mr zed

My daugher bought me one of these for my birthday a couple of years ago. Keyboard player said she didn't realise there was a Mr Bassist [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bassist%60-hobbies-occupations-perfect-guitar/dp/B00FS5YFGC"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bassist%60-hobbies-occupations-perfect-guitar/dp/B00FS5YFGC[/url] This is allowed because it was a present and it could have been socks!

Heaton - the posh part next to Smithills overlooking Doffcocker Lodge! Used to live on Conway Ave in Smithills.

Congratulations - the recent Fenders are fantastic. The custom shop pups are punchy and have a great tone. You've scored a very nice bass there.

Just out of interest - why do you ask? Is this for a potential purchase?

The guy that invented predictive text has passed away. His funfair is on Monkey.

[quote name='ubit' timestamp='1454403162' post='2969293'] Blackstone cherry, shinedown and hale storm last night at the Hydro in Glasgow. Good night but BSC could have had a better sound. I do prefer smaller intimate venues. [/quote] Went to see them last night in Manchester. Halestorm were good - didn't know any of their material but enjoyed what they played and the sound was great. Next up Shinedown who we were there to see. Didn't disappoint. Again, the sound was top notch. Only issue was they were not on for anywhere near long enough. Very professional and got the whole crowd up. Last, BSC. Pretty mediocre I thought. Volume went up slightly and quality reduced especially the vocals. Having said that, Lizzie Hale joined them for one song and her vocals sounded crisp and clear. Overall thoughts of the night - the wrong band were headlining.

Let me be the first to recommend Bergantino HD 1x12's. You can thank me later. What amp are you going for?

Saw them 45 hundred times - well lots in the late 70's and early 80's. Fantastic live band then. They played their final gig in 1986 and that was it for me. Then they reformed and it just wasn't the same. Very fond memories of those gigs but for me they returned as a shadow of their former self. The Lancaster/Coughlan partnership was the driving force.

All this talk of downsizing is just weird. I want more stuff. Next on the list is an eub then a real db. Buy more, keep this place alive.

One of my biggest regrets was selling my 5pii. Amazing bass. The p series tend to go for more than the none piezo versions. They are totally different basses. Some prefer the older basses, some prefer the pii's. Never played the older basses so can't offer any help. The 5pii was heavy (or had a solid feel depending on how this is approached) but I was younger and had a wide strap.I never had an issue. Having said that, I don't have an issue with heavy basses now and they can add to the tone....oops can of worms opened. Build quality was sublime.

I have read 'My Bass and Other Animals' and really enjoyed it. Loaned it from the library so can't be much help I'm afraid.

Well I know this thread is about who we're seeing next but went to see Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock last night and felt I had to tell someone - one of the best gigs I've ever been to, and I've been to quite a few. They were on at the Academy 2 in Manchester so a small venue. Sound quality and mix were probably the best I've ever heard from any band anywhere. Played some UFO, Scorpions and MSG classics as well as some new material. Very, very impressed. Sorry for the thread derail. Next gig - Carnival of Madness in Manchester on the 6th Feb. Really looking forward to seeing Shinedown. The best current rock band out there at the moment IMHO.

That Stingray HH has induced a serious amount of GAS for me and I already own one - not in white though. I could get into serious trouble.......!

Michael Schenker tomorrow Black Stone Cherry, Shinedown, Halestowm a week on Saturday ELO in April

[quote name='Mattpt85' timestamp='1453743379' post='2962365'] [/quote] The Overs? Great name for a band. Are you playing in a cricket club?

I understand your pain. I have put my most expensive bass up for sale a couple of times when I needed the cash (usually for a gas induced purchase) but withdrew it on both occasions. Glad I did as I'd really miss it if it went. Always found another way. In fact I sold a fantastic 2012 American Standard Jazz to part fund a Stingray HH. Missed the Jazz and managed to buy it back whilst keeping hold of the Stingray. Wouldn't have been the end of the world if the Jazz wasn't available as they are in plentiful supply but you'll struggle to get the Telecaster replaced with an equivalent. Sorry, I'm not helping here am I? Just be 100% sure that it's the right thing to do for you.

