paul, the

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='6038' date='May 24 2007, 09:06 PM']Half rounds start off as oversized round wounds. They are then squashed (rotosound) or ground (everyone else) to take the round tops off to make them feel like flats but sound like rounds. At least thats the theory, some achieve it better than others. I use Status half rounds myself on all my basses to keep a consistent fell but others do it with different strings on all their basses. The journey to string nirvana is a long and expensive one, what one person loves another will hate so its impossible to tell you what strings to buy. But if you are gonna be slapping flats dont really do it.[/quote] Really? I thought it would be the other way around as I prefer the sound of flats but like the feel of rounds. Couldn't you just turn the string around? I think I'm going to feel really embarrassed very soon as I don't understand. paul.

[quote name='lowhand_mike' post='5855' date='May 24 2007, 04:23 PM']and seeing as you havent changed them in a long while you may want to go for a set that lasts longer,like some of the DR's or the Elixirs. the Elixirs are coated roundwound strings (see above explanation) but unlike other coated strings they are coated once the string has been wound (the round string wire is wrapped around the central string core) so the coating lasts longer and you get a brighter sound than some other coated strings. i've had mine on for 9 months now and they still sound good. Though there is a drawback with the longer lasting strings is that they cost more, DR's are around £40 a set and i think the Elixirs are about £30-£35 a set. so it also depends on how much you want to pay in one shot, cheaper strings will be cheeper in the long run but as you have to replace (or not ) them quicker they can cost more in the long run. unfortunately you can't tell what they are gonna sound like until you try them ( many years ago i spent alot of money buying blind until i found something i liked) oh and i play in a rock/blues type cover band and the elixirs sit in nicely. this site is a good place to start on the different brands [url="http://www.stringbusters.com/"]http://www.stringbusters.com/[/url][/quote] I paid £15 for my DR Nickel Plated Lo-Riders - but I'm not overly impressed. I think I'm a flats man. --- If you have a music store near you, a vintage one would be best - try out the basses and have a look at how they are strung. Listen to the differences between strings and how differently they feel under the fingertip. paul.

[quote name='BeLow' post='1196' date='May 18 2007, 09:21 AM']Well I don't really do pictures of me but - this is a bit of my world in pics Relaxing in Plymouth Sound [/quote] That's all I ask for in life.

[quote name='subaudio' post='5801' date='May 24 2007, 03:01 PM']Would that be the real book?[/quote] Oh! Could be No it wasn't, it wasn't in the real books 'distinct' style. I have the real books on my old PC, if I can get it working I'll check again. paul.

I forgot to add, I have this on order: [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Funkmasters-Rhythm-Sections-1960-73-Guitar/dp/1576234436/ref=sr_1_6/202-9301154-2827032?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180014861&sr=8-6"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Funkmasters-Rhythm...4861&sr=8-6[/url] I expect it to be another Allan Slutsky masterpiece. I'll let you know when it comes.

[quote name='Bidd' post='5614' date='May 24 2007, 11:13 AM']EDIT - Sorry I think i put this in wrong section of forum I'm on the verge of joining a band in Uni, that play Blues and Funk - Hendrix, BB King, Howlin Wolf etc, and I've realised that I have yet to change the strings on my bass even though I've had it for 18 months and have been playing with stock strings since. Basically, I've been playing a lot for the past 18 months but in bedroom, and a few half arsed jams so I've never really cared about the tone of my guitar, but I think its time to buy some decent strings. I simply do not really understand a lot of the technical side of the bass guitar, I basically read tabs and play. so I need advice badly cos I know fook all. What strings would you more experienced lot recommend? I play a basic Washburn T14 so its hardly packs a nice tone, but because I plan to play slap and 12 bar blues type stuff, I want to treat myself to some new strings that may improve the sound. You have to forgive my stupidity as words like Roundwood or flatwood, or 105 super slinky gauge blah blah have literally zero meaning to me as I havent experimented with other basses, so please treat me like an idiot[/quote] I really don't know very much about strings as after buying expensive instruments I don't really like to pay for extra and I don't know a thing about the science behind them. But I'll try to help but Burpster covered adequately. To put it simply gauge refers to the thickness of the string - the higher the number 'gauge', the thicker the string is. 45-105 refers to the high G string having a gauge of 45 and the low bottom E string having 105 with the D and A strings in between. Heavier strings (higher gauge number) like the LaBella strings I recently sold with a bass: These are 52-110 (there are heavier). Heavier strings are generally perceived as being more 'powerful' due to the size an weight and the increased attack required to pluck them (which can make them difficult playability wise). Heavier gauge strings can also mess with intonation (bass goes out of tune the further up the neck you go). Although in a tradish blues band, this may not be an issue. In a blues band, heavier strings are sometimes expected. The strings pictured above are also flatwounds, which can also be expected in a blues band. The stock strings on your bass are probably medium gauge roundwounds. Roundwound are bumpy to touch (run your finger along a string), usually flexible (easily lifted and bent) and produce a 'zingy' sound which will deaden in time. Whereas flatwounds are smooth to touch with a large surface area (can be painful after a while), often aren't flexible and (should) produce a softer, warmer, (traditionally) bassier/upright sound. If you want to play slap bass, you would probably need roundwounds. But if you want to do Howlin' Wolf covers, you'll probably need flats. So you could either put up with rounds on everything or ask to stick to fingerstyle funk (the funkiest funk around). There are other kinds of strings which I do not know enough about: Nylon tape wound (black nylon covered), half-rounds (how the f' do they make those?) and many more I'm sure. --- [b]I think this thread should be pinned as a string thread somewhere. I for one would like to learn a lot more about different brands/types of strings.[/b] --- [quote name='The Burpster' post='5740' date='May 24 2007, 01:47 PM']Flatwounds sound warmer (some say dull) but IMO more applicable for blues & r'n'b (Herbie Flowers) which is what I play. Flatties buzz less and are easier on the fingers IMHO- But I re itterate may sound too dull for for your choice.[/quote] I played Herbie's Jazz last year, it had nylon strings on it. Did he use flats in the past? (did they have nylon strings in the past?) --- Have you seen this book on Ebay? It might be useful to you: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/learn-blues-bass-with-cd_W0QQitemZ320116111222QQihZ011QQcategoryZ31211QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/learn-blues-bass-wit...1QQcmdZViewItem[/url] paul.

