dannybuoy

I used drop D even on my 5 string when it calls for it. Some tracks just call for that low open string rather than a B string at the 3rd fret. Partly because it doesn't sound the same (although I imagine if I had a fanned fret Dingwall that might negate that), but also some riffs in D are pretty tricky to play if you're constantly having to reach back to that low D. Due to this I also thought I'd make the move from a 5 to a 4 in my last band. That is, until I found a couple of tracks that really benefited from those lower notes, then there was no going back!

Lower gauges are often better for heavier music, your can coax a bit more growl out of the strings.

They did bring out new gold versions, but not sure if they have any metal shielding at the jack plug end (the first gen were pure plastic, which may be the root of the problem). Completely silent headphone practice with the dimmers on since making the switch though. Just putting one EBS flatty in a true bypass loop was proof enough for me.

They are lower profile and more flexible for sure. But I found out why my board was so noisy and it was those damn cables, they’re very poorly shielded. If you have a dimmer switch on in the room, just adding one of those to the chain picks up the buzz like an antenna!

The Digitech Whammy sounds great for dropping a couple of semitones. Barely any latency and sounds realistic. Weirdly though, it has 2 modes, and for this purpose at least, the classic mode sounds better that the new polyphonic mode. They also have a pedal named The Drop dedicated to this task, I’ve not tried it but I imagine it would use their fancy new polyphonic algorithm from the newer Whammy. If you just need drop D for a few tunes though, I’d either retune or get a Hipshot Xtender key.

Musofinder was another one I recall, don't know if it's any good these days though!

Joinmyband doesn't have very good search/filtering capabilities, I was on there earlier. The search uses Google so pulls up ads from years ago, so you just have to wade through dozens of pages. More than once too if you live on the border of multiple counties, as that's how the lists are divided up!

Malekko Diabolik gets my vote. Tons of low end, raspy but not overly harsh, very expressive to playing dynamics, slightly gated to give separation to staccato notes, and, er, well squelchy. https://youtu.be/qlXpGqW4m84/?t=300

https://www.richtonemusic.co.uk/product/dand-addario-exl170-5tp-twin-pack-45-130 2 packs for £40!

You can get them in packs of 2 quite cheap as well. A fellow convert here, after trying all sorts on my BB415 only to get a 1025X and realise I liked those stock strings more than anything else I’d tried! Still have to try those NYXLs, I have a 4 string set so just need to obtain a low B!

Here’s a couple of demos of what the S1 switch will do for you:

It does. It also makes it sound worse, so best not to press it!

I guess I got lucky, I picked one up from eBay for about a tenner and it had just a hint of green! It was a few years ago now, but if I manage to dig up a link I'll post it.

Another thing worth mentioning that eBay offer these days - if the bid winner pulls out, as well as having the option to relist, the seller has the option to offer it to the second highest bidder. If by taking part in the bidding war, you helped to push the price up a bit, then by placing a winning bid and pulling out, the seller might end up selling for a higher price than they would have done had you not participated! 😋

eBay should offer a USB breathalyser test that you have to pass before purchasing anything!

Well in the real world, where unpredictable humans are involved and imaginary contracts are not enforced, it is exactly how eBay works. I've 'sold' stuff to people who haven't paid up nor even had the decency to message me to let me know they were no longer interested. After a week of no contact I gave up and relisted it. A little annoying but no big deal. If someone messaged me to say they're really sorry but changed their mind I would have no problem at all and just realise that it comes with the territory when selling anything online, or offline for that matter.

I don't see it as a question of morality, just a simple question of do you want the bass or not? It's too easy to impulse buy these days, but I believe you should have the right to change your mind without feeling guilty. No money has changed hands or item been dispatched, you haven't agreed to meet him then not shown up. The seller can relist with a single click and begrudgingly accept that's what happens from time to time when you sell on eBay. Like many of us, I have on more than one occasion cancelled an order from a shop shortly after ordering, or returned the item after trying it out. That's a lot of inconvenience for a shop, yet seems more socially acceptable here!

Currently digging the DP3X for modern tones and the Aguilar Tonehammer + Agro (which stack together really well) for vintage ones. Don't really need more than that!

I had one and hated it. Good job you didn't listen to me when I said it was cr4p! 😁

Pfft. Tell the seller sorry you don't want it, all he has to do is click a button and relist it for free. If the auction win made you feel a bit sick, that's your gut telling you not to buy it, I'd listen to it. You'll only feel like a plonker if you buy it and you don't really want it.

There will be a B3n in the classifieds very soon! 😉

This was the suggested up next from Youtube, I quite like it:

You certainly are, and one of the best UK rappers to boot!

I don’t know what you’d call those first two, but I wouldn’t call them grime. Grime is more like UK council estate gangsta rap with atonal metal riffs played on a Bontempi organ.