MoJoKe

[quote name='ped' timestamp='1486465084' post='3231972'] Here's what Elixir say: [color=#000000][font=sans-serif][size=2]Info from Elixir: Thank you for bringing it to our attention. We[/size][/font][font=sans-serif][size=1] are aware of the issue. Their new packaging is designed to make it significantly more difficult for someone to counterfeit our packaging. The counterfeit strings themselves offered here are invariable low quality uncoated strings. [/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=sans-serif][size=1]Please can Chris add this link to the Bass Chat thread or provide it to their community. Buyers have the ability to report sellers of counterfeit goods. They would be doing everyone in the e-Bay community a favor – and help other bass players not to fall for inferiour quality product. [/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Calibri, sans-serif][url="http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/replica-counterfeit.html"][font=sans-serif][size=2][color=blue]http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/replica-counterfeit.html[/color][/size][/font][/url] Many thanks[/font][/color] [/quote] I spoke to Andy Palmer and Mrs Elixir at the Birmingham Guitar show on Saturday. The guitar strings are already sporting sexy new packaging, and the Bass string packaging will be updated in the next couple of months. They are going to be in a slightly more substantial boxed packet, with the Elixir logo embossed in very high relief. In addition, the packs will be sealed with a holographic sticker which is destroyed when peeled or removed. While these changes are not going to prevent counterfeiting, it will certainly make it MUCH harder and more expensive to do, hopefully reducing the financial gain to the point that these gits will no longer bother because it isn't worth their while...

Yes, odd comment! My satnav had no problem at all! Maybe see you later!

I'm up here with DV Mark and Markbass... definitely mostly guitars, a surprising amount of bass stuff if you can't make it to LBGS next week... http://www.theguitarshow.co.uk/

Oh, and a shed load of brand new gear to see! (The new Alain Caron K1 combo is absolutely the dogs b's if you want a modern, HiFi or slap sound. Its enormous for such a small package!)

[quote name='DangerDan' timestamp='1482243780' post='3198765'] I've never been to an event like this, so excuse me if it's a silly question, but, would basses be likely to come at a discount at something like this, or do people try stuff out and then just order it online cheaper when they get home? [/quote] I am working with MSL again this year on the Markbass stand. There are going to be some VERY interesting "Show Days Only" offers (you'll be totally wasting your time trying to search for bettor pricing online!) made available by the various shops there who are MB dealers, so if you are considering Markbass or want to add to your rig, come and see us. ... be good to meet up even if you are not shopping for amps though!!

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1487437758' post='3239831'] [b][i]Would she like to know how many meals to prepare beforehand? Place orders for lunch in advance?[/i][/b] [/quote] Great effort! food for me too pretty please!! Can we bring a contribution?

You little beauties! This is just 28 minutes from my house! Count me in, I'll definitely be there! My hands work properly now!!! I am now working more regularly/closely with MSL, so if anyone has any particular requests for anything Markbass (or dare I suggest DV Mark too?), I can arrange to bring demo stuff. We'll be showing off most of the new products at LBGS, including the Ninja 102-250 combo, the K1 combo (which will excite everyone who does a bit of slapping or uses a 2 or 4x10... it is SO HiFi and bright, and the single cab is louder than my two TRV cabs together), the new EVO dual channel head and a couple of new cabs. Let me know what you'd particularly like to see, and I'll bring what I can!

no, on the Somerset border between Honiton and Ilminster!

KMI Softstep or 12 step midi pedals. Awesomely programmable foot pedals once you work them out. Very flexible, can be used as bass pedals, trigger samples or midi controller. I use my Softstep for pretty much all of these things, one way or another... I'm in the top of Devon if you want to meet and have a play with it...

I'll be there as usual, doin' my thing on the Markbass stand. Looking forward to meeting some of the gang...!

[quote name='ped' timestamp='1485542578' post='3224856'] Good idea, I've just sent them an email so will let you know if anything materialises. [/quote] Great, and perhaps if everyone who sees them at LBGS says the same, they'll take the hint! I certainly will!

[quote name='LayDownThaFunk' timestamp='1485454579' post='3224115'] Elixirs just feel like plastic to me. [/quote] Personal preference! We all have one, its a free world (for the time being, until Twittler shuts us all down!). They are both good quality strings and they both have fans and critics! [quote name='mybass' timestamp='1485456795' post='3224134'] D'Addario have a number stamp on each pack that can be cross referenced on their website, ( under the 'play real' tab at the bottom of the page). I use this now as I had a dodgy set some years ago, half volume output no attack, I thought something was odd with the pickups for a while. Do Elixer have is system? [/quote] No, they don't, and they should have. Good point. Ped, have a chat with your buddies!!

[quote name='LayDownThaFunk' timestamp='1485044290' post='3220753'] Just buy D'Addario EXPs? Better string in every aspect? [/quote] [quote name='ped' timestamp='1485045352' post='3220759'] Tried, didn't like [/quote] Ditto . I recently borrowed a Lakland DJ5 for a long weekend of gigs, which was strung with EXPs, for evaluation of both bass and strings. The bass was lovely, light and easy to play, will definitely buy one when finances allow. The strings, on the other hand, I will not be using again (though my guitars both have D'Addario NYXLs), but I felt after sticking so long to one brand, I ought to see what else was about. While coated, they have little in common with Elixirs, in terms of feel or tone. For the same gauge they do feel slightly lighter, softer and bendy, which is good, but they don't give you that same slippy fluid feel you get from Elixirs, and the tone is much darker, with none of the brightness you get with Elixirs.

Funnily enough, seller two has unquestioningly refunded me in full, but asked me to not leave bad feedback as he is not a bass player and bought them in good faith. Yeh right.

Funnily enough, seller two has unquestioningly refunded me in full, but asked me to not leave bad feedback as he is not a bass player and bought them in good faith. Yeh right.

[quote name='ped' timestamp='1484940361' post='3219941'] It's just not worth the risk. Only buy from an official shop. I get mine direct from Elixir because we're friends Love the strings [/quote] I've never been able to get mine direct... I used to get teeshirts at the LBGS because we were friends, but for the last couple of years even they have dried up! I'm obviously doing something very wrong! I've been using them since they first came to the UK, I wouldn't use anything else on any of my basses (even my fretless basses have them), but they are just so bloody expensive and I am utterly broke at the moment. I thought it'd be worth the risk but I was proved wrong....

OK, I have just bought fakes too...... Twice. I've used Elixir on all my basses for many years now, so know what I'm dealing with. These are definitely not genuine The first set were obvious, wrapped wrongly, badly snipped at the ends. Republic of Ireland. He refunded me and didn't want the strings back. probably not even good enough to use for anything, let alone bass strings... Seller was http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/332034457296?_trksid=p2057872.m2748.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT The second set arrived this morning. Different seller, much more authentic packaging, the strings had a pretty much identical construction to the genuine ones, but they are definitely not coated. I have strung them on a 5 string Jazz, along with a known genuine .130tw, and the feel is totally different, as it is to the feel of my newly strung Lakland 55-02. They are not as slippy, soft or flexible as the real thing, and definitely have no coatings. Seller is: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/172466904547?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT and he still has 6 sets for sale. Avoid both like the plague....