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[size=4][font=Helvetica]It has been almost two months since I got a lovely package in the post from Elixir, and I feel its a good time to finally write some feedback. I was sent a 4 string set of 45-100 Nickel strings and as an added bonus I also a T-Shirt which was very kind of them, it was even the right size![/font] [attachment=199432:IMG_2041.jpg] [font=Helvetica]I am most definately not complaining, but the set I was sent was 4 string and at the moment I am down to two 5 string basses so I needed to buy myself a B string. This was not an issue as I basically got a whole set of Elixirs for £12…BARGAIN! As I was ordering a single string, I thought why not get another full set of the new Elixirs to go on the other bass so I can trial them on a 5 string Precision and Jazz and really get a good feel for them.[/font] [font=Helvetica]So far they have done 11 practices and 7 gigs with me spending around 60% of the time on the Precision. I will break down my thoughts into a few basic headings:[/font] [font=Helvetica][b]Feel:[/b] I am not a stranger to Elixirs as I have used them on acoustic guitar and bass before, so I knew they were going to feel pretty slick and smooth under the fingers. I may be imagining it but I thought the new coating felt a little bit smoother than the previous and this sounds strange, but they felt a bit softer. I love smooth strings and have used Nickel Ernie Ball slinky's and Dunlop super-bright strings a lot, which I find very comfortable under the fingers.[/font] [font=Helvetica][b]Tension: [/b]As I mentioned previously I have been using Dunlop and Ernie Ball strings most recently so its easiest to compare the Elixir strings to those as they are fresher in my mind. To me the Elixirs sit somewhere in-between both brands, with the Dunlop’s being lower in tension and Ernie Ball’s being slightly more taut. To be honest it didn’t really effect me, all three feel great on a 34” scale bass even on a B string.[/font] [font=Helvetica][b]Sound:[/b] I put new sets straight on both of my basses which both previously had Dunlop super-bright strings which had been on for a couple of months. Brand new they are bright as you would expect but they didn’t have the super bright clean ‘zing’ the Dunlops had. This isn't a criticism at all, I found the Dunlops great for slap but a little too bright for me as I am 99% of the time a finger style player. [/font] [font=Helvetica]The Elixir’s have a very clear but warm top end to them, very musical with none of the horrible ‘zing’ I often get. I also found that compared to a lot of new strings they had a more prominent mid range, which is another winner in my book. I don't like the ‘scooped’ sound I often have to put up with from new strings, and often find it takes a couple of days for other strings to break in to the point I am getting the sound I am after. Sadly the string usually deteriorates shortly after I get the ideal tone and then I am back to replacing or occasionally boiling my strings to get my tone back.[/font] [font=Helvetica]On the B string (and others come to mention it) the bass is fantastic but not flabby in any way on my basses. The B string is defined and full and well balanced in tone and feel with the other strings. I have found with other string brand in the past that E-G have a sound of their own and the B sounds like it from a different set, usually dull and thud in comparison.[/font] [font=Helvetica][b]Lifespan/Durability: [/b]This is what Elixirs and other coated strings are all about, durability and extended life of string and tone. They are not cheap strings so inevitably the question most people may ask themselves is, do I buy 2-3 sets of ‘normal’ strings, or one set of Elixirs. Before I answer I will have to discuss the unpleasant topic of sweat. [/font] [font=Helvetica]I play a lot of clubs, bars and marquees which have recently all been very hot. I also seem to have incredibly destructive sweat and have on occasion killed a set of strings after a week and two gigs on a bass. I am lucky that my various bands are getting work but the money is tight especially when you play in an 11 piece soul band. Replacing strings regularly is not an option as it eats up my gig money, so I have tolerated dead strings on gigs because I just cant afford to keep replacing sets.[/font] [font=Helvetica]As I mentioned, the strings have done 11 practices and 7 gigs now and they are performing exceptionally well. I can honestly say I have noticed only a slight drop in the top end of the strings but they are still incredibly bright and give a lovely slap tone without too much of a metallic ‘clank’ when you pluck. The tone is full and clear as it was when they went on and I have on occasion still rolled the tone off on the bass to reduce the top end for some tunes.[/font] [font=Helvetica]I know some people have questioned how the coating holds up to playing with a plectrum and whilst I am not a heavy pick player and only play 4 songs in a set with a plectrum, I it hasn't had any effect on the coating yet. I did notice some fraying of the coating on older sets and that was just from finger style (although over a long period) so this hints at the coating being stronger which may be good news to some heavier pick players.[/font] [font=Helvetica][b]Conclusions:[/b] For my situation and applications Elixirs do exactly what they say. The lifespan seems superb so far and I look forward to seeing how well they do further down the line. The tone, after an initial small decline in top end, has remained steady and consistent which is more than I can say for other strings I have used. [/font] [font=Helvetica]I would most definately be looking at replacing at least one set of strings on my basses by now if I had been using Ernie Balls or Dunlops. With that in mind the cost has balanced out against what I would have spend on other brands of strings, and if they can last a few more gigs and weeks of practicing ,I am confident in saying that for me at least, they are more economical in the long run than other non coated strings. [/font] [font=Helvetica]These are great strings, they last longer than other brands, the tone is more to my liking and far far more consistent over time and across the bass, and it looks like they are actually going to save me money in the long run. Its easy to be swayed and say nice things when people give you free things but honestly if I had been unimpressed I would not have gone to the effort of making all this up just to make Elixir feel better about their product. As it stand though, at least from me they should be very proud of what they have developed.[/font][/size]

