stingrayPete1977 Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 Jake Newman has played my bass so should be able to help here but I am throwing it wide open and have some detective work at the same time for you experts, he said it was firmer than his Ooo Err, I think I have Spirocore mediums on both my Stagg and my Gedo basses red silks at the tail and purple at the tuners? Modified Stagg to take standard 3/4 strings... [URL=http://s997.photobucket.com/user/stingraypete/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-06/20140628_103410_zpss75naltz.jpg.html][IMG]http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/stingraypete/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-06/20140628_103410_zpss75naltz.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Gedo 3/4 fitted with Spiros by them with my other upgrades when the bass was built.... [URL=http://s997.photobucket.com/user/stingraypete/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-06/20140628_103507_zpsdxymp2sl.jpg.html][IMG]http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/stingraypete/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-06/20140628_103507_zpsdxymp2sl.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s997.photobucket.com/user/stingraypete/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-06/20140628_103515_zps7c4e184s.jpg.html][IMG]http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/stingraypete/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-06/20140628_103515_zps7c4e184s.jpg[/IMG][/URL] I wanted to check and found this packet, I dont know where it came from but the strings inside are I think the standard Stagg ones? The package says light? [URL=http://s997.photobucket.com/user/stingraypete/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-06/20140628_103540_zpsknhcngdp.jpg.html][IMG]http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/stingraypete/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-06/20140628_103540_zpsknhcngdp.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Although I have found this empty one, I presume from either my Stagg set or the Gedo as they sent me the packaging with the bass? [URL=http://s997.photobucket.com/user/stingraypete/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-06/20140628_103531_zpsel92q2et.jpg.html][IMG]http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/stingraypete/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-06/20140628_103531_zpsel92q2et.jpg[/IMG][/URL] OK now the tension thing, the Stagg plays really well and very light without any clatter etc obviously helped by the fact you can plug it in and turn it up as loud as you like! The Gedo plays well enough with no nasty rattles or anything but the string tension feels much firmer and the action seems higher even though its only about 10mm off the edge of the board on the E string, should I lower the adjustable bridge a little and see how that is (took me ages to get it all to settle where it is now!) or do you think I would be better with a lighter string maybe a Spiro weich rather than the Mittels if thats what I have (fairly sure they are?) I am coming to the october bass day so you can all have a feel then I hopefully I can try everyone elses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted June 28, 2014 Author Share Posted June 28, 2014 BTW that bridge is bang on central to the board and centred to the F notches, it is just the photo I promise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jecklin Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 (edited) Hi Pete, I suspect the strings on your basses are already the spirocore lights. The spirocore mittels I always bought were red at both ends. Last set I bought was 6 years ago mind so they may have changed since?? I know some folk play with action a fair but lower than 10mm in the E. You could try lowering it a little. Between 10-12 is where I kept mine, but I was involved in entirely acoustic music so there was no amplifier to help. Thomas Edited June 28, 2014 by Jecklin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 Purple at the top end is definitely Spirocore Weich/Light, as the Mittel/Mediums are red at both ends. They come in both 3/4 and 4/4 which will have slightly different tensions on the same bass. Also, what's the fingerboard scoop like on the Gedo? A fingerboard with a lot of relief can make things feel stiffer for a given string height measured at the board end, as can a high nut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted June 28, 2014 Author Share Posted June 28, 2014 Thanks guys looks like I have weichs then already so that option is out (I can probably find the Gedo invoice in my emails somewhere to see what I asked for), I dont know anything about fingerboard scoops, where am I looking? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1403963329' post='2488124'] Thanks guys looks like I have weichs then already so that option is out (I can probably find the Gedo invoice in my emails somewhere to see what I asked for), I dont know anything about fingerboard scoops, where am I looking? Thanks [/quote] It's much like adjusting the relief on a bass guitar neck, except that the scoop is carved into the fingerboard rather than set with a truss rod. If you hold a long straight edge along the fingerboard (or use the string), you'll see that the fingerboard is slightly concave along its length. The depth and shape of this curve make a big difference to how the bass feels to play. If it was way out, I'm sure Jake would have pointed it out when he played it, but there is some variation in setup for different styles etc and this might account for some of the difference in feel between the two basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbie Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 