Jaco Strings

[Joe Garage]

What kind of strings did Jaco use?

[fretless Bob]

rotosound swing bass 66,

he even had them make him sets with different colour cloth for each string, they are very high tension though, and not to friendly on the finger tips


Dave

[Joe Garage]

Thanks Fretless Bob!

I have heard that the quality on these particular strings is not what they used to be. Is there any truth to this?

[jmceachern36]

I've heard talk of that but have never had any problems with them. It's the only string I use. I've also found them to be more flexible (less tension?) than other strings with the same gauge. 45-105 that is.

[fretless Bob]

thats funny i find them less flexible than most strings,

if you want real flexible strings try DR low riders, their steel and have that piano like tone that Rotos have but without being so hard on the fingers.

and D'Addario's are very good at getting that tone as well, try their XL Pro Steels, their great as well.


Dave

[war_n_peace]

Quote from Fender Site:

"Jaco was legendary for coating his fingers with fried chicken grease before going on stage, in order to lubricate his strings. However, some of Jaco's friends have disputed this legend, saying it is just a myth."

Also from Jacop.net

"While on Weather Report tours, or on the Joni tour, I never saw
Jaco purposely coat his fingers with chicken grease before going
on stage. Mostly after soundcheck the band munched backstage.
Jaco at some point would change the strings on both his basses,
which he did before every show. There were times when I heard him
say to a group of inquiring minds around him at the time, that leaving
chicken grease on his fingers helps....laughing heartily and playfully.
The truth is, there were times he left chicken grease on his fingers."

I've tried this and it also takes away some of
the string noise you hear with roundwounds...

That was the Inspiration for the song "The Chicken"

Everytime I open my case it smells like KFC!!!

[Nick Ioannucci]

gross man. i would absolutely hate that.

[fretless Bob]

i heard that he eat kfc before gigs but just because he liked kfc, and the thought of a greasy bass is a little rank, but then i guess it would explain why the back of his neck was so dirty


Dave

[jmceachern36]

Originally Posted by fretless Bob

thats funny i find them less flexible than most strings,

if you want real flexible strings try DR low riders, their steel and have that piano like tone that Rotos have but without being so hard on the fingers.

Dave

Thanks for the tip on the low riders Dave. I did a search on them and it looks like others say the same thing. I'm all for making things easier on my fingers.

[fretless Bob]

yeah they are some of my favourite strings, if only they had the same thump and that D'Addario's had i would use them on every bass i have, but i guess that is what makes them the way they are


Dave

[flyman]

Originally Posted by war_n_peace

Quote from Fender Site:

That was the Inspiration for the song "The Chicken"

"The Chicken" was written by "Pee Wee" Ellis when he was with James Brown & was recorded by Brown's band around the time Jaco was in his early teens.

[THIRSTYGUMS]

When i play and i need a little lube i just run my fingers down the bridge of my nose or across my forehead/ brow, and get a little of the real thing!
to quote Tyler Durden " the richest creamiest fat in the world"