TRBboy

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1376836216' post='2179707'] I was going to say that IME Elites were fairly average but then it occurred to me that a lot of pickiness in selecting strings has been to do with the fact that as a 5-string player getting a low B that works well with my rather aggressive playing style has been the over-riding factor in my evaluation of strings. Once you take that out of the equation, I'd be quite happy with the above-mention Elites. In fact I'm also of the opinion that if you play a 34" scale 4-string bass with standard gauges (40/45 to 95/105) you can't go far wrong with Rotosounds bought new (not ones that have been sat in the shop for months). [/quote] Ah, that's quite interesting. Fwiw, I play 34" 5ers, I like .040"-.125" gauge or thereabouts. I guess I play fairly lightly, even when using a pick although I do like to dig in a bit sometimes. Edit: I don't really sweat at all!

Just looking at La Bellas, the spiel sounds like they'd be right up my street; flexible but deep tone for a stainless string, and the varies look good too. I may have to dig deep.... Can you get string GAS?!

[quote name='Minty' timestamp='1376827955' post='2179533'] DR Hi-Beams are nice! [/quote] Very intrigued by DRs, how well do they last?

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1376828045' post='2179536'] Although a long-term Rotosound Steels use (but having migrated to their Nickels) D`addario Steels have a nice sound to them, much fuller in the mid-range I found. [/quote] Yeah I kind of found the same, they're a bit more focused and have a bit more punch and definition.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1376827235' post='2179511'] La Bella Stainless Steels. [/quote] Worth it for the money then? Do they last well?

Alright, I know it's a highly subjective thing, but I was just interested to know what type of ss roundwound strings are best in your opinion (considering tone, longevity and vfm)? I've mainly been using either Rotos or D'addario Prosteels for the last few years, and they're kind of fine, but I'm just curious about other brands, especially some of the more "premium" ones. I haven't got the money to try them all out for comparison's sake! Hence why I'm asking for your opinions. Thanks.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1376601022' post='2176812'] If you like the nickel , but find the tension too high on the XL 's , have you thought about trying a set of DR Sunbeams ? They are a fantastic-sounding nickel string with a very low- tension feel compared to your D'Addarios and they stay sounding good longer than any other string I have ever used . Even after they die off a bit they still sound good , and they don't go properly dead for absolutely ages . Well worth trying , despite the high price compared to most other strings . [/quote] I think I've come to the conclusion that overall, I prefer the sound of stainless steel. I have found that Rotos are a bit fuller sounding than the D'addario Prosteels, but I like them both. Just how good are DR's? People always rave about them but the price puts me off (tight arse). I'd quite like to try some, but do they actually sound REALLY good and last a long time?

Well, gigged them the last two nights. There's pros and cons to them for me, but mostly the cons outweigh the pros. Should have stuck to what I know! As a result, I'm selling the unused set if anyone's interested: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/214848-fs-daddario-xl-nickel-5-string-set-exl-170-5-040-130/

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' timestamp='1376641285' post='2177117'] If I were in need of a P-style bass, this would have to be on the "to try" list. Do they do a five, though? Seems likely (without looking) [/quote] I would be keen to get my hands on a 5 string Electra too, but I asked one of my contacts at Sandberg about it last week and he said there are no plans to make any at the moment.

Well, I played it at band practice last night, and now I'm not so sure..... definitely sounds different, more full and rounded, and the D and G strings come through much better. I think I prefer the tightness and definition of the stainless strings though. The biggest issue is adjusting to the increased tension, I really don't know if I can cope with it. I'll gig them tomorrow and Saturday and see how I get on, maybe I'll get used to it. What a tit, I bought two packets as well! Anyone want a new pack of D'addario XL nickel wound .045"-.130"?

Genuinely surprised how much of a difference! I've used stainless roundwounds exclusively for the last few years, and got progressively lighter with the gauge (ending up on super light 40-125 D'addario Prosteels). I was feeling though that the D & G strings were a little "thin" sounding recently though, so when I wanted some new strings this week I decided to go back up a gauge to regular light 45-130, and go for nickels. WOW! My bass sounds completely different! I knew there would be a difference obviously, but I underestimated how much! Sounds much deeper and more toneful, and I have to set the eq on my bass completely differently. Obviously they're not quite as snappy and the lows aren't quite as tight, but sounds great. Remains to be seen how long they'll last, I normally get a good 4-5 months out of a stainless set. I'm looking forward to giving them a good try out tonight at band practice. That is all.