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1437508756' post='2826697'] I bought one so you didn't have to... DON'T BOTHER. [/quote] Too late, I bought one with some strings from Strings Direct and it was easiest decision I have ever made to send it back. It was useless, completely killed the strings and unless I had it right by the bridge it changed the pitch of the note! It also didn't cover all of the string on my 5 string despite saying in all the literature that it was for 4/5 string basses. So back to good old fashioned foam, and £17 back in my account.

Most people you play for when you are in a band will be 'unqualified' but even people who dont play an instrument know when something isn't right. Criticism isnt easy to take in any aspects of life, but someone once told me the three worst things you can criticise someone for are, their driving, their skills in the bedroom and their music. If someone comes up to you and starts ranting about how rubbish you are with mallice, it is very unpleasant but it should be taken with some tact and you just walk away. Sometimes you need to be critical to make someone better and learning to take that gracefully without getting angry and making excuses such as 'their opinion doesnt count they dont play" is in my opinion, a very big part of being a mature musician and a 'grown-up'. I am in a band with someone that gets angry, chucks his toys out and will blame everything under the sun if you point out a mistake he makes. These are usually the same mistakes that need rectifying for the good of the band, but its not seen that way and he just behaves like a child and has a strop. For me its a sign of a very insecure and immature musician/person and if I had my way I would rather not have him in the band but its not my call. In short, take friendly criticism with some grace and humility and see it as someone trying to help. If that criticism is aimed at antagonising and upsetting you, walk away and call them a c*ck

I think our house insurance is with Bank of Scotland, all my kit is covered in and outside of the house even though I gig and get paid. I have them info on what the gear was and it cost little extra than normal. My mountain bike used to cost more to have on the insurance and was worth far less.

I'm going to see how much comes in for tomorrow nights gig and might risk £16.99 on trying one out. I can always pass it on if it's not what I'm after.

Has anyone tried the new Gruv Gear jump yet? Web page here: http://www.gruvgear.com/fump I know this can be achieved with a cheap bit of foam under the strings at the bridge, but I am tempted to try one for £15 as I switch from Soul/Motown to disco pretty quickly at gigs and tend to stick with one bass.

I have two basses, one jazz and one precision, and only ever really touch one at a gig. The other is there as a 'backup' in case a string goes or some wiring goes but it has never happened. I do keep spare strings, screwdrivers, allen wrenches and tape etc in my gig bag which some people think is a bit odd but I suppose that is my form of security in case anything goes wrong at a gig. I have never come accross anyone who has a backup guitar/bass for ones they dont play live and dont really use but if it makes you happy dont worry about it. From my perspective it seems a bit obsessive and if it was me I would sell a few of them but money in my bank makes me happier than a house full of guitars.

