ChrisF

Im gonna ring the luthier tomorrow (spent most of today at the hospital ) As for the bow..I took it out and looked at it when i first got the bass...then put it away and have never, and will never use it....Im a rockabilly not part of the electric light orchestra

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1343759032' post='1754814'] They should be a decent quality string, but might or might not be to your taste as I think they're supposed to be a dark sounding string aimed at classical students. They'll probably bow easily but might be quite thumpy sounding pizzicato. [/quote] Thumpy sounds good to me ...is he the long lost dwarf ??

Just got a text from Thomann...strings posted today yay . Although, Ive been on google and cant seem to find out much about them..ah well as free stopgaps they should hopefully be ok. I copied and pasted the string name from their email.....must have been in a smaller font

Just got an email from Thomann..they are sending me a set of "[size=3][font=Verdana]Daddario Prelude J610-3/4M double bass strings" for free. Hopefully these will keep me going until I can get the Innovations.[/font][/size] [font=Verdana][size=2][size=3]I nearly bought a set of weedwackers..but someone on here warned me off them so I didnt bother in the end[/size].[/size][/font]

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1343732962' post='1754255'] Unless it's sold as being fitted with a particular brand of string, the strings on cheaper new basses are pretty much placeholders, and it's normal to fit some proper strings before you do any serious playing on it. The stock strings often have solid metal cores which are particularly prone to breakage on a double bass - quality steel core strings will have a braided core. [/quote] Thats pretty much what I thought..and she will be getting some Innovations just as soon as finances will allow ...but surely the strings on it have to be "fit for purpose" ??? I would hope that just tuning them to the right note shouldnt cause them to break...

You can see the stretching/fraying of the G string a bit better in the last one.

Taken a few pictures of the head....what do you think...does it need some work ??? [IMG]http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/l491/Chris_Finn/dbl.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/l491/Chris_Finn/dbf.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/l491/Chris_Finn/dbr.jpg[/IMG]

Yup....email sent to Thomann yesterday....Im not angry, just dissapointed They sent the last string out straight away. This time I have also mentioned the possible need for a luthier, Im hoping that they will offer to pay for it. I will have a close look at the nut to see if I can see anything obvious, but Im wondering if its just bad strings....although I would like it sorted before I think about puting a new set of Innovations on.

[quote name='zero9' timestamp='1343674165' post='1753564'] Judging by the other strings (E & A), there appears to be a definite 'kink' where these run across the nut slot. To me it looks like the nut needs some attention. As you say, bit difficult to see from the photo, however, unless you know how to shape a DB nut, I suggest speaking to some local repairers / luthiers first. Shaping a nut shouldn't be more than around £20 - £25 and will definitely be cheaper than breaking strings. [/quote] 20 quid isnt too bad I suppose. What do you think it needs ?? ...deeper grooves or something ??

[quote name='invicta59' timestamp='1343653701' post='1753122'] So when you said about 5mm above the nut, you mean about where the top of your ellipse is on the photo? To me, the G looks to be set very deeply into the nut. Did you notice if the D was the same? Any sharp edges will be damaging to the string as it crosses over (or through!) the nut and/or bridge. [/quote] yeah...just about where the top is. Doesnt seem to be any sharp edges ,and I don't think the D was too far in, but Im new to all this..so I could be wrong

This is the D string [IMG]http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/l491/Chris_Finn/D.jpg[/IMG] ..and this is the G string..I have circled the dodgy area..although its a bit hard to see as I used my phone camera. [IMG]http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/l491/Chris_Finn/G.jpg[/IMG] Cheers Zero9....yeah I would like to take it to a luthier...I think we have one quite close....free would be good as Im skinter than a skint thing at the moment

It broke about 5mm above where it crosses the nut...which is also where the G string looks like it is going to go. I made sure that it was wound as per a thread on this site...eg: no crossing other strings etc. Im just fed up now.....only been able to play it for about 4 days out of the 2 or 3 weeks that Ive had it.

