to Sweden.

Not fundamentally opposed, just worried about the cost, especially when packing them properly to stand up to the abuse of the long journey. Maybe 5 years ago, I scoped out shipping cost for a vinyl record I'd been looking for for years and it was more than the actual cost of the record! Also the last item I sent to Europe (some rare/vintage Kay guitar tuners) disappeared without a trace in transit, so I can't help but have some reservations. Happy to discuss options though via direct message if you like!
 
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Hi,
I'm interested in a set! Do you know the gauges of the strings?
 

lungimsam

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They fit the Starfire bass. I had some once.
 

mellowgerman

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Seen here on my 1970 Starfire:

IMG_20230902_102701552~2.jpg



There is some minor variation from set to set but here are approximate lengths from ball end to taper:

E - ~35 1/4
A - ~36 3/8
D - ~36 1/8
G - ~35 1/8
 

mellowgerman

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Alrighty, friends! I think I've parted with about as many sets as I'm comfortable with. Each one also sent $5 to the forum.
If anybody in the future really really really wants a set, feel free to direct message me here and we can discuss, depending on where my stock count is. Thanks!
 
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