redstriper

Are you talking to me?

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1354104192' post='1882027'] You haven't, but you did transport me through Holyhead a few times. Recognised you immediately. best, bert [/quote] Do I know you Bert?

It is very much a case of getting the right strings to suit the right bass and we are all looking for our personal definition of the right tone. I have tried lots of flats and now have 5 different kinds on different basses - what suits one can sound totally wrong on another.

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1354209926' post='1883691'] Loved the Gordon Brown clip at 2:40. Talk about [b]gross[/b] [/quote] Fixed Glad you enjoyed it - my favourite bit is the journalist swearing at about 1.30.

[quote name='TRBboy' timestamp='1354209433' post='1883681'] I've only had experience of this with Sandbergs, but I found that the European Ash was a little more focused with a more accentuated top and bottom end and a bit less presence in the lower mid ranges, whereas the Alder had a less extreme top and bottom end response, but had much more low-mid growl. Both had bags of punch and cut through a mix beautifully, but in the end my preference was for the Alder (it was quite a bit lighter too). [/quote] How do you know it was the body wood type causing the tonal differences? Were all the basses otherwise identical - ie. you swapped pick ups, necks, strings etc. so the only difference was the body wood? Please don't take this the wrong way, I'm genuinely interested.

You should play the bass first, otherwise it's a gamble more likely to result in disappointment. The feel and tone of a bass cannot be specified by mail order whatever the wood used.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30hvva2CAu0[/media]

The GHS Precisions are the same as the Lakland flats according to the email I had from Lakland, but I can't confirm it from personal experience. GHS Precisions are the smoothest of all flats that I have tried and I have never found them sticky even when new. They are slightly too bright for me when new and I prefer them after a few months when they mellow out - even better after a few years. I play finger style, never use a pick and I love the tone for reggae, soul and funk. Trying different strings is always a gamble and it's best to stick with your favourites when you find some that really suit you. I would love to try some [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]La Bellas sometime, but I would rather try some well used ones if anyone has an old set going cheap?[/font][/color]

[quote name='Highfox' timestamp='1354174261' post='1882955'] Thanks for the tips on these strings. I just put some of the GHS Precisions on yesterday before practice and wonder how long they take to break -in?. I'm finding them a lot slower than the La Bellas as you mentioned, the stickiness and also very dark in sound with a lot of top missing compared to the La Bella's! I don't want to give up on them just yet.. just wonder if the sound will change? [/quote] I've never tried La Bellas, but I can say that the GHSs will not get any brighter - if anything they will get less bright and more mellow with age. I don't find them sticky when new, but they probably do get a bit smoother over time. Which gauge are you using?

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1354139349' post='1882722'] S'funny innit, I feel I am incredibly cynical, but one very close friend told me I am very [b]optimistic about humanity[/b], I am thankfully starting to believe them But I wonder if you are right. I know you're a fair geezer mate [/quote] I change from minute to minute, for no apparent reason but my basic attitude is that we're all doomed - I mean have you looked beyond BC recently?

Respect all round - I love you all

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1354137214' post='1882683'] Very very sadly, I think you are probably right, but I desperately hope that's not the case here, and I am saddened and disappointed you would expect the entrants to do so. I do hope this is not your personal attitude as I have always thought you were a very fair kind of guy. And I don't mean your complexion, although Anglesey might do that to a person The effort should go into the interpretation, composition, execution, and being true to oneself. Not trying to ensure material gain with a campaign strategy, if that's the case then one should enter the Basschat Public Relations & Marketing Competition [/quote] Sorry Nig, I must be getting cynical in my old age I'm not an expert on human behaviour, but I know people like to win, (not just for material gain) and asking friends for support may not seem so bad to everyone. This is a competition after all and every song entered is a campaign strategy. I am a very fair kind of guy btw

I voted again for the same song. I would expect entrants to drum up as many votes as possible in whatever way they can in order to win the prize. That's human nature isn't it?

I bought 4 sets of strings from Michael, fast delivery, good comms, great price - what's not to like!

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1354066053' post='1881760'] Only on South Stack I do! b, b [/quote] Bert - do you fly from Valley to Cardiff on the little passenger plane? If so I may have flown with you Chris - it's a great place to live, once you get used to the slow pace and discover the magic. I've been here 30 years and it took about 5 for me to really settle cos I'm a city lad at heart. As you say, it takes ages to get anywhere due to the roads and no one is in a rush. I've long advocated flattening Snowdon and putting a motorway straight through, but it's not a popular idea round here for some reason Let me know if you're coming to the gig and I'll meet you there - I think there are a few coming from Aber way. Steve.

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1354058167' post='1881649'] Just move to Holyhead. There, the rain blows away, keeping you dry. [written in my camper van on South Stack, [b]just seconds before landing again[/b] - in Valley] best, bert [/quote] WTF Bert - do you have a flying camper van?

Oh yeh - forgot to say......... it rains a lot here

Croeso y Cymru Hope you enjoy it up here - I'm on Anglesey, not too far away. We've got a gig in Bangor on Dec 8th if you're about. [url="http://www.facebook.com/events/426528184061868/"]http://www.facebook.com/events/426528184061868/ [/url]

My vote is cast - excellent work all round, there is a lot of great talent here.

I don't think the choice of body wood contributes much to the tone.

The feel and tone of different makes of flats is remarkable and I would be disappointed if I only tried TIs and Chromes. I have some rounds that I try occasionally, but I still don't 'get' them Some strings sound poor on some basses and perfect on others - it's very nice when you find the right match.