Faithless Posted January 1, 2010 Author Share Posted January 1, 2010 [quote name='Bloodaxe' post='698126' date='Jan 1 2010, 07:14 PM']Greetings, Had a look on EBay & all that came up were [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RotoSound-TRU-BASS-88-Black-Nylon-Flatwound-5-Strings_W0QQitemZ390136297119QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Guitar_Accessories?hash=item5ad5ef769f"]these[/url] which are 1) for a low B, and 2) very expensive. I'd caution against using a G string as a subsitute high C - I tried it on an Aria "Magna" 5-string & the neck didn't like it one bit, thankfully the twist went away when I put it back to normal tuning. All I can suggest is to get a high-C set of roundwounds (or a 6-string set) & crack on with it. You will get "tramlining", but that's just part of the process - after all frets wear down too, don't they? Pete.[/quote] What's wrong with substitution? I thought, I'd be bad, if I tried using G as a substitute for D, for example (4th lower, i mean), as its well, too thin string, but, now, I'd use 0.60mm string for C.. And, how did your neck actually react? BTW, I won't put rounds on fretless, as I wouldn't like to 'wear' fretboard, also, I could get a 6string set of flats, but, flats are flats.. Hey, what if I'd use a flatwound C string, would her sound differ so much from nylon one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodaxe Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 [quote name='Faithless' post='698314' date='Jan 1 2010, 07:54 PM']What's wrong with substitution? I thought, I'd be bad, if I tried using G as a substitute for D, for example (4th lower, i mean), as its well, too thin string, but, now, I'd use 0.60mm string for C..[/quote] If you used a G for a D, it'd most likely be very flappy & rubbery as you'd expect. If you tune a G up to C you're putting a huge amount of tension on it which could break it, or more likely... [quote name='Faithless' post='698314' date='Jan 1 2010, 07:54 PM']And, how did your neck actually react?[/quote] ... twist it. I looked down the 'board from the headstock & could see a horrific twist towards the C - quickest retune I've ever done! That bass didn't like high C at all - I bought a 6-string set & put the top 5 on, & there was still a noticeable (but slight) twist. Low B, no problem. Not all necks can handle a high C. [quote name='Faithless' post='698314' date='Jan 1 2010, 07:54 PM']BTW, I won't put rounds on fretless, as I wouldn't like to 'wear' fretboard, also, I could get a 6string set of flats, but, flats are flats..[/quote] It'll wear no matter what, it's just a question of time. Nylons are going to be the kindest to the board though. Plenty of players use flats on fretless. I'm using Pressure wound strings at the moment, but think rounds give a better tone *for me*. [quote name='Faithless' post='698314' date='Jan 1 2010, 07:54 PM']Hey, what if I'd use a flatwound C string, would her sound differ so much from nylon one?[/quote] Only one way to find out! & if it sounds different and you like it, all you need is a set of standard flats. Pete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithless Posted January 1, 2010 Author Share Posted January 1, 2010 (edited) I was thinking of taking flatwound C string and put some sort of nylon [i]coating [/i]on it, as I would like it sound as much similar as other 4 (nylon) strings.. Any possibilities here? I'm not much of craftsman, mind you.. Edited January 1, 2010 by Faithless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodaxe Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 [quote name='Faithless' post='698467' date='Jan 1 2010, 11:33 PM']I was thinking of taking flatwound C string and put some sort of nylon [i]coating [/i]on it, as I would like it sound as much similar as other 4 (nylon) strings.. Any possibilities here? I'm not much of craftsman, mind you.. [/quote] No idea. Sorry. Dipping in Acrylic Varnish? Can't see how you'd keep the gauge consistent [i]and[/i] get a thick enough coat on to make any difference tbh. What have you got on your EUB? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithless Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share Posted January 2, 2010 Eh, you must be right there.. I've got flats put on my EUB.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrcrow Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 stringing E to C without tension on the truss rod...the neck should be happy then start afresh with the tension from my limited time with a fretless i found a high action was better so didnt really have bow to consider too much..one way or the other good luck... i think lined fretless is the way to go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithless Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share Posted January 2, 2010 [quote name='mrcrow' post='698854' date='Jan 2 2010, 07:14 PM']stringing E to C without tension on the truss rod...the neck should be happy then start afresh with the tension[/quote] erm... Couldn't clearly get your mind.. Could you explain a bit more? And, yep, my fretless is lined - absolute beauty, I'll give some pics later on, you'll see But, I'm in doubt about the 'G string as C' thing.. There's some [i]more [/i]tension, but I doubt if it's too much... Is there a big chance, that I could break my bass neck, guys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodaxe Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 [quote name='Faithless' post='698929' date='Jan 2 2010, 06:13 PM']But, I'm in doubt about the 'G string as C' thing.. There's some [i]more [/i]tension, but I doubt if it's too much... Is there a big chance, that I could break my bass neck, guys?