Tuning a bass

  • Thread starter Thread starter Michael Jones
  • Start date Start date
I wish I could find deals like that. I am hoping that my strings will last a few more months so I don't have to spend so much money on a new set.
 
Be glad you don't play upright - my strings cost $150 a set. At least they did in 1997, the last time I changed them. I wipe them down with alcohol wipes every few months, particularly before I record. That gets a lot of the dead skin cells, rosin and oils out, and makes them a little brighter.

When I got my electric bass out about ten years ago to play it, it sounded like absolute crap - I thought I'd blown a speaker or needed new tubes in the amp. When I realised I'd had the same strings on it for 20 years, I changed them, and the problem disappeared. :)
 
crazydoc said:
Be glad you don't play upright - my strings cost $150 a set. At least they did in 1997, the last time I changed them. I wipe them down with alcohol wipes every few months, particularly before I record. That gets a lot of the dead skin cells, rosin and oils out, and makes them a little brighter.

When I got my electric bass out about ten years ago to play it, it sounded like absolute crap - I thought I'd blown a speaker or needed new tubes in the amp. When I realised I'd had the same strings on it for 20 years, I changed them, and the problem disappeared. :)
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Damn! And I want an upright so bad (I even said so earlier in this thread). Good to know. Yeah, I think 20 year old strings would be long dead. The rust and dirt didn't give that away? ;)
 
I've seen some strings (I'm gonna look ignorant here) that had a rubber coating on them. They were for a standard 4 string electric. Anyone ever played on them? Is it supposed to give you a certain sound? Sorry, ignorance showing...
 
I do worry about Garry sometimes. But does the boiling thing actually work? I live with an unemployed bassist who has changed his strings in at least the two years I've been here. I borrow his basses for recording but they both end up sounding like guitars that I've octave-dropped :eek:
 
Rokket - do you mean the black nylon covered strings, as played by Sir Paul on Come Together? Kind of poor man's upright sound. They are on this page if you scroll down to RS88: http://www.rotosound.com/bass.html

I bought a set once - they're waterproof, being covered in nylon, which should stop noisedude worrying about me ;)
 
The Rotosounds look like the Labella nylon tape wounds. Black, shiny surface. Very odd appearance at first, and a slick feel. But, as G# said, they protect your bass in the tub.

Speaking of getting the upright bass sound (without, of course, actually having to acquire an upright or =gasp= having to learn to play one), I have heard that the '51 Precision reissue from Fender does a pretty good job with the nylon tape wound strings.
 
Not, you understand, that I'm merely trying to lengthen this thread...

...but it is important for everyone to know that the Labellas are .060, .070, .097 and .115, compared to the Rotosound's .065, .075, .090 (or .100) and .115 in gauge.
 
Garry Sharp said:
Rokket - do you mean the black nylon covered strings, as played by Sir Paul on Come Together? Kind of poor man's upright sound. They are on this page if you scroll down to RS88: http://www.rotosound.com/bass.html

I bought a set once - they're waterproof, being covered in nylon, which should stop noisedude worrying about me ;)
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Those are the ones I was referring to. Do you like them?
 
lpdeluxe said:
...but it is important for everyone to know that the Labellas are .060, .070, .097 and .115, compared to the Rotosound's .065, .075, .090 (or .100) and .115 in gauge.
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I think I would prefer the larger scale. I wonder what size the B string is?
 
I wonder what size the B string is?

.125. The Rotosound equivalent is .135. The Labellas are installed on an Ibanez ABG with a 32" scale, by the way, but there seems (so far) to be no problem with a "floppy" B string. Maybe I don't hit it hard enough. But I consider the changeover from the brass originals to be a great improvement.
 
lpdeluxe said:
.125. The Rotosound equivalent is .135. The Labellas are installed on an Ibanez ABG with a 32" scale, by the way, but there seems (so far) to be no problem with a "floppy" B string. Maybe I don't hit it hard enough.
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I don't have a problem with that on my ESP either, and sometimes I nail it! Get some pretty cool slaps out if it too...
 
I HATE new strings. When I do get new strings out of necessity (only happened once: the low E string broke!?!), I rub them down with vaseline to deaden them a bit and advance the aging process. It also feels good on the fingers :) . I was just speaking to another bass player last night who knew a cat who would soak them in butter before putting them on - crazy, but it just might work :D ! It's like butter baby!

Cuzme
 
No. They're horrible.

What did you not like about them, Mr #?
 
lpdeluxe said:
What did you not like about them, Mr #?
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They're dead, just no life or feel in them, and they feel kind of slimy under your fingers. They don't sound like an upright and they don't sound like a bass guitar.
 
Garry Sharp said:
They're dead, just no life or feel in them, and they feel kind of slimy under your fingers. They don't sound like an upright and they don't sound like a bass guitar.
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I saw a bass in a music store here in Japan that had them on it. The bass looked like a toy to begin with, but I guess it was a serious instrument, it retailed for almost $1000! :eek: I was just curious about it. I didn't try to play it (I'm a lefty, it wasn't), so I didn't know.
 
Rokket - you might be thinking about something else, there is a kind of bass that has like rubber bands for strings, very short scale, looks like a toy. Can't remember what it's called. Those nylon covered ones just go on a regular bass.
 
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