I would really like the opportunity to try these new strings and have the chance to give direct feedback to a big company.[list] [*][b]Have you tried Elixir strings before?[/b] [/list] Yes I have used Elixirs on acoustic guitar and electric guitar, and once recently on one of my basses (I believe they were the old type of string)[list] [*][b]What other brands are you familiar with?[/b] [/list] I have used DR strings, Ernie Ball, Thomastik, Elites, Rotosound, Jim Dunlop, Overwater and D'Addario strings in the past.[list] [*][b]What bass(es) will you try the new strings on?[/b] [/list] I will definitely try them on my two main gigging basses, which are a 5 string active Jazz Bass, a passive Squier Precision 5 string. I may also try them on a Lakland 5502 Deluxe and 4 string Jazz bass, depending on the sound from the strings.[list] [*][b]What sort of environment will you be playing them in (e.g studio, gigging, practicing)[/b] [/list] I will primarily use them for live use with a large Soul band and also pop/dance band. The coating would seem to really thrive and work well in live applications. I will also have them on the basses I play and practice with on a daily basis. They may also get used for some recording work.[list] [*][b]Why do you think you'll be a good candidate to test the strings?[/b] [/list] I have been a gigging musician for 16 years, and started when I was 15 years old. I would like to think I have a good solid foundation to judge what makes for a good bass tone and have tried many brands of bass and strings over the years. I now play in two very different bands both requiring very different sounds from the instrument. I play in a 11 piece soul band which requires a classic P bass tone with the extended range of a B string to accommodate key changes. I also play in a 5 piece pop/dance band which requires a different playing approach and style to a large soul band, and I feel these two different areas would be a good challenge for the strings. I also play in very hot clubs and venues and seem to have very destructive sweat which can often leave some brand of string useless after 2 gigs, which can get very expensive![list] [*][b]Links to any blogs/reviews you may have already posted (not essential but interesting)[/b] [/list] I have been a long term member of basschat but only occasionally post, but I do like to pass on good service from shops, products I have been impressed with, or bands I have enjoyed. Here are a few links: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/215608-cut-the-funk-incredible/page__p__2192103__hl__cut%20the%20funk__fromsearch__1#entry2192103"]http://basschat.co.u..._1#entry2192103[/url] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/248027-dunlop-super-bright-strings/page__fromsearch__1"]http://basschat.co.u...__fromsearch__1[/url]

[quote name='PlungerModerno' timestamp='1433942426' post='2795303'] My 2c is the 5 string BEADG setup comes into it's own with alternate keys and tunings - although it's often less convenient in playing, not having to drop tune for one song - stuff like that is an excellent ability to have. Better than having to play the notes one octave up when they would sound much . . . well "bassier" lower down! Like I said, my 2c. or 2p - although 2p is worth a fair bit more than 2c (US cents or euro). [/quote] Everyone else has covered the main points and the comments above pretty much cover my reasons for a 5 String. I play in a Soul band and our singer has changed keys of some stuff (Stevie Wonder songs in particular) and the B string is incredibly handy. It is also very handy for playing across the neck rather than having to go down to the nut on the bass and I get a fretted low E which I love, as I never really like the sound of open strings. I love them and have just got used to having one, however I did completely abandon my 4 string to make sure I got used to playing a 5. I know of a few cases where people hang on to a 4 string in the beginning and keep moving back and forth and never adjust to a 5. Im not saying get rid of your 4 string but perhaps put it under the bed if you do get a 5 string and force yourself to do gigs and play the 5 string until your happy with it.

I was hunting around the old interwebs for a 5 string set of Elixirs yesterday and was struggling with the usual string suppliers as they only seemed to have Steels or the wrong gauge or they were a rediculous price. Then I remembered Bass Gear stocked them. I got on the phone to check they had what I wanted, spoke to a nice chap who checked for me and then quoted me the cheapest price I have seen the strings and free delivery, my lucky day! So I thought to myself well it's 2:30 now, and they will prob go by snail mail so I might have them mid week. They just turned up on my door (10:30) so I am beyond pleased. Nice people, bloody good service and an even better price, thanks Bass Gear, I know where I am going from now on.