As beer of the bass pointed out already, check also the height at nut, which makes a huge difference to how your fingers perceive the ease of playing. My advice is not to lower the action at bridge too much as otherwise you will have a wimpy acoustic sound and too much unwanted string clatter on pizzicato, plus a total inability to play slap if you ever felt the need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted June 28, 2014 Author Share Posted June 28, 2014 I see what you are saying I will put a straight edge up it and see, I am sure the setup could be improved upon maybe with a slight reduction at the nut height, Tim Tofts are up the road so I might wait and see what other basses at the bash are like then take it it for a full setup hopefully retaining my existing bridge and Spiros to keep the cost down, Thanks guys thats a big help as I never really thought about the releif in the neck before Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted June 28, 2014 Author Share Posted June 28, 2014 Just had a look and if I hold the string down at the first stop and the end of the board there is just a couple of mm that is concaved, holding at the first stop and inline with the heel leaves just enough to be able to click the string back to the neck similar to an electric bass when holding 1st and 13th fret say, looks like about as little as you would want to my untrained eye? It sounded great when Jake played it both Pizz and arco, but it would wouldnt it? Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted June 28, 2014 Author Share Posted June 28, 2014 I forgot to mention my left wrist is quite mashed up and I have lost some strength so that wont help either, me and Jake have been through it at length and he is happy that with the correct technique it should be OK for me to play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maude Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 Obviously I can't see yours Pete but I had to take the nut down a bit on my Gedo. It was quite high when it arrived, it was noticeably easier to finger the first couple of stops once done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted June 28, 2014 Author Share Posted June 28, 2014 Im thinking that might help, I think I have already took a bit out ages ago but I wanted to leave enough nut for someone with the right tools and skills to do it properly! It's not massive high though. Did you go for the same gedo as me Maude, half carved? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oggiesnr Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 Pete, where are you based? Round here I'd take it to Peter Hall in Beverley and talk to him about what you want. He's a great bloke and does great work and won't b********t you either about what he can do or imposing his ideas on you. steve PS How is the wrist? I'm still struggling with mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted June 28, 2014 Author Share Posted June 28, 2014 Hi mate, wrist is not great I wont lie, sorry yours is too Im based near Stafford and Tim Tofts are just up the road in Stone who have a good reputation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakenewmanbass Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 (edited) Glad you're getting some good advice here Pete, these guys know more about the mechanics of set up than I do. I was meant to be up this week but life has taken a turn to the insanely hectic with some last minute rehearsals and album sessions coming in on top of an already busy week. I'm trying to be up there in the next fortnight to see my mates in Stone so will message as soon as I can schedule that in. I've got some new nuggets for ease of use of left hand! Edited June 29, 2014 by jakenewmanbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted June 29, 2014 Author Share Posted June 29, 2014 Excellent let me know and I will do my best to arrange anything I can to suit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maude Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1403989287' post='2488393'] Im thinking that might help, I think I have already took a bit out ages ago but I wanted to leave enough nut for someone with the right tools and skills to do it properly! It's not massive high though. Did you go for the same gedo as me Maude, half carved? [/quote] Yes, the same half carved with adjustable bridge, only I had Innovation Rockabilly strings, lovely bass but I do have a concern about the soundpost pushing quite a lump out the back, but that's for another thread . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 Previous posters identified your strings for you, but they will of course feel different depending on the bass, especially by scale length. Don't adjust the nut or bridge. I have a bass from Gedo and they have luthiers who make sure their basses are well set up when they ship. That's why people recommend Gedo. For the record Gear4Music are about a mile from my house, and I bought my bass from Gedo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted June 30, 2014 Author Share Posted June 30, 2014 I think they are the better of the budget stuff (crazy aint it £1000 for a budget bass lol) sound post pushing out the back does not sound good though?! I have got the setup the best I feel I can without taking the nut and bridge feet etc beyond the point a pro could shape whats left so I will get a pro job soon, to be fair to gedo they can only do a general setup, they dont know what style of music a player will be using it for or their personal preference, amplified or arco acoustic only etc. I cant fault it as such, no rattles or funny shaped finger board etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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