redstriper

My band's new album which just came back from being mastered - it was recorded on very basic gear in my front room and I'm quite pleased with it.

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1144095' date='Feb 28 2011, 01:52 AM']Unfortunately some of the guys who have already voted one or t'other but may have gone with "both" had the option been there to start with can't change their vote, so there's no point adding it now as it will nullify the results. As it stands this poll is fine for knowing just the preference over either flats or rounds..... Rounds by the look of it. A new poll would be the way to go.[/quote] I've removed the 'both' option as requested - I really wanted to know which string type people favoured if they could only have one. I knew rounds were more popular, but there seems to be a significant minority of flat lovers who are largely ignored by bass makers, retailers and reviewers.

Interesting results so far - thanks for your participation, I had no idea how this would go. I know most people prefer rounds, but I'm interested to know how big or small the flat loving minority is. I have added a vote for both as requested.

Why are almost all new basses supplied with round wound strings when lots of players don't like them and they make the instrument sound completely different than with flats? Why is it generally presumed everybody wants a zingy modern tone? If you play reggae or old school soul, country or blues and you want a new bass, you have to guess what it will sound like after you change the strings. Am I alone in wanting to audition basses with flat wound strings? I think suppliers should offer a basic choice of string types and shops should have models with both flats and rounds in proportion to their public demand. Not all bassists want to play metal or sound like Jaco............ do they??????? Has this poll been done before and if so what were the results and if it's a while ago, have opinions changed?

I love that holy bass.

[quote name='silddx' post='1134970' date='Feb 20 2011, 11:48 PM']Sorry, no offence meant. I was wondering if your speakers might be f***ed from too much loud dub. One of my Alesis M1 Actives is.[/quote] [b]PARDON ![/b] - Oh hang on, I'll just turn me subs down a bit.............. No need to apologise, I wasn't offended at all, I just had another listen and you're right, it's clean and very deep - what part of the frequency range is being boosted ?

[quote name='silddx' post='1134868' date='Feb 20 2011, 10:03 PM']Interesting, it's fine on mine. Have you been playing too much dub too loudly? [/quote] pardon?

[quote name='silddx' post='1134802' date='Feb 20 2011, 09:02 PM']It's the subs messing with the speakers, if you turn it down it's clean. The bass boost is extreme![/quote] I turned it right down, but it's still distorting.

ACTIVE East - Bass almost fully boosted / treble rolled off / bright flat / mid flat 7. Neck This sounds distorted, or is that the idea?

I'd like to hear that demo..........

I use an Alesis multimix 16 channel firewire mixer. It gives 16 channels similtaneous recording and 8 mic inputs with phantom power. I've been using it nearly every day for over 4 years with no problems and I would highly recommend it. I think they make a 12 and 8 channel version too - google it.

I love GHS precision flats and I buy them from the states on ebay for less than £20 delivered within a week, like [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GHS-PRECISION-BASS-STRINGS-FLATWOUND-M3050-1-SETS-/170554363653#ht_500wt_922"]these[/url]. They are great for reggae and get better the longer they're on, but they may not be bright enough for you, check out this video review:

luverly juberly - get it spent !

I enquired about the new Squier vintage modified jazz basses and here are the specs I was given: The '77' is black with a maple white bound fingerboard with white pearloid block position inlays. The body wood is agathis and it weighs 8.8 Lbs. Price = £273.00. The other model is in 3 Colour Sunburst with a rosewood neck, the body is basswood and it weighs 9.5 Lbs. Price = £228.00. Both have the same Duncan designed pickups and the weights will vary in individual models. I don't know why they choose different woods for different models, but in this case basswood seems to be a fair bit heavier.

[quote name='Jigster' post='1126372' date='Feb 13 2011, 08:14 PM']my youngest son just got one of these - plays nice and good QC[/quote] Good to hear a positive review - but is it heavy?

Thanks for the information - I've just read the thread on TB and there's not much love for them over there. I'm not too bothered about the blocks and binding, so I might go for the sunburst model with rosewood neck if I can find a nice lightweight one. And I will definately try before I buy.

I'm considering one of these and wonder what they are like for weight ? I need a lightweight jazz bass with a deep, smooth reggae tone from the neck pick up. Did you compare it to the new sunburst/rosewood model, they're even cheaper.....

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='1124676' date='Feb 12 2011, 09:42 AM']Depends who you're selling to. I've had enough back/neck/shoulder issues over the last few years that "What does it weigh?" is routinely the first question I ask about a bass that looks interesting. I no longer own any basses over 9.5lbs and I won't buy any more basses over 8.5lbs. On t'other hand, there's no shortage of folk who apparently still believe that the tone is in the wood, and that heavy = good.[/quote] Same here - weight really matters to me but after reading this thread, my 10.5 Lb jazz bass seems a bit lighter than it did. So, thanks for that.

'I just want a quick profit' would perhaps be more businesslike.

PORT TOO ! Blimey............. The scratches don't matter - think positive, at least it works .

And then there's [url="http://www.bassmerchant.com/item_detail.php?product_id=1106&category_id=3&subcat_id=1"]THESE[/url]

It suits the lad. Status apparently do nice double ball end strings and not too expensive.

I love it - just checked my office and there's nothing even near as cool lying around. If you ever want to sell it, give me a shout - or better still, lend it to me and I'll leave it behind the photo copier when I'm done.

Hi GW, I appreciate your, (and everyone else's) opinion. My experience of Squiers isn't very extensive and I am considering one as a gig replacement for my heavy old Fender jazz. Last time I was in London, I played a couple of fretless VMs in the Bass Cellar and in Macaris - they both felt and sounded great, but neither shop had a fretted model. Over at The Gallery, they also only had the fretless one, along with a CV and I played both - neither sounded as good there, possibly due to the 10" cabs I was using and I felt uncomfortable in there for some reason, (it was a bit posh for me). So, I still haven't played a fretted VM and I intend to do so soon, with a visit to a shop that has both the new sunburst VMs and the CV so I can compare and decide which is best for me. I did not notice any differences in build quality between the VM and CV at the Gallery and I prefered the satin neck of the VM, I also thought the pick ups were warmer and deeper - I play reggae and only use the neck pick up with no tone most of the time. I heard that the VMs are made by Cort in Indonesia and I don't know that their factory workers are any different to those in China, Mexico or the US - they all bolt parts together and I [i]think[/i] they know what they're building them for..........? Really all these Squiers are incredible value, with great quality for far less money than you could buy such a thing 30 years ago when I only dreamed of buying a new bass. I played a few US and Mexican Fenders while I was in London and I saw no reason at all to spend the premium for the name on the headstock. I might even buy a VM and a CV, then decide which is the keeper after I've gigged them a few times.