I have owned: 2x American Standard Fenders P and J 1x Fender Japan Jazz Vintage Reissue 2x Overwaters - Progress III and Custom J 2x Musicman Stingrays - 4 and 5 string 2x Fender Roscoe beck V's 1x Squier Silver series Japan 1x Squier Classic Vibe Precision ......and the list goes on. MY POINT (Finally) is that I currently have a £120 Squier Delxue Active Jazz V and a £230 Squier Vintage Modified Precision V, and to be honest apart from a few very minor aesthetic things, I am incredibly happy with them. They sound as good as any other bass I have owned and after a few minutes tweaking actually play better than a lot of my old basses. The only thing I actually want and need sound wise is a Stingray but the P and J sounds are covered with the Squiers. Its actually quite liberating playing with a cheap bass and I get more comments on them than the guitars that cost over a grand. You also dont tend to worry about them at gigs, unlike my guitarist who has 3k worth of PRS he stresses about. Get a squier, go enjoy playing and use the extra cash for something else.

[quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1430064267' post='2757617'] so ... we've been trying to do taylor swift , style to be precise at first i was fingering but it just wasnt hitting the spot so i tried it with a pick and it began to click straight away so i went out and invested in a new item for my bassing arsenal ... a felt pick bloody marvellous it is [/quote] Im doing Taylor Swift too, Style and Shake it off. I haven't used a pic in years, always fingers but Style really needs a solid precise attack to get the groove right. It is a great tune and a little bit of advice, if like me you practice along to original recordings at home, try playing along to her doing Style on youtube at the Victoria Secret show, its bloody entertaining!!

I have given up worrying how a bass sounds to be honest. Strings/amp/room make a lot more difference to how my bass sound a lot of the time, and I know what a P, J, P-J, MM sound like, so the first thing I do in a shop is usually turn the amp right down so its hardly audible or I just unplug the bass straight away. I buy a bass because I like how it plays and how it feels to me. Some people think its rubbish but I like basses that are resonant acoustically, and feel 'alive'. I usually run through a few songs that I play in my bands, a bit of pop dance stuff or some old soul stuff. Last time I went to Wunjos I just played acoustically and then turned up and played a little bit of Heatwave and then some Cosmic Girl and that was me done.

I am not usually a cynical person but is this a way to get more basschat members 'on side' with the magazine. I used to subscribe to BGM and have so many issues at home in a box, but I found that Basschat, Talkbass, No Treble and Ibass Magazine have rendered it obselete and out of date before it goes to print. It is no criticism of the magazine directly, they just cant compete with the speed in which news travels on the internet which is a bit unfortunate. Surely feeding information from basschat into the magazine is just going to be duplicating information only they will publish it a month later when we have all moved on to new topics? If anyone discovers basschat through the articles, surely they will read the forum and from then on, will also have read everything a month before the article is published?

That was bloody brilliant, I love seeing behind the scenes of instrument makers. Phenomenal looking instruments, really impressive and that is about as hand made as you can get. Right how much are they......

I had one and it was an incredibly good cab, very solid and a lovely clean tone to it. If you are doing anything other than small gigs with PA support I would advise getting 2 of them as a compact rig as one alone at high volume will not give you earth shattering low end. I used mine for rehearsing with a 10 piece soul band with no PA support but that only had to fill a studio space. I will say again though, great cabs and well worth the money, and if you add in the EBS Reidmar head I doubt you will need anything else. I have heard the Hartke 112 cabs are good and of course there is TKS cabs and Aguilar do some lovely 112 cabs ( I run a pair of DB112 cabs and they are fantastic) but they are a good wedge more than the EBS cabs.

[quote name='bigjohn' timestamp='1425565707' post='2708665'] It's sat here, next to my desk... still lovely. [/quote] Amazing, glad you are still enjoying it. It was an amazing bass but my hands have never got used to J necks, especially after playing massive 5 string necks. I even struggle with a 50s P bass neck which is just crazy....

That is AMAZING! I had a MIJ jazz that was exactly the same, bound no blocks and that had lollipop tuners. Its a classy look! Just curious about the spec and ordering if you don't mind? I though anything out of the ordinary (binding no blocks, matching headstock) form the 'standard' custom shop models needed to be ordered through a master builder. If you can get small changes and additions made without going master built, I think I can safely say a Fender CS is my next aim!!

