daflewis Posted February 26, 2013 Author Share Posted February 26, 2013 Hi Phil, Will do! and about time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bassman Posted March 15, 2013 Share Posted March 15, 2013 [font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]I’ve been itching to try these new braided strings ever since Daf mentioned Innovation were working on a new formula. Hugh kindly sent them to me 2 or 3 weeks ago and I feel I’ve had them long enough so they’re ready to go to the next tester.[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]First I tried the G string on a Yamaha SLB100. Didn’t like it, rather dull like I remember Honeys sounding on this instrument so I didn’t bother fitting the other 3.[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]Next up was my big old French bass which is strung with Evah Pirazzi (108cm)[/size][/size][/font][font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]The trial G sounded promising so rather than change the whole set I fitted the trial E string, with which there was a problem at the tailpiece end where the brass anchor is loose in the loop, and the string pulled away when I tensioned it. I noticed that the other 3 strings seem to be glued to the anchor. I didn’t want to use superglue in case it melted the braiding so I was extra careful as I re-tensioned the string keeping an eye on the tailpiece. As I tuned it up I immediately noticed an increase in volume and tone but the string rattled loudly against the fingerboard. I tried them over a few days and apart from the rattle, which would have to be sorted, I think they’ll be the perfect set for this bass. They sounded good pizz & with a bow.[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]Over the next few days I experimented with the trial strings on both my Eminence and Yamaha SLB200. Both basses are fitted with Full Circle’s and the test amp was Acoustic Image Ten 2 combo and normally strung with Kolstein Heritage.[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]For pizz the trial strings worked better on the Eminence but on the SLB200 the bowed sound was incredible! As I don’t bow the SLB200 I’ll stick with the Kolsteins on that.[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]After a last session on the Eminence I prefer the Kolsteins, but the Innovation would be a great second choice.[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]So to sum up[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]Nice smooth quality feel to the windings[/size][/size][/font][font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]Silks are impressive, looks like they’ll outlast Spiros & Kolsteins etc[/size][/size][/font][font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]I don’t like the brass anchor, it didn’t sit well on any of the basses, but I suppose a washer might get around this problem.[/size][/size][/font][font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]Tension is higher than the Kolsteins, similar to Evah, that’s all I had to compare with.[/size][/size][/font][font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]They are quick to tune to pitch, unlike the Kolstein which seem to go on stretching for ages. This would make them ideal for touring bassists with removable neck basses such as the Eminence, BSX or Kolstein.[/size][/size][/font][font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]I will certainly consider a couple of sets for my acoustic basses when they become available but I’ll stick with the Kolsteins for the EUB’s[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]Many thanks Daf & co[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]p.s.[/size][/size][/font][font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]who's next?[/size][/size][/font] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philparker Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Great review, Mr Bassman, especially as I'm considering a BSX (or SLB 200) in the summer (for convenience when gigging and travelling) - although I will be trialling them much later on it is nice to have the opinions of others as benchmarks to compare! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbassist Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Great review Keith! Cheers Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarah thomas Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 [font=Helvetica][size=3][size=4]p.s.[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=3][size=4]who's next?[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=3][size=4]Gareth Hughes.[/size][/size][/font] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 My hand is up to volunteer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daflewis Posted March 19, 2013 Author Share Posted March 19, 2013 (edited) Hi All, Back from hols now - thanks for keeping things on course... Thanks Keith - much appreciated - they haven't had any testing on EUBs so it's good to get your feedback. I might have a few more questions for you when i get my head together if that's ok... As for the problem with the brass bar - yes, it's something we've discussed - i was never a fan anyway as they can pop out of the tailpiece, but the real problem is that the new core is much softer and more pliable, so the bar is more liable to drop out - as you found! Owen - done! Cheers, Daf Edited March 19, 2013 by daflewis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daflewis Posted March 20, 2013 Author Share Posted March 20, 2013 And BassInMyFace is inboard too. It's getting a bit long, so I'll try and get another set sorted ASAP to help things along. Cheers, Daf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daflewis Posted April 18, 2013 Author Share Posted April 18, 2013 How are we getting on chaps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 I was vaguely wondering how this was going, partly cos I WANT SOME! