Smith-faced Rockmasters

VroomVroom · #1 10-02-2010, 04:28 PM

Ok, so excuse the homage to South Park, but I can't help giggling at my little play on words....

In the constant search for TONE, I've been experimenting again with strings. Recently I've been using Cleartones, and I really like 'em...but I missed that bit of sizzle. The bass - my sixer - has plenty of fatness, warmthth, and smoothness across the board...so there's no need to emphasize that character...which is pretty much exactly what the Cleartones offer. So...last week I put on a set of DR Sunbeams. I LOVE 'em on many of my other basses, but on the Roscoe, for whatever reason, they're not happening. The tension is too light (odd, since on other 35" basses they're fine) and there's a nasal quality to the mids that just isn't happy. On the advice of my local guru, yesterday I got a set of Ken Smith Rockmasters. And...

Yum. So far, so good. No gigs yet, but they totally pass the living room test. Big, full, and with a nice sizzle and grind. No taper on any of the strings, so intonation is easy and Gard-friendly.

They're bright, but not too bright...the tension feels just right (very similar to the D'Adds). We'll see if they pass the durability test, and of course how they sound in a live mix, but I'm optimistic. Thought I'd pass this along for anyone looking to try something different.

masonsjax · #2 10-02-2010, 05:23 PM

I have nickel DRs (forget which) on my Roscoe right now and I'm not thrilled with the tension. The feel a little too bouncy to me. I normally play SIT nickel wound or rock brights, which are both great. Regular SIT are slightly too short though so I had to order a few sets in a longer scale. Now I'm just waiting for the DRs to die a little more so I can swap em.

RocketMusic · #3 10-03-2010, 08:53 AM

Are the Rockmasters stainless steel? I forget, even though I used to play them 15+ years ago. When I bought my old beloved Alembic, Chuck Levin's put a set of those on as I walked out with my new bass. I stuck with 'em for a long time just 'cause. I eventually switched to DR Lo-Riders (which were more readily available locally), then to my current favs (SIT Rock Brights Nickel) for feel reasons.

I actually carry the Smith strings for sentimental reasons, but it's been a long time since I gave them a shot. I might next time I change strings, just for grins.

I take it scale length is not an issue? You didn't have to buy special long ones?

Thanks for the info, Jerry!

VroomVroom · #4 10-04-2010, 09:22 AM

Good questions, Greg...

They are stainless, but like their taper-core offerings, are surprisingly smooth feeling. Personally, by touch alone, if you told me they were nickel, I'd believe you. Fitment on Roscoes is not an issue - plenty of room, actually. Gauges are traditional, which is another plus in my book...Smith's taper cores are a little weird in that department.

Speaking of which, there are some options....

http://www.kensmithbasses.com/String...teelmulti.html

...I'm running the RMM-5T set, with an add-on .028 'C'....the only one my shop had in-stock. If I stick with these, I'll go with the RMM-6T set next time. (Although I have to say, the .028 feels and sounds fine...I expected it to be thin and twangy, but it's neither.)

Final bonus - these are very reasonably priced. Not something you generally associate with the brand.

masonsjax · #5 10-04-2010, 09:31 AM

I'll might give a set of these a try in the future. I'm very open minded to string changes ever since I first ventured beyond the GHS Bass Boomers my daddy always bought. Before then I thought all strings felt like sandpaper. I'm really happy with everything about SIT strings, especially the price (My cousin is a distributor so I get them at his cost, although even retail is a great value), but I wouldn't have found them without experimentation.

PlanetEarth · #6 10-05-2010, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

They are stainless, but like their taper-core offerings, are surprisingly smooth feeling. Personally, by touch alone, if you told me they were nickel, I'd believe you.

I seem to have a recollection that KS strings are re-branded LaBella's - Then reading your post I was reminded of a LaBella design that uses a full steel core, stainless steel underlay, then a nickel outer wrap hybrid. Hrmmmm

-PE

VroomVroom · #7 10-11-2010, 06:56 AM

Quick update...gigged these for the first time yesterday. I really like the sound, and the playability is great. I'll definitely be buying another set or two.

**Bipslapper** · #8 10-11-2010, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

No taper on any of the strings, so intonation is easy and Gard-friendly.

Jerry, I believe I used these strings years ago before I switched to DR Hi-beams. What do you mean by the line "no taper on any of the strings so intonation is easy, Gard friendly"

Not sure I see the relationship between taper and intonation.

Enlighten me please!

VroomVroom · #9 10-11-2010, 07:23 AM

What gets Gard's panties in a bunch tighter than the Arizona Cardinals?

Tapered strings.

A taper at the bridge end of the string forces you to move the saddle forward quite a bit for intonation. With some 'B' strings (cough, MTD, cough) you can actually max out the travel before the string comes in tune.