[quote name='ras52' timestamp='1424957484' post='2702306'] I think I'm on the slippery slope! I "accidentally" popped into Wunjo's today and tried one of these. Very impressed. I then tried the USA P5. (Also Warwick and Ibanez fret leases in the £6xx price range, but that's another story.) The USA felt better, but did it feel ~£900 better? Very tempted to swap something less loved from the herd and jump on the Squier! [/quote] You hit the nail on the head for me, I LOVE my P5 but I am under no illusions like some folk on the American bass forum that it will be as good/solid as a Sadowsky/Lull/MIA P5, but its only £240. For me it is an amazing piece of kit and beats a lot of stuff in the £600+ bracket playability wise. It was also my first step into the world of 5 string Precisions and now I think it is the way forward for me (although I think I need a bridge pickup too). I do really fancy a Lull PJ5 now, and that might be the goal eventually but for now I am going to proudly play the hell out of the Squier

I like the concept, the lights and plexi glass is a fun look and I think there is a market that would jump on it. My comments are: [list] [*]From my knowledge Plexi is pretty heavy, how does it compare to say birch ply that comapnies like EBS use. Weight is a key factor for a lot of people [*]Whilst I personally like the lights and think it looks brilliant, I think you will exlude a lot of players and narrow your market. I would never get away with using one in my bands, I play in Soul/Funk bands and it just wouldnt look 'right' for the band. [*]Would you consider offering something like a smokey grey semi transparent plexi which would satisfy some of us more conservative folk? [*]The angles speaker idea is nice, I think it would work well. Will they all be angled or will you offer a 12" flat front and then one angled so you could stack them and have one facing forward and one angled on top which would be closer to ear height? [/list] Good luck, as I said its nice concept.

I can understand some of the issues especially if there are children involved. If you are out a lot of nights and missing time at home because of a hobby then perhaps she has a point. In my case, my better half and I share a similar simple point of view when it comes to gigging and playing. If the jobs around the house get done and I either break even or make money playing which goes towards us as a couple normally, then there isn't a problem. The minute I don't make money playing is when I will probably pack it in anyway. I have no interest in going out to practice every week and doing crappy gigs for £20 down the local and sacrificing quality time with the missus. I bet if you put your gig money tone side and it paid towards a big chunk of a holiday for you and the kids, she might take a better view of you being out with the band.

I am still on the stock string until I get paid, they are ok and the B string is pretty good. Its not super defined and doesn't have bell like clarity, but then again I have never found P basses to have that kind of clarity anyway. Hopefully a set of Dunlop Super Brights will work their magic and make the B better but its perfectly ok for me. The feel of the neck is just superb, yes I could be picky and pick out some finishing flaws in the lacquer, but its only aesthetics, doesn't affect the playability.

The last I remember reading on Talkbass, Nino was using subcontractors to CNC his bodies and necks. This is not rare, Sadowsky use contractors to CNC necks and bodies, and as far as I know so do Lakland, and Mike Lull. I have read in the past that USA Custom Guitars make parts for a lot of people [url="http://www.usacustomguitars.com/"]http://www.usacustomguitars.com/[/url] There is a statement from Roger Sadowsky about the subcontractor 'issue' some people have. He chose not to invest in hand making bodies and a CNC machine was a big outlay, so he and I guess builders like Mike Lull concentrate on the high quality hand finishing, set-up and quality control. No bad thing in my opinion, as long as the woods are good who cares what monkey pushes the 'go' button on the CNC machine when you have someone like Valenti, Sadowsky or Lull doing the final detailing.

I wanted to be in a band when I was 15 because I thought I would get more attention from girls. I also thought that bass would be so easy after a very lame attempt at playing guitar. Turns out I was wrong on both counts.....

[quote name='jassbass' timestamp='1424189564' post='2693638'] Just ordered a squire vm p5 in white hope i like it [/quote] Good call, mine is white and it looks fantastic! We had some pics taken at the gig on Saturday night and it looked great under lights. The car looked good too, but white and tort is my favourite combo. I like mine so much I have been looking at the Jazz equivalent.