MiltyG565

I've not personally tried them, so don't know how they make your hands smell (although I know what you mean - stocking mainly acoustic guitars, a day of rest ringing them leaves a very odd aroma), but D'Addario do what they call reds. I think they're like a standard bass string with a phosphor bronze coating. I'll have a look in the catalogue later when I'm in the shop to get a better description.

[quote name='3below' timestamp='1400012996' post='2449962']
D'addario Chromes - the black nylon tapewound ones, (surely some contradiction there) were ok on my fretless Warwick. I just applied the usual cure - TI flats, plenty of growl when needed.
[/quote]

Chromes have a nickel wrap, I believe. I never really understood it myself, but I don't understand them calling their new guitar strings "NY XL". People keep asking if they are nylon strings! (They aren't, btw).

Warwick steels, surely I bought a bass with a set of Warwick steels on it, and they sounded great, IMO. Worth a try. I would have thought that Warwick make their strings to suit their basses.

Just to add - I've noticed how people on this thread have said "yeah, I had that problem. I use XYZ strings now". Whatever the XYZ brand is, they all use sealed plastic bags as packaging. And I agree - you hardly ever get a bad string from a sealed plastic bag. However, Rotosound are switching to that method of packaging, so fans of Rotosound shouldn't be disappointed for much longer.

[quote name='theyellowcar' timestamp='1399915915' post='2448938']
I have stopped buying anything other than Rotosounds now. I've tried Ernie Ball, Elites, D'Addario and didn't get on with any of them.

I'm using the RB40's which are the cheap as chips nickel wound ones. Yet to let me down.
[/quote]

Cheap as chips indeed! But, IME, they don't last so long. A set of the equivalent EB's or D'Addario lasts far longer, if about £10 more expensive.

You might not be alone in your problems - Rotosound strings are packaged in a paper envelope - one which is designed to repel moisture away from the string. The trouble is that the company who made this packaging changed... Something, but the end result was that the packaging no longer repelled moisture, so the strings would come out of the package looking already used. They aren't, it's just duff packaging. What you're going to see very soon is a range of new packaging coming out. All their strings will be packed in a corrosion resistant plastic bag with a sachet of silica to absorb any moisture. Some shops already have the new packaging.

What I'd say to do is to bring the strings back to your retailer or get in touch with Rotosound themselves.

[quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1401779796' post='2466660']
Check out Pressurewounds. The ones GHS do are particularly good.
[/quote]

I only ever bought one set of GHS strings. A set of nickel wounds. They lasted a couple of weeks with light use, then died the biggest death I have ever witnessed in a set of strings. I actually thought something was wrong with my bass. I'd hope that their pressures and flats are entirely different.

[quote name='Greggo' timestamp='1395945540' post='2408308']
I'm a recent convert to flatwound strings and particularly love the smooth feel. But I still sometimes crave the "bite" of rounds.

Are half rounds a good middle ground in this sense? I'm thinking of trying inexpensive status halfs. I know people say some flats are bright like rounds (chrome?) but it's more about keeping a flatwound feel but a rounds type of sound and not spending a lot.

Plus I'm going to be going to one bass so can't string one with flats / one with rounds.

Thanks!
[/quote]

Yeah, it might work. The thing to remember, though, is that half rounds don't have all the feel of flats, and not all the top end of rounds. I had a set of D'Addario half rounds, and they sounded really nice, but I had to really hammer at them to get that nice top end sound. Playing them gently, you could hear that they aren't exactly flats, but they sounded far from rounds IMO. A decent set of strings though. I think they were about £30. I didn't use them a great deal, so I gave them to We Need Strings. Hopefully somebody is rocking out for a long time with them! (I'm sure they last a fair while).

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1401476334' post='2464090']


Of course, which is why the genuine article is usually so much more expensive. Manufacturers don't offer warranties out of generosity - they keep careful track of returns and costs of repairs/replacements and simply include those costs in their pricing models. Not much different than buying expensive extended warranty insurance really.
[/quote]

I prefer to think of it like this - the higher cost of a genuine item comes from a greater level of quality control and investment in development. When you make a product, such as Planet Waves/D'Addario does, where you can offer a lifetime guarantee, you need to be pretty confident that nearly all your products are meeting your, an everybody's, high standards.