**Bipslapper** · #10 10-11-2010, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

What gets Gard's panties in a bunch tighter than the Arizona Cardinals?

Tapered strings.

A taper at the bridge end of the string forces you to move the saddle forward quite a bit for intonation. With some 'B' strings (cough, MTD, cough) you can actually max out the travel before the string comes in tune.

Gotcha! Like the Dean Markley's that were on my used LG. I never encounter those when I stick to the same brands: DR, SIT, D'ads. Totally understand now, I was thinking you meant the taper by the nut, where the string gets thinner to the peg.

Not sure you want to bring up the AZ Cards to old Gard, he might open a can of Wup A$$ on all of us!

LilRay · #11 10-12-2010, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bipslapper

Not sure you want to bring up the AZ Cards to old Gard, he might open a can of Wup A$$ on all of us!

He might, but his team wont

.

Before anything is said, yep my guys stink too. But they're not returning SB Champs goin' fer TWO DAT.

God Bless, Ray

Gard · #12 10-12-2010, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilRay

He might, but his team wont

.

Before anything is said, yep my guys stink too. But they're not returning SB Champs goin' fer TWO DAT.

God Bless, Ray

Yup...keep thinkin' that way...

...remember, the Saints are stinkin' their way through games and are literally one game away from having the best record in the NFL...imagine what happens WHEN (not if) they start actually playing well...

...you wish for Turducken on Thanksgiving, Ray, I'm gonna enjoy watching my boys feast on the last shreds of hope in Dallas...

LilRay · #13 10-12-2010, 01:35 PM

Lotsa time left between now & then Gard

God Bless, Ray

Gard · #14 10-12-2010, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilRay

Lotsa time left between now & then Gard

God Bless, Ray

Sure is, I'm wonderin' how many your 'Boys will manage to put in the right hand column between now and then, and if the Blue Teletubby will still have a job on 11/25/10.

LilRay · #15 10-12-2010, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

Sure is, I'm wonderin' how many your 'Boys will manage to put in the right hand column between now and then, and if the Blue Teletubby will still have a job on 11/25/10.

Don't know on the first, don't care on the second. I just want it right for Turkey night.

IMO the whole league is stinkin up the joint. First time without 4-0 since '70? Looks like a turd of a season is to be had by all

Oakland beat SD? Cards beat NOLA? Bears/Skins/Titans beat the 'Boys?

I dunno but I'm sure glad I didn't pay $200.00 this year to watch this crud.

God Bless, Ray

Gard · #16 10-12-2010, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilRay

Don't know on the first, don't care on the second. I just want it right for Turkey night.

IMO the whole league is stinkin up the joint. First time without 4-0 since '70? Looks like a turd of a season is to be had by all

Oakland beat SD? Cards beat NOLA? Bears/Skins/Titans beat the 'Boys?

I dunno but I'm sure glad I didn't pay $200.00 this year to watch this crud.

God Bless, Ray

On this we can pretty much agree...well, except the Turkey Day game, that one I definitely want to see another heaping of embarrassment for Jerry's Kids.

VroomVroom · #17 10-12-2010, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilRay

IMO the whole league is stinkin up the joint. First time without 4-0 since '70? Looks like a turd of a season is to be had by all

See, this is exactly why I'm loving it. Parity. The collective bargaining system at work. Screw up picking free agents, or suffer a key injury? You're in trouble...because the rest of the league just ain't that bad. Any given Sunday, baby.

I'm okay with division winners coming in at 11-5, or even 10-6. Makes the playoffs more interesting, with grit, good coaching, and game management factoring in just as much as talent.

And boy do these Smith strings sound good.

**Bipslapper** · #18 10-12-2010, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

And boy do these Smith strings sound good.

Funny, I know Will Smith has saved the world from aliens & humanity from a freaky virus, but I didn't know he made bass guitar strings- cool !

Oh yeah, back to quick football banter:

Go PATS !

Gotta admit boys- "Pat the Patriot looks Kick Ass; a man who can take care of bidnezz"

Pete C.

VroomVroom · #19 10-14-2010, 09:53 PM

FYI/FWIW...just installed a medium-5 (.130-.105-.085-.065-.045) set on my new-to-me fretless. So far, so good....I'm really digging the tone. Saturday's gig will tell for sure, but I may be ordering some more of these strings for both Roscoes.

**Ryan L.** · #20 10-14-2010, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

.....imagine what happens WHEN (not if) they start actually playing well...
..

Umm, gee, let me take a guess at this one:

We'll get to see about a thousand posts about how awesome the Saints are??

As someone who has a potential new Roscoe order in the works, this will officially be the last stab I take at Gard for the next few months. Unless I decide to just by an SX and mod it...........