[/quote] No. Not a big chance, to break a neck would (usually) require a stupid amount of force. Try it, but then look down the neck from the headstock end & up from the brdidge and if you see a twist STOP & detune - see if you can find a very light G (a standard G is .045", a C is usually around .025"). A lot depends on how the neck is made. If it's "plain sawn" it'll tend to act like a leaf spring & be less twist-resistant. If it's "quarter sawn" and/or laminated it'll naturally resist twisting. One Elmore James tune (in D) I have to do in a dep band requires that I tune my G string up a tone to A to give an open 5th chord. This allows me to do some low-key bottleneck-style rhythm slides under the guitar solos (coz the guitarist doesn't play slide). [i]I'd[/i] feel really uncomfortable about tuning it any higher. Pete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithless Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share Posted January 2, 2010 Thanks, mate, that's very helpful I'm not sure, if I'll find such light nylon G string, so, I'm thinking of asking Newtone or whatever to make a custom nylon C for me. Any chance, somebody could tell approximate cost of this? BTW, I've google'd other nylon strings, and found this..: [url="http://www.uptonbass.com/Thomastik-Infeld-Acousticore-AB346/"]http://www.uptonbass.com/Thomastik-Infeld-Acousticore-AB346/[/url] But, I'm not sure, if these strings are ok for magnetic pickups. Anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodaxe Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 [quote name='Faithless' post='699193' date='Jan 2 2010, 11:46 PM']Thanks, mate, that's very helpful I'm not sure, if I'll find such light nylon G string, so, I'm thinking of asking Newtone or whatever to make a custom nylon C for me. Any chance, somebody could tell approximate cost of this? BTW, I've google'd other nylon strings, and found this..: [url="http://www.uptonbass.com/Thomastik-Infeld-Acousticore-AB346/"]http://www.uptonbass.com/Thomastik-Infeld-Acousticore-AB346/[/url] But, I'm not sure, if these strings are ok for magnetic pickups. Anyone?[/quote] Can't help on Customs I'm afraid (although I recall Dood had something done a long while back - try pm-ing him). I suspect the Thomastiks would work, but you'd get a very much lower output as there's no steel in them. Also beware that they're roundwounds (bronze windings on a nylon core). Pete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithless Posted January 8, 2010 Author Share Posted January 8, 2010 C string problem solved for a while - I've just put a roundwound C, it's sounds practically the same.. Only the looks doesn't do the trick for me: 4 black + 1 bright strings.. We've tried bass sound capabilities with my tutor, and came to conclusion, that pickups let the whole thing down (cheap bass, stock pickups..) I'm after Jazz bass pickups for 5 string bass.. Not anything expensive/fancy. Any suggestions on this? Cheers Faith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 I don't know if this is true or not but a friend of mine recently told me that a lot of fretless basses have the pick ups set very low, far bellow the strings "flush with the body" My bass has a piezo bridge pick up so I can't be sure. Might be worth a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodaxe Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 [quote name='Faithless' post='705992' date='Jan 8 2010, 08:27 PM']We've tried bass sound capabilities with my tutor, and came to conclusion, that pickups let the whole thing down (cheap bass, stock pickups..) I'm after Jazz bass pickups for 5 string bass.. Not anything expensive/fancy. Any suggestions on this? Cheers Faith[/quote] I can't assist with pickup suggestions I'm afraid - outside my experience. What would help greatly is an idea of what sort of tone you're after - maybe have a trawl around YouTube & post some links. Pete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithless Posted January 9, 2010 Author Share Posted January 9, 2010 (edited) Tone? ^_^ But, I'm afraid, it's in his hands.. Problem is, I struggle to find any info on his bass specs (this is 4 string Pensa, all I know..) Edited January 9, 2010 by Faithless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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