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1401469855' post='2463997']
Rather like the old 409 mic that guitarists want on their cabs because 'SRV used one'; these come in around £350-400 and God knows if the counterfeiters are slipping some into the market.
[/quote]

They likely are if they think they can make a quick £400.

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1401469300' post='2463986']
I'm not trying to deny or defend fake products in any way. My criticism of that programme is that it was superficial fluff (at best). The above comments alone suggest that fake SM58s are not (always) as bad as that programme tried to make out, which is hardly surprising since 30+ year old technology is unlikely to be particularly difficult to copy.

As for fake products having serious faults and flaws, well yes but that's not confined to fake products is it? Plenty of genuine products are recalled every year because of manufacturing or design faults. Here's just one example from yesterday's news: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27628484

So, buying genuine is no guarantee of a perfect product - as this website shows: http://www.recalls.gov/

I'm just trying to inject a bit of perspective.
[/quote]

Yeah, the thing with a genuine flawed item is that you can phone up the manufacturer and say "what the hell!?". You're very unlikely to be able to do that with a fake one. I wouldn't be too worried about a mic anyway, I'd be more concerned with fake iPhone chargers, and the like. Like you said - 30 year old technology isn't hard to produce very cheaply today.

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1401447519' post='2463692']
But is the fake really an inferior product? The SM58 is a decades old design so I doubt it would be particularly difficult to make a well-performing copy. Has anyone ever conducted detailed comparative testing?
[/quote]

The problem is that fake products, especially fake electrical products, often do have serious faults and flaws that would not be present on the genuine article. Customs are constantly seizing product which has been shipped to the UK (usually from China). There's been plenty of shows about it. Because the genuine article gives you some recall if there's a fault, they are made to a higher standard, and meet regulations.

[quote name='sprocketflup' timestamp='1388704497' post='2325220']
Im not getting any younger, but just lately I can tell if Ive played my bass the previous day as I get pain in my right (plucking) wrist a couple of inches up from the 'crease' and my fretting hand just hurts all over.

Its really started worrying me of late, it started in November and I thought id just overdone it a bit, but it hasnt gone away like i hoped it would. Ive tried varying my strap height but that doesnt seem to have made any difference.

Any tips on how to deal with this?

cheers
[/quote]

Maybe take a break? It could be loads of things - muscle strain,trauma, tendon...thingy. Take a break and relax. Maybe convince somebody to massage your arm? if it doesn't get any better, to the doctor/physiotherapist with ye!

[quote name='Cameronj279' timestamp='1400150964' post='2451191']
I'm not understanding the "increase in tone" phrase here?

From my experience it's been different but neither increased nor decreased.
[/quote]

Yup! Worst is guitarists who say "thicker strings have more tone" err... You mean volume, don't you?

To the OP - try a different type of string. I find Ernie Balls to be stunningly average. Very nice to play, but certainly lacking a lot in terms of tone, IMO. Half rounds have a lot more bass too them, but much less high end. The tension is higher though, so you'll need to do a bit of adjusting, but you can use the same gauge as you currently do and get an instant boost in the low end.

Another thing to think about is pickup height - this can affect the tone you get. A lower pickup can give a bit more of a growl, I find.

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1399982089' post='2449533']


...but the motivation is very similar, if not exactly the same, whether you're playing in a pub or on YouTube - i.e. wanting an audience for your performance.

Of course a live gig is very different environment to recording a YouTube clip at home. But both are... ultimately... about the vanity of performance and wanting to 'connect' with people.

If you're really questioning the value of YouTube as a promotional medium, then may I point you to Ceefax page 303 where you'll find more information on the topic
[/quote]

Can anyone really deny Youtube's value as a promotional tool? That's basically all it is. Large companies pay to put ads on videos. Small companies make promotional videos. Bassists make covers (which might be used as a demo to show to potential band members - further promotion).