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1376420817' post='2173780'] XL T shirt? Do they have other sizes too? [/quote] I think the t-shirts are all large.

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1376420745' post='2173778'] Are the strings heavily discounted because of all the free advertising they're getting through the tee shirts? [/quote] Don't think so, the prices are the same as usual I think. They're such a good company imho, always very helpful and quick delivery.

[quote name='voxpop' timestamp='1376420586' post='2173774'] Just received two balanced tension XL Sets which are not on offer with the free T Shirt. [/quote] Yeah it's only for the actual pre-packaged twin sets, which are only available in the most common nickel xl sizes.

Don't know whether anyone else is doing this offer or not, but order any twin pack of D'addario nickel XLs from Stringbusters at the moment, and you'll receive a D'addario XL t-shirt too. I always buy from them anyway because of great price and superb service, but I was extra pleased to receive my strings this morning, because I hadn't even seen this offer so the t-shirt was completely unexpected! Whilst stocks last I believe. Btw, I'm in no way affiliated to Stringbusters!

[quote name='Dandelion' timestamp='1375878324' post='2166789'] [url="http://www.sandberg-guitars.com/"]http://www.sandberg-guitars.com/[/url] Click on the configurator for a modicum of fun.. [/quote] Is that my old bass in your sig?! Did you buy it from Primebass? I loved that bass, it was my first Sandberg and changed everything for me. I currently have bad GAS for a fiver exactly the same......

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1375134669' post='2157218'] I would say not. On the 2-pickup models, the bridge pickup is closer in to the bridge, and the neck pickup is further towards the neck, though not quite as far as a P-bass pickup; but if you engage both pickups, you get phase cancellation between some of the frequencies, plus each pickup 'loads' the other, so the sound is very different from one HB in the 'MM' position - though not exactly 'hollow' like a Jazz, these are monstrous pickups! Having said that, the bridge pickup on the L2000 etc still sounds quite fat on its own, but not as fat (phat?) as on the L1505. I used to own a Tribute L2000 (now belongs to dr_skitz of this forum) so I am accustomed to its workings, and the USA model that I tried in the shop (as pictured above) was not far different to that in the available sounds. [/quote] Ah I see, that's kind of what I guessed. I've got two sandberg basic ken taylor 5s at the moment, and I do love 'em, but I've been gassing for a single 'bucker version again recently just to scratch that itch! Maybe I'll be selling one then..... Thanks for the info, and apologies for 'jacking your thread!

Kind of irrelevant now, but in the op I was meaning just get polish, not stoning/dressing/crowning, etc. I did also mean for a quality job, regardless of price. As an aside, when I used to do setups for people, I would always ask the customer what they didn't like about the current setup, and how they wanted the end result to be. If you don't know what you're trying to achieve, how do you know what you're supposed to be doing, right?! I would also say when they came to collect it that if they weren't happy with the results or wanted it tweaking a bit, to let me know and I'd sort it out for them.

Looking at your picture in post 4, this is something I've been pondering over recently....... With basses such as these, could you dial in the same (or near enough) sound with the twin pickup one if you got the pickup balance just right, or will it never sound the same as the single pickup version? I guess you'd have to a/b both to know for sure.......

If you search YouTube, I believe Ed Friedland did a review a couple of years ago and spoke very highly of it. Certainly a very interesting concept! I just can't imagine it feeling right, but I'd love a go on one. I think mark's got one on at bass direct the moment.

Very nice! I haven't seen one of those before. Gives me gas for a single humbucker bass again! Hope you enjoy it.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1374791008' post='2153416'] Learn to do it yourself - apart from needing work on the frets it's not hard. [/quote] Oh I always do it myself, it was kind of a hypothetical question following a conversation I had earlier. I've been setting up and repairing guitars since I was about 16 (15 years ago), and I used to do it for customers in the music shops I worked in.

Interesting.... So a setup as above for about £25-£30 would be quite cheap then!

Hey fellas, i knowa lot of us do it ourselves but just interested to know how much people pay for a pro setup? Suppose it includes a restring (without the cost of the strings), fret polish, fretboard oil, truss rod adjustment, action adjustment, intonation adjustment, etc. So what's the going rate? Cheers.