[size=4][font=Calibri][color=#000000]I received a 4 string set to test and decided to put them on my EBMM Stingray HH. I wanted to get a comparison between the test set and the Ernie Ball Slinky Nickel’s that I have always used on this bass. The reason I have always used the Slinky’s is that these were the strings that EBMM fitted to the bass and they just work for me – sounded great from day one. I was however curious to see what difference another manufacturer’s strings would make (if any) and would I prefer something else or be hankering to get back to the Slinky’s? The D’addario NYXL’s are Nickel 45-100’s as are the Slinky’s (the ones in the pink packaging) so materials of construction and sizes are the same – ideal for a comparison.[/color][/font][/size] [URL=http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/zedsled/media/Stingray/P1190002_zpsk6qcvic3.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b560/zedsled/Stingray/P1190002_zpsk6qcvic3.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [size=4][font=Calibri][color=#000000]Before fitting the strings I immediately noticed how tight the wrap was on the core. These are very smooth to the touch. I suspect that these strings will keep their tone for a long time as there is less of a gap between the wrap for grease and grime from the fingertips to accumulate. They look closer to flats than rounds in this respect. The quality of the strings is evident and another plus for me is that there are no silks which I personally do not like. So, first impressions are good.[/color][/font][/size] [URL=http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/zedsled/media/Stingray/P1190004_zpst0eu24bk.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b560/zedsled/Stingray/P1190004_zpst0eu24bk.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [size=4][font=Calibri][color=#000000]Once installed and tuned to EADG (hey, I’m a traditionalist), I gave them a tug and got them back to pitch. I played for a while acoustically then checked the tuning again. They were still in tune and stable. Initial thoughts were that they weren’t as bright as I have come to expect from a fresh set of strings and again the smoothness to the touch was obvious. There was very little finger or fret noise and sliding across the frets was a pleasure – you could hear clearly defined notes rather than the metal-on-metal sound which you can sometimes get. I tried fingerstyle and played with a pick and both styles sounded great. I gave them a quick slap (just to see how they sounded as I don’t usually play in this style (traditionalist remember)) and they didn’t seem to have the same level of transient attack that I have experienced with other strings – the brightness just wasn’t there.[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=Calibri][color=#000000]I then plugged in to my home practice amp (Roland Cube 20XL) and played for a while at low volume. Initial thoughts were that they sounded like a set of strings that have been played-in – not worn but just at that sweet-spot that you get when any initial brightness (brittleness?) has disappeared following a few hours playing. That was Tuesday evening, on Wednesday evening I had a rehearsal with the band (5 piece female fronted pop/rock band). This was the opportunity to try them at volume and in the mix.[/color][/font][/size] [URL=http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/zedsled/media/Stingray/P1190003_zpseatcjer4.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b560/zedsled/Stingray/P1190003_zpseatcjer4.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [size=4][font=Calibri][color=#000000]I was a little surprised at how much I needed to increase the volume of the amp from its usual setting to get the bass to sit right in the mix. The gain and output volume levels are both usually around 10 o’clock however I increased both of these to 12 o’clock to obtain the same perceived volume that I usually play at in this environment (same people, same room, same equipment). The settings on the bass were the same as I always use (volume full on, treble set in the middle, mids & bass increased from the middle setting slightly). I was using the inner coils which is my preferred setting for the majority of time I play on this bass. EQ on the amp was flat (as I always have it). The difference in tone was very perceivable which I was surprised at (maybe it’s not all in the fingers after all). I had a choice to make. Do I try to tweak the eq to chase the sound I am used to hearing (and know and love) or do I leave it as it is and accept that these are different strings (and I was looking to try something different anyway) so just roll with it. I decided to change nothing and carry on.[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=Calibri][color=#000000]For maybe the first half hour or so, I was focussed on my tone which was very pleasant (warm, full and round) but different (I’m used at a more middy, aggressive tone). However the difference was soon forgotten as we began working on new material. By the end of the night, I had forgotten all about the differences as you get used to what you’ve got. No-one else in the room noticed any difference whatsoever which maybe isn’t too surprising . Getting back to the strings again, the tension is good (nothing was ‘floppy’) and the sound was even across all 4 strings.[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=Calibri][color=#000000]Do I like them? Yes, they are a good quality string, made of Nickel (which is my preferred choice) and they are my preferred size. Do I prefer them to the Slinky’s………I don’t know yet. I will need to give them some time and forget about the differences between the strings to reach an unbiased opinion. I will keep these strings on until they are dead (which will give me plenty of time to adapt to the tonal differences). It will also give a good measure as to how long they last.[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=Calibri][color=#000000]In conclusion, I am so used to hearing ‘my sound’ that any difference to me is perceptible. I have read that strings can make a huge difference but my previous experiences with other basses (Fender Jazz, Fender Precision, Musicman Stingray, Yamaha TRB5Pii, Fender Jazz deluxe, EBMM 25[/color][sup][color=#000000]TH[/color][/sup][color=#000000] Anniversary HSS) and string manufacturers (Elites, Slinky’s, Rotosound, Fender – inc nickel & stainless steel) have made less of a difference than what I have just experienced with this particular bass, with these particular strings in this particular environment. Very thought provoking![/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=Calibri][color=#000000]I particularly like the smoothness, the tension, the feel and the evenness between the strings. I also really like the tone. They also stayed in tune all night.[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=Calibri][color=#000000]These strings would suit a player that is looking for a great tone that is achieved immediately they are fitted (they don’t need ‘playing-in’ to remove any brittleness). I also suspect that they could appeal to those who enjoy some of the benefits of flats (with the tight wrap) but the tone of rounds.[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=Calibri][color=#000000]Thank you for giving me the opportunity to try these strings out. Further updates to come as and when anything worth reporting back occurs.[/color][/font][/size]