In my experience, it was simply out of boredom. That, and the fact that saying "I want to make a cover of song X" gave you a definable goal, rather than just rambling about random songs when you practice, you then have a new song to learn and play well for the cover.

Aside from that, it teaches you a lot of other things. Audio recording. Video recording. Editing, mixing and syncing together. The world of YouTube ('breaking into' a market on YouTube can be incredibly difficult).

A better question might be - if you have the time and equipment, why not do it? It can be very beneficial.

[quote name='lurksalot' timestamp='1399399100' post='2443875']
What is a basschat mix competition simulator 2014 game ? I am not sure why it is funny
[/quote]

It's a pisstake on the amount of simulator games produced, and the fact that I actually play some of them. I'm currently playing an Alpha of Prison Architect.

Ah Pollocks!

Utterly forgot about this at the weekend!

I'll tell you what though - If anyone wanted to make "Basschat Mix competition simulator 2014" game, I'd certainly put a lot of hours into that...

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1398900307' post='2438965']
Beedster - if you have an issue with moderation then you really need to take it to PM as per the T&Cs.
[/quote]

I did this before. Never heard a single word (not even a quick reply). Didn't inspire me with confidence that my issue was taken seriously, let alone even dealt with.

Maybe it's to do more with the mentality and lifestyle of those from small towns than those from big cities?

Were I in England, I'd be delighted to help out, unfortunately, I'm not, but if+when it comes to NI, I'd be happy to give it a home and find people to gig it (working in a music shop helps find musicians who aren't on the forum (although I'll get them to sign up before playing)).

Incidentally - does the bass need any more strings? I realise it's nearly a year since I sent the last batch. What do folks like to play?

Edit - I've got a set of Elixir steels here, if everyone is happy with those, I can send them off this week

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1398235370' post='2431823']
Plenty of time Milty! It's a very mix-friendly set of stems, so you should have no problems.
[/quote]

Oh! Now you've gone and done it! Now there most definitely will be problems! (probably problems that I create whilst trying to be clever )

Ah bloody hell! I really need to keep a closer eye on this forum! How long have I got? 10/11 days? Best get to it!

[quote name='Donnyboy' timestamp='1397306679' post='2422651']
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Yip I think my male modelling career looks promising![/font][/color]
[/quote]

Donny - I'm planning an advertising campaign. Would you mind looking at the camera and giving the thumbs up? Also, instead of a notable bassist, would you mind if you put your arm around a beautiful female model? You'll be paid £1000 for your hard work

Also - Saw on the Facebook page that the relay has now jumped over the £2000 mark! Fantastic! Good work, everyone

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1395249364' post='2400224']
Long post alert! And need to say this.
Well I've been learning to play for a year now. And I at first really enjoyed it and up until Xmas I practiced a lot. I love bass from many points of view. However recently and despite buying a new bass too, I've suffered from bass playing melancholy I love looking at the bass but am not In anyway enjoying playing or practicing. I've lately made a few short little bass tunes which is cool I guess and have felt more comfortable playing and made little advances in playing too. Interestingly I've also been not interested in music as I once was.

In part I blame this on not being able to give enough dedication, as it's very much a side hobby and I think I would need professional help/lessons to correct my bad technique.

I'm competitive and if I don't feel like I'm going to be a certain standard in something then I guess I sack it off. And my expectations in playing are not that high.

I don't want to give up. But frankly I don't want to waste my time if I just feel frustrated. I'm also extremely skint (again) and what little cash I would raise would come in handy.

I know someone who plays guitar they have for 30 years they spend a lot of time and money on it and frankly he is still rubbish. I don't want to be that guy
[/quote]

One or 2 points:

It can be difficult to put the time and effort into playing bass outside of the context of a band, and having a bit of fun with your mates. That's when playing is most enjoyable, and that's when you'll progress the most.

I wouldn't like to think that after 30 years playing that you would still be of an intermediate level. Something is certainly wrong with whatever your mate is doing, I reckon.

I know how it is, though. I've hardly spent more than a few hours playing bass this entire year so far. The important thing is, though, that if my mate phones me today and says "Bring your bass over, and we'll have a jam", I can lift my bass and go have some fun with it - that's what it's there for!