Cat Burrito

Clawing back a small victory for bass players

I suppose when I only used flatwounds (& the philosophy was they never got changed) it bothered me less, but now I'm using roundwound a lot more I'm needing to change strings much more regularly. It got me to thinking about the difference in cost between guitar & bass strings. For nearly 30 years guitar strings seemed set at £5 a packet and yet bass strings seem to range anywhere between £16 - £45. I get that they are thicker and maybe don't get changed as frequently but wondered if the increase in cost was directly proportionate to these factors? Interestingly, as an aside I am restringing my upright bass this week. Again same factors but my strings were £100 and the most expensive set I saw were these at £550 https://www.thomann.de/gb/pirastro_eudoxa_kontrabasssaiten.htm - I assume they must be pretty good?!?

Not only yes, but I did! My last album (critically acclaimed in Q, Mojo etc) was recorded on two Squire basses. I also took the Squiers out on the road and played London's O2 with them. Twice.

On the off chance anyone is interested, I went for a fresh set of the Gut-a-like Swingmasters in the end. https://www.thomann.de/gb/gut_a_like_swingmaster.htm I was tempted with a single string replacement, also with the silver slappers and thought there was some great advice on here. Thanks everybody.

My wife works in a Pre-School and because she is very musical a decision was made that she learn ukulele. Her setting bought her a rubbish one and we've both been messing around on it. One night when the kids were in bed we sank a few Staropramens and she said she'd like a better one. Then completely unprompted she said "and you should get a bass one". Now, I don't know about anyone on here but I don't need a big arm twist to get a new bass so we ordered a couple. Mine's just a £125 cheapy (funnily enough I'd seen it in my local music shop for £250 so no Kala U-bass but I am blown away with the sound, especially plugged in. The E rattles a little unplugged if I pluck it too hard and a couple of the frets stick out a bit (I suspect lemon oil will resolve this) but other than that it really is an incredible bit of kit. I'm going to have to use it on something but I don't know what yet.

I haven't got nervous since my Sixth Form band back in '89 - '90, which upon reflection we had every right to be nervous - we were shocking! These days I'm very relaxed about things.

Before I read this thread I would have said Semi-pro, simply because a lot of the gigs I do are of a high standard, sold out art centres, tours, professionally recorded albums on an Indie label etc that get good reviews in the National press. Financially though, like with a few of you, it goes back into the band and I make a tiny amount on just a handful of shows. Players in all but one of my acts are either pro or ex-pro. I don't see myself as a hobbyist or weekend warrior simply because it's such a huge part of my life and a massive commitment.

I hate being asked & feel obliged to help a mate out. It then becomes an expectation & often without a thank you. I've personally not had anything damaged or not returned but the faff of carting extra kit for someone who just expects it has occurred in a few bands recently and is now a situation I try to avoid.

£6k in basses, £2k in amplification, £500 in pedals / leads / straps. I'm comfortable with that. I'm less comfortable adding it up over time.

Thanks to everyone who has taken time to comment. To be clear, my only thought throughout has been I would personally always avoid steel. So any other suggestion, be it swapping a single string through to trying a new set, has potential.

Currently these https://www.thomann.de/gb/gutalike_vintage_double_bass_strings.htm Silver slaps I know of so that's interesting.

As a bass guitarist who has occasionally dipped a toe in the double bass waters over the last 10yrs I seem to have settled on gut-a-like strings because they suit the styles I play. One thing I have often heard is the E string is pretty dead sounding but I wonder if there is a brand where the E doesn't sound quite so flat. My current strings have been on my bass for a few years but I go through phases of playing it so I thought the E would last longer. Should I just bite the bullet and acknowledge I should be re-stringing more frequently or is there a good set that might fair a little longer?

Posted on Wednesday and just two potential sales. Ampeg will be delighted, assuming they get to seal the deal

I remember those. I was tempted at the time but they just didn't look quite right & the 32" scale put me off.

It's a poor effort on their part. I always try to rise above it and not get a bad reputation but I'd feel a little aggrieved privately. I appreciate some people would give it to them both barrels but I would rather have an untarnished reputation personally.

I never used to use effects until I discovered the Sansamp VT Tech 21. I now have a few that I use and my is VT pedal is usually left it on all the time. Very occasionally in a couple of venues it sounded better without it, I guess it depends on the room. Normally it improved my tone immensely. I also used it in the studio as a whole rig. Definitely easier getting it up the stairs than my Ampeg Portaflex all valve job!

The Liquifier sounds like it has huge potential as a future purchase for me. The Opto Comp looks pretty cool too. Has anyone tried one yet? Or have any interest? Or know when they hit the shops here?

Kevin, I hope you don't mind but I just edited the title as the word plectrum was missing a "T" in the title. I'm not trying to make an issue of it, it's just it is showing as me having edited it and I wanted you to know that it was nothing more sinister than a missing letter re-added. First time I've done it, next time I'll add the reason so as not to draw attention to it. Move along people, nothing to see here!

My Upright bass was the longest, about 8 days but they did a set up too. The smaller items tend to be a few days and never more than a week.

Does it come with a Sony Walkman and will I get it in my Mini Metro?

I love my 50s P-bass (mine's Japanese though but I love the look of those lacquered ones). I've found the worst thing about buying online is often something that can be fixed with a decent set up and even then it usually doesn't even come to that. I like the look of the 50s bass in black

It does and I flight cased mine! It looks and sounds great but perhaps not my finest decision.

The Ampeg Portaflex stuff is great. People still bring up the initial run of the PF500 heads going wrong (which was corrected years ago) but this was never even an issue with anything else from this range. I still have an old PF500 as my backup head. I'd looked at the PF800 as my upgrade but opted for the PF50T when that was released because 1) I liked the all tube nature of it and 2) the aesthetics of it appealed. To be fair most stuff these days is pretty good but if you like the Ampeg PF range, I kinda think your mind is made up.

Packs of the CR2032 batteries are also cheap as chips on Amazon and EBay. Not sure why Tesco can't do better here.