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Re: Anyone like bass guitars?

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2019 1:39 pm
by Single coil
We don’t, really.
Every so often (like, years apart) I’ll pull mine off and boil them for ~20 mins
Towel dry while they’re still hot
Can’t tell you why it works but they get a bit of life back after.

Re: Anyone like bass guitars?

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2019 1:40 pm
by TmcB
el byrdo wrote:I'm thinking of putting flats on my P bass. It's a jap squier with a bartolini pickup. Is this a good idea? it seems like a good idea to me since I hate changing strings and feel it would accentuate the P bass quality.
Depends on your flats.

A lot of them are higher tension that roundwounds. I think they take a bit to get used to coming from roundwounds as they are all fundamental and thud.

I would recommend Chromes as they're flats that sit somewhat between Roundwounds and flats with a fat midrange.
For big thud GHS Precisions are great, and more low tension (but $$$) you can try TI Jazz Flats.

But they'll last forever if you're after that Mo Town dead thud.

Re: Anyone like bass guitars?

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2019 1:43 pm
by TmcB
jeremyb wrote:Whats the purpose of flat wound strings? for someone who plays with a pick like me is there any reason to change?
Rounder, warmer tones. You fit better in a busy band as you're all fundamental and mids. Suits rootsy/Mo Town music really well. I happen to love the smooth feel of them too. Steve Harris is a massive fan of fresh flats on his P Bass so you know, there's that.

Pick is all about attack and bite so can work well with flats too but it's more a style thing

Re: Anyone like bass guitars?

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2019 3:27 pm
by Bg
get another bass, put flats on - best of both worlds :) Have left roundwounds on my P as thats sound I want. Flats on the Aria.

Re: Anyone like bass guitars?

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2019 5:23 pm
by TmcB
It’s different enough that a fair few bass players will buy two P basses, just to have one wear flats and the other round wounds

Re: Anyone like bass guitars?

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2019 7:22 pm
by foal30
Terexgeek wrote:
el byrdo wrote:I'm thinking of putting flats on my P bass. It's a jap squier with a bartolini pickup. Is this a good idea? it seems like a good idea to me since I hate changing strings and feel it would accentuate the P bass quality.
I didn't think bass players changed strings??? :?
2004 I put Chromes on my Precision, still going strong

When I was gigging 3-5 times a week I'd change the Roundwounds on the Jazz or Steinberger every 10-14 days

Anthony Jackson = new strings every day

Re: Anyone like bass guitars?

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2019 8:39 pm
by TmcB
foal30 wrote:
Terexgeek wrote:
el byrdo wrote:I'm thinking of putting flats on my P bass. It's a jap squier with a bartolini pickup. Is this a good idea? it seems like a good idea to me since I hate changing strings and feel it would accentuate the P bass quality.
I didn't think bass players changed strings??? :?
2004 I put Chromes on my Precision, still going strong

When I was gigging 3-5 times a week I'd change the Roundwounds on the Jazz or Steinberger every 10-14 days

Anthony Jackson = new strings every day
What do you normally put on that Boner?

I remember you playing it through the Ashdown once and it was the smoothest, sweetest deep bass tone I've heard

Re: Anyone like bass guitars?

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2019 9:12 pm
by foal30
TmcB wrote:
foal30 wrote:
Terexgeek wrote: I didn't think bass players changed strings??? :?
2004 I put Chromes on my Precision, still going strong

When I was gigging 3-5 times a week I'd change the Roundwounds on the Jazz or Steinberger every 10-14 days

Anthony Jackson = new strings every day
What do you normally put on that Boner?

I remember you playing it through the Ashdown once and it was the smoothest, sweetest deep bass tone I've heard
Chromes on the Boner
They are 10-12 years old

Passive fretless with comp or limiter is helpful
The old or original ABM Klystron Ashdown Amps are pretty good. Steve B just serviced my '98 it's solid state but mellow if that makes any sense at all.

Re: Anyone like bass guitars?

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2019 9:49 pm
by foal30
jeremyb wrote:Whats the purpose of flat wound strings? for someone who plays with a pick like me is there any reason to change?
Sting. Kaye, McCartney all used pick with flats at some or most points.

Flats provide fundamental.

They aren't for everybody nor are the best fit for every situation

Steinberger L2 - Stainless Rounds
'71 Jazz -Stainless Rounds
MTD V - Sadowsky (LaBella) flats with a Chrome 128 B
Tobias Growler - D'Addario Halfwounds
'89 Boner Jazz and '76 Precision - Old D'Addario Chromes

When I get the '71 back I may go with flats or tapes...

Re: Anyone like bass guitars?

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2019 8:25 pm
by foal30
Played the MTD V last night for only 90 mins and dammit I was sore

Good posture, correct mic placement and clean technique may seem boring or simplistic but certainly worth thorough examination.

Re: Anyone like bass guitars?

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2019 5:03 pm
by TmcB
5 strings has made life amazing.

Thinking seriously of trading my Stingray to make it a 5er.

Would keep my Jazz AVRI ‘75 though as my 4 but damn, 5 strings are actually awesome

Re: Anyone like bass guitars?

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2019 5:18 pm
by Single coil
Pretty keen to give em a go mesel eh

Re: Anyone like bass guitars?

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2019 5:42 pm
by Bg
I'm thinking p-bass derivative x 2 5 strings
One with flats and one with rounds

Seriously happy with my SX for a hand shandy, after a bit of fettling. If 5 string, perfect.

Re: Anyone like bass guitars?

Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2019 11:25 am
by foal30
Bg wrote:I'm thinking p-bass derivative x 2 5 strings
One with flats and one with rounds

Seriously happy with my SX for a hand shandy, after a bit of fettling. If 5 string, perfect.

It's not easy to find a P style V

Fender made a run maybe 7-10 years back
Mike Lull does one
The East Asian MTD line has one

Re: Anyone like bass guitars?

Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2019 11:26 am
by foal30
Picked up my '71 Jazz this morning from repair shop, fucking smooth as despite my lifelong issues with the bridge pick up

Thanks to Steve Barlett for doing the work
Photos tomorrow if the kids are home