Now that's a set of strings

[p0werslav3]

I'm going to quote from this Phil Chen article out of the new Bass Player magazine:

"Chen's P-Bass has been his one and only main axe for as long as he's been playing, and it's had the same La Bella .052-.110 strings on it for-wait for it-45 years."

[HogieWan]

everyone says how long flats last - I agree, I just don't seem to keep the basses with the flats long enough to know for sure

[20db pad]

Makes sense, as Phil is a diehard Jamerson fan.

[Bassman316]

Same set of LaBellas for 45 years?! F------ legendary.

[Melodicgroove]

Unreal, makes me wanna switch brands.

[SoonerMatt]

Where were those strings made, the fires of Mt. Doom?

[Madcity Fats]

Thanks for this thread. I'm turning forty this year and this leads me to believe that, despite a mountain of data to the contrary, I may not have outlived my usefulness just yet.

[fretlessguy]

When I read that article and came across that, I had to read it again to make sure I read it right the first time.
I wonder if they have a smell to them?

[p0werslav3]

The other bandmates probably make him stand waaaaaay on the other side of the stage

[fuNKmaster83]

if he has them on for 45 years then he is not playing it to the fullest... james had them on till they brake and if you play with a force like james then you can go a couple of years max. not a couple of decades!!!

[david fitch]

Hey guys..Phil Chen's white P was Bob Babbitt's back up bass for the movie Standing In The Shadows Of Motown. You can see the bass leaning on Jamersons amp on the stage (Jamerson's Ampeg was placed on the stage in honor of James). I spoke with Bob Babbitt,and he said the bass played and sounded great. Bob also said he had no idea how old the strings are.

[One Drop]

Originally Posted by fuNKmaster83

if he has them on for 45 years then he is not playing it to the fullest... james had them on till they brake and if you play with a force like james then you can go a couple of years max. not a couple of decades!!!

Have you heard Phil Chen? if anyone knows how to play a bass and strings to the fullest it's him.

Listen to his track on the SITSOM CD that comes with the book, he plays 'Reach Out...'. Simply a masterclass in how to make a bass sing and bring out the natural qualities of a good instrument. His touch is incredible and his timing is insane.

[PhilChen]

Originally Posted by fuNKmaster83

if he has them on for 45 years then he is not playing it to the fullest... james had them on till they brake and if you play with a force like james then you can go a couple of years max. not a couple of decades!!!

DEAR FUNKMASTER 83 thanx for noticing me but you have it all wrong,THE GREAT JAMES JAMERSON only broke a ''G''string and he sent it back to la bella to see if they could solder it back on??dont take my word for it ask ERIC COCO at la bella he told me the story.i bought my bass and i have not changed the strings i presently own it ,i should know,and as far as comparing me with JAMES what a honour.THANX.now if you kindly rent "'STANDING IN THE SHADOWS OF MOTOWN""you will see JAMES playing with MARVIN as he FORCEFULLY RAKE THE STRINGS AS YOU SO KINDLY PUT IT????MAKE SURE YOU VIEW WITH A MAGNIFYING GLASS??in my opinon JAMES had a great feel from the heart and a simple touch brought over from his upright bebop playing and while he played on 80#1 i had only played on 50 gold and platinum albums?YOU obviously dont own a p/bass with la bellas 52-110 (dont try putting on 52-110 your finger will bleed before you get to the bridge??these are MANS STRINGS?)otherwise you would understand the FAT TONE and the need to not change strings??anyhow dont go telling me the wonderful lady bassist in la played on WHATS GOIN ON?by Marvin Gaye either /?it was done in detriot with JAMES on his back drunk as a skunk?(AGAIN WATCH DE MOVIE??)??i do not know where you get your facts from and i do not care what you think of me because it is none of my BIZZNIZZ???i suggest you go an listen to another great bassist LOUIS JOHNSON the album i recommend is "'GET DA FUNK OUTTA MY FACE""thanx again for noticing me you are so wonderful --do your research if i may say so before you jump to conclusion,and CHEEZE CUTTER STRINGS are in my opinion a no no for the fat JAMERSON SOUND??But what do i know????MR 45 YEARS OLD STRINGS AND 50 GOLD ALBUMS LATER.ONE LOVE DE BASSMAN DE DOORS.

[RobertPaulson]

Walls of text with unnecessary capitalization killed 2 of my friends.

[mpm32]

ha. awesome!

[Steve]

^ legit post or a HOF troll???

[SpamBot]

I'd feel so fulfilled if that was actually Phil Chen...................

[mpm32]

One never knows.....

[Zombbg4]

I must have Hulk hands, I broke an A string on some LaBella flats once. But then again, most likely my bridges fault.

[lowregister]

"The funk is in the funk."