The59Sound

PMT Northampton - a few years back now. Wanted to switch string gauges but couldn't be bothered to do the new set-up myself. I know, will drop it off at PMT. Hello, can you restring and set-up my bass for me? No problem, see you in a week. One week later... Hello, I'm here to pick up my bass. That will be £10 please. For a restring and set-up? Wow, that's a good price. No, we only restrung your bass liked you asked... I showed him my original receipt which clearly states set-up. Well, you could leave it with us another week to finish the set-up? Right... One good thing that came out of this is I taught myself how to do a set-up, adjusting the truss rod, action at the bridge & nut, intonation, pickup heights etc.

D'Addario's are just a little scooped for my liking and the 45-100 set is all over the place in terms of tension - Drop D? Don't even think about it! I used to play the 45-105 XL set before I moved to DR and never looked back.

At the very least I would check the intonation.

Every time you do a string change to a different manufacturer, even the same gauge, you should check the set-up on your bass. Tension can vary quite a bit even in similar gauges.

Hmm... so wouldn't be a huge upgrade if any from my MXR M80, just an added comp installed. I like my M80 - the clean section is really good. The OD section leaves me cold though; it can do full on retro 70s fuzz but that's it. No gain break up, no 'normal' OD. Probably why I have a BBBOD and Russian Muff RI!

And with the .120 tuned to D, it drops to 38.3. If you wanted to make it work, you could order a custom set of XLs? 45 - 60 - 80 - 120 41.3 - 40.9 - 39.6 - 38.3 Tuned to drop D. But - when you retune to E that .120 goes up to 48.3.

I don't think it will be as balanced as you think according to the D'Addario tension calc...

DR Sunbeams short scale!

DR Neons/Black Beauties/Red Devils etc etc are all the same string - Sunbeams with the K3 coating. Only difference is the coating colour. DR Dragon Skins are coated Hi Beams. Anyone who is after a 'normal' looking DR coated string, DR Silver Stars are your friend.

I had the TC Classic 450 and the drive feature was never used... the new MXR M80?

Just go a gauge up to .50, maybe even .55

Flats are constructed differently to rounds but their tension is roughly the same (in the same gauge by the same manufacturer). What you think is high tension is a string that doesn't flex much, hence people assuming higher tension.

Never trust a promoter - cut out the middle man and talk directly to the other bands.

Ear plugs? Of course it's someone else's fault because he didn't put them in.

Or just buy them off this eBay seller. Which I have many times and had no problems with custom charges. https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/DR-NMLR-45-SUNBEAM-NICKEL-BASS-STRINGS-MED-LIGHT-GAUGE-4s-45-100/122957356084?epid=2255520033&hash=item1ca0d45c34:g:GEIAAOSwcdBWS40X

Heartbreaker, Led Zep II. Enough said...

They are quite a bit more tension than Sunbeams IME. Not as well balanced too. Do sound good though! I think standard Dunlop nickels are worth a shout. Very similar to Sunbeams IMO. Not quite as smooth as Sunbeams and a touch more tension. They are hexcore but due to the thin wire they use, bends are still really easy and string to string balance is quite nice as well. IIRC an ex DR guy is now running the Dunlop string department.

At least Townshend knew he couldn't play solos unlike Jimmy!

Rock originals so guess I'm off the hook, thanks Dad!

Oh dear. One beer and you're an alcoholic now.

Damn, nice gig. Rag & Bone man has a great voice.

A photo of the previous settings is always a good idea. Just a quick chat with the bloke if you're okay to change the amp settings but you should be alright. I've had a few horror stories with amps before, let alone people putting pints on top. One time, a guy placed his bass on top of my Shuttle head!

Carl Martin Opto Comp.

Now for sale: https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/322013-la-bella-black-tapewounds-760n/