Right...now Im really angry Loosened the strings one at a time and put the graphite on the bridge grooves and the nut grooves..... After I had done them all I started to tune her up. Brilliant, E and A strings are perfect. However, the D string got to C....and I thought great nearly there, but then I heard a very strange noise. It was coming from the top of the bass...all of a sudden loud TWANG !!! and the D string has gone. It looks like the G is going too.... I will put a pic on when I find my camera (bloomin kids ) ...but Im really not happy..and Thomann are gonna get one heck of an email. Think I might sweet talk the missus and get the Innovations now

[quote name='Kesh' timestamp='1343604506' post='1752719'] Leaning it on the tuners when you put it down? [/quote] Nope, never Gonna try the graphite idea.

Firstly, I cant believe how much difference a little bit of fettling makes. Bass was sounding very strange... a bit twangy as my missus put it, so I layed it down in the front room (loads more room than where I usually practice) and had a proper look at it. And the bridge was way out..pushed over to one side and leaning forward....so I sorted it out with a mallet and a block of wood...and hey presto...it actually sounds like a bass now. Anyway..now to the question... Im told that the strings will go out of tune/stretch, to start with, but how often should I actually retune it?? I ask because Ive already had a the D string break whilst tuniing it and Im not sure if this was a dodgy string or me tuning it too often or too much. It seems to be out of tune everytime I pick it up. I use a chromatic tuner as recommended....but it just seems to me that the strings have to be wound to within an inch of their life to get anywhere near the right note. I realise that the strings (which came with the bass) wont be top of the range and are almost certainly high tension...( I will be getting some Inovation strings eventually.....but at the moment the piggy bank is empty), but surely they should tune up without creaking like a suspension bridge in a gale force wind ??

Cheers....when I get some cash I will look into an Underwood.....Im after a deep thudding bass sound (if that makes any sense to anyone but me )

[quote name='invicta59' timestamp='1343491111' post='1751414'] I've not used either of the two pickups [/quote] So just out of curiosity, what do you use ??

[quote name='invicta59' timestamp='1343491111' post='1751414'] I've not used either of the two pickups you ,motioned to know if they are any good tonally, but for under 40 quid they may be useful backups if and when you decide to upgrade. Clicky pick ups are subjective, I have mine almost turned off as I like a 'natural' click and not having the click overwhelming the notes. Either way, only you will know whether you need one or not. [/quote] When I can afford it I am going to get a much better one, and Im not too impressed with the click over powering the notes either, so I think you have helped me to make up my mind....thanks

Yeah..reckon Im gonna go for the silver slaps......heard some good things about them.

£75 is a very good price for a set..but out of the question for a few months. Its birthday season in my house at the moment....comes of having 4 kids I suppose ...3 of them with birthdays within a 3 week period.

[quote name='artisan' timestamp='1343462811' post='1751047'] welcome to the mad house,nice looking bass you've got there. [/quote] Thanks...gotta admit I was smitten the moment I unwrapped her. Just need to save up for some Innovation strings now. Cant afford anything fancy in the way of mic at the moment so I was going to get either a [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200618597590?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200618597590?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648[/url] or a [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200675950522?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200675950522?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648[/url] ...what do you think ???? even though I will only be playing Rockabilly, do I need the neck/slap pickup ??.

[quote name='invicta59' timestamp='1343424098' post='1750748'] Congratulations.. welcome to the never ending, and expensive pursuit of sonic happiness [/quote] Lol...your not wrong there. Im already thinking about new strings and amplification and all sorts of other things. Due to holidays, there wont be a band practice for a couple of weeks.....cant wait to show her off to the rest of the band

[quote name='fatback' timestamp='1342967586' post='1743226'] Cool indeed. Demands some sharp dressing by the player. I see a big footwear bill coming. [/quote] lol.....footwear Ive got. Its the peg trousers that cost a mint..... Managed to break the D string 2 days after getting her ...emailed Thomann..and they sent one out straight away.

Me and Holly [IMG]http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/l491/Chris_Finn/DB.jpg[/IMG]

[quote name='FLoydElgar' timestamp='1342126595' post='1730195'] thwaites rent one at £35 a month if u dnt like it then send it back [/quote] HUH ??????