Is this your 'bathroom' Mike?

[quote name='MB1' post='5716' date='May 24 2007, 01:29 PM']MB1. its never a good idea to just stop taking your medication without first consulting a doctor![/quote] Taking medication before consulting my Doctor was the mistake.

And that costs a £2 train ride. I think I'll just wait until a nice URB comes up on Ebay and then I'll scrap the rest and join a commune in Scotland.

I don't have a Sound Control near. The best bass gear at my local is an '80s Peavey head and one of those Kustom groove things. And after recent bad blind buying in amplification, I'll always try before I buy.

Are you talking about books void of TAB? If so, I'd like to see a lot more in this thread as I can't stand TAB! Thankyou DR. Licks for SITSOM. I too think this should be stickied and relevant material should be hunted down. That's my tuppence. I've already mentioned Carol Kaye, don't the "Real" (jazz, blues) have the basslines in those? You often just need transpose to the right key. You could also try shying a way from popular music as it can be seen as less musically serious (not my prejudice) and therefore, include TAB. Look out for Jazz and Cuban and other less mainstream genres. When I was having lessons, my teacher had a book that had the melody and bass all in bass clef! It featured the songs of Herbie Hancock and Duke Ellington. Oh what I'd do to get my hands on that book now! Cheers, Paul. --- You mentioned Motown classics books being for Piano, well a lot aren't but in the "Motown Hits of Gold" series and "Soul Survivors" there is plenty of basslines within those (Tracks of My Tears, I Get the Sweetest Feeling and many more), if not precious chord charts. My local library also has a huge Soul book which I plan to scan in at some point.

A '60s/'70s EB-3 copy (long scale, mahogany bodied, wood finish, I don't know if such a bass exists) A paint job on my Precision Special - and ashtrays I'd like to try a Warwick (never played one) as I like a chunky neck that's thin at the nut. ~Paul~

Bootiful basses. I'm most jealous of your carpet though.

Stunning bass. Now you just need the afro.

Or Humbuckers? Any modern basses using EB-0/EB-3, Ric pups?

I'm sure I've seen it before, so it's either a previous Ebay search or it was on BT: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Precision-Bass-USA-1979-Superfly-Salmon-Pink-NR_W0QQitemZ260119223057QQihZ016QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Precision-Bas...1QQcmdZViewItem[/url]

[quote name='Dusty' post='3713' date='May 21 2007, 04:11 PM']I like the look of this, but something just dont seem right, not helped by a feedback of 1 and a very vauge location ! Please let me have your opinions. [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=009&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=190114971356&rd=1&rd=1"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...p;rd=1&rd=1[/url] Thanks, Dusty[/quote] This ends in the morning, I for goodness sake hope that no one loses out £300. I once saw a 'PERCISION' bass on Ebay a few months ago. It was a 'given by my dad' 'been in the attic' job, with a pic of a '70s Precision. It sold for £680 I think. I caught up a few weeks later; no feedback was left by either party. I emailed the buyer, no reply. My guess he'd either topped himself or just given up on Ebay. Is it worth the risk for something real special? paul.

[quote name='Bloodaxe' post='4910' date='May 23 2007, 03:34 AM']What's the future like? Any good?[/quote] It's surprisingly cack.

That's certainly a beast. Many Congratulations, I hope to get there one day. I'd love to try it through two 18s and a Vintage Pbass. paul.

[quote name='paul, the' post='4890' date='May 23 2007, 02:15 AM']Thanks, I chose a different time zone, applied, then went back to GMT, applied. Now it's fine. Success! Cheers, Paul.[/quote] I spoke too soon, it thinks it's 3:18 again.

How about the Dark Star equipped Laklands? --- Or do any basses use lipstick pickups besides Danos? --- You'd think with all the British Invasion throw-back Indie bands there would be more of an outspoken demand for vintage sounding instruments. And due to their inherent deviant nature you'd have thought they'd be tired of Rics. --- Burns are a classic aren't they?

[quote name='dlloyd' post='4374' date='May 22 2007, 01:22 PM']You can check your settings by clicking "My Controls" at the top of the page, then something on the left hand side... Edit: ..."Board Settings"[/quote] Thanks, I chose a different time zone, applied, then went back to GMT, applied. Now it's fine. Success! Cheers, Paul.

[quote name='ThirteenDevils' post='4863' date='May 23 2007, 01:28 AM']Has to be Ray Browns tone on the Oscar Peterson Trio LP 'We Get Requests' listen to the track "You Look Good To Me" a chilled bowed intro followed by some great upright picking. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKKpoCy0a5Y"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKKpoCy0a5Y[/url][/quote] I'll never get tired of Oscar's playing face, he looks so happy. -- I'd give both my legs to walk like that.

Hi there, I was just thinking, aside from reissues, classics and semi-acoustics - What modern basses are designed to have a vintage tone? Cheers, Paul.