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daflewis Posted April 18, 2013 Author Share Posted April 18, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Hughes Posted May 4, 2013 Share Posted May 4, 2013 OK folks - I'm ready to take these off and send them so who is next? I think I screwed the order up on the first page, so is it p_w_m or someone else? Review to follow!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daflewis Posted May 4, 2013 Author Share Posted May 4, 2013 Hi Gareth, Yeh, p_w_m next! Thanks mate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Hughes Posted June 8, 2013 Share Posted June 8, 2013 Folks - here's my delayed review on these great strings. In general - it's both thumbs up and thumbs down, but not for negative reasons in that what I found negative in one setting was a positive in another. I love me a good 'mwah' to a note which, on my bass, they didn't provide which left me wanting for more on a recording session and a gig with two different singer/songwriters. BUT where that lack of 'mwah' was a bonus was on several orchestral rehearsals and gigs where I found the strings had an amazing solid foundation to each note that was lacking in my previous strings, Velvet Blues. The notes were immediate and full, right through the registers - well up to the second C on the G string, after that I daren't show myself up in public. When I first put the strings on I was totally in love with them. I was doing 'The Sound Of Music', 'West Side Story', and a community orchestra gig within a few weeks of each other and I loved how responsive my bass was - also seemed about 20% louder than before, possibly down to the Innovations being a higher tension than the Velvets. In these scenarios the strings totally excelled anything I had tried previously on the bass (Kolstein Heritage, D'Addario Hybrids and the Velvet's). So for these gigs, battling against a small orchestra and a percussion heavy pit band, the Innovation's had an authority to them that allowed me to be heard clearly and effortlessly. So to sum it up - If I had two basses I'd definitely have a set of these on and make it my arco bass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daflewis Posted June 8, 2013 Author Share Posted June 8, 2013 Thanks for that Gareth, Yeh, as far as pizz goes these definitely weren't designed to be steel cored growlers - I wanted to maintain the idea of a gut sounding string, (but with a bit more brightness and life than the "old" braids), so they have that smack at the front end but do then die off quicker than perhaps a steel core would. Arco wise, I wanted them to be more easily bowable, and they do take a slow and/or light bow really well, and will play right down on to the bridge without breaking up, so they are proving to be very popular in the classical world, especially among those who like to use a powder rosin. Thanks for the review - much appreciated! Cheers, Daf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iiipopes Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 It sounds like they are going to be a great hybrid set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny dissident Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Could you but my name down to try these please, I appreciate that there may be some wait. Johnny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daflewis Posted June 29, 2013 Author Share Posted June 29, 2013 Hi Johnny, Done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iiipopes Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 When Johnny is done, may I have a go? I'd be prepared to pay postage both ways across the pond and back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daflewis Posted September 9, 2013 Author Share Posted September 9, 2013 Hi Scott, Sorry I'm so late back!! Been a crazy few weeks! But I'm hoping to get a set to you to pass round over the pond soon anyway! Cheers, Daf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLoydElgar Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 I'd like to sign up! Great to try before I buy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daflewis Posted September 20, 2013 Author Share Posted September 20, 2013 Certainly... And hopefully they actually will be available to buy in the not too distant future! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLoydElgar Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Awesome, I'm hearing some great stuff about the the 140B's definitely would like to get these new prototypes and possibly try the 140b's on my bass. Cheers Daf! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daflewis Posted September 30, 2013 Author Share Posted September 30, 2013 Hi Floyd, Sorry i didn't get back to you earlier on this, i've been away for the last week... The 140Bs are not actually in the trial, mainly because they aren't particularly popular and the prototypes MAY replace them rather than running along side.... That said, if there's enough interest, I'm sure i could sort out a test set... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLoydElgar Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 (edited) no problem Daf, Well i could start a thread for trials with the 140B's = ) Can't wait to try these bad boys! Edited September 30, 2013 by FLoydElgar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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