I like the box The anticiption of what's inside is almost as good as what is actually inside - just like a fine looking lady in her underwear Lovely looking bass BTW

Received mine on Saturday but didn't want to put them on my Stingray immediately as I had a gig that night. From what others have said so far, I needn't have worried about them staying in tune or being too bright. Will be putting them on this evening then a full band rehearsal tomorrow night so I'll report back then.

And another - Dale Griffin, drummer with Mott the Hoople has died today. Blimey! So many recently. Sad news.

Looks awesome - I'd love to do something like this. Looking forward to seeing this unfold.

I went to one last year in Bolton called 'Boltfest'. Not a lot happens in Bolton so it was well attended. The facilities were good with plenty of portaloos which were cleaned regularly, beer stands, sweets & cakes (for the kids and wives) and a playground (for the kids and wives). The main stage were tribute bands but they also had a large marquee where local original (and covers) bands were playing. You had to get tickets from T*cketmaster which were free - you just pay the booking fee which I think was around £2.50 or so. The whole event site was policed by errrr.... the Police and private security. Overall, I was extremely impressed with the organisation of the whole event. The PA was good. Lovely afternoon spent in the sun, drank beer and listened to some great music performed by some excellent musicians. By 7:00pm I was pissed and struggling with the tribute bands dressing up to look like their heroes (which I can personally do without) so I went home. Will I go again this year - possibly if a few mates are going but if their not, then I won't. I prefer covers bands who put their own take on things, not tribute bands who are good impersonators (the Mike Yarwoods of the music world). But that's just me, I know a lot of people who really enjoy them so who am I to judge.

I would love to try a 4 string set on my Stingray HH. Always used Slinkys (as that is what Ernie Ball intended the bass to be used with) and it sounds great but I've been thinking about giving something else a try. Would be good to get a comparison.