alternative strings on a Rick Turner Renassiance

[jon5252]

Hey all- I am the proud owner of a very nice RT Renaissance 5 fretless, which came with the stock acousticore TI's. I have quite a few hours playing the bass, and am not quite sure if that is the string for me. I have read where others have equipped their Rens differently, was wondering what some of you used and your feelings about those strings. I had an incomplete set of LaBella tapes, I put those on the bass, noticed they had a lot more output than the stock strings, but I seemed to loose quite a bit of growl, am looking for suggestions. Thanks for your input.

[basspraiser]

I just posted the same question in another thread as i too just bought a turner ren 5 here on TB

I have yet had the pleasure of playing it as I had it sent to my luthier for a once over

Suggestions are welcome

Thanks!

Doug

[jon5252]

I think you will really like it, it is a very unique bass. I tried some D'Addario chrome flats, that did not do it for me. I see Bass Northwest put a set of TI flats on one of their new ones, I may call them and see what their impressions.

[Jeff Scott]

I spoke with Rick about this years ago; different string will most definitely change the sound, but, and I agree with Rick on this, these basses have a unique tone and part of that is is due to the strings (Acousticores) the bass comes with. One thing he mentioned is taking fine sandpaper/emory cloth and smoothing down the windings on the strings slightly, if desired, for a smoother feel and to help protect the fingerboard. Sanding the fret markers is something he talked about, too, if they cause pronounced buzzing.

[darkstorm]

How about phosphure bronze bass strings? Whatever growly acoustic bass strings one likes? Thats what came to mind for me when looking at a pic of one of those at bass northwest.

[StephenR]

The Acousticores take some getting used to particularly the way they seem to "roll" a bit under your fingers but IMO they are the best string to use on the Ren basses. I tried using round wounds on one of my Renaissance basses and liked the extra punch and reduced high end squeak but ended up going back to the Acousticore strings. Every time I pick up the bass it takes a few minutes to get both my hands acclimated to the instrument, at first it always sounds horrible to me. Once I dial in my fingering hand and especially adjust my right hand technique the variety of great tones I can get with the Acousticore strings just by varying my technique never ceases to amaze me.

[Jazzdogg]

To me, the Acousticore strings feel like worms wriggling beneath my fingers, which is something I could probably become accustomed to - given enough time. I'd characterize the sound of a Turner strung with Acousticores as being more like a large acoustic guitar than a bass; perfect for some musical styles, but the sound isn't enough like a traditional/conventional bass for me to consider a Turner Ren as my primary bass.

[jon5252]

The acousticores do feel and react very differently from anything else you would consider a traditional EB string. I have owned my Ren for about three weeks and spent two or three hours a day adjusting to it. IMO you can get just about any kind of sound from it other than maybe a good slap. If you use the same technique you would use on a regular bass it does not sound very impressive, use a VERY light touch and there are all kinds of variations available. I don't have the trim pots figured out yet, but the bass I think overall is a killer if you have the patience to learn how to play it.

[StephenR]

Well put Jon!

[basspraiser]

....just caught up here again...

I cannot wait to play the bass! It is at my luthiers and he said it "...growls like a lioness in heat.."

...this is with the stock strings.

he also told me to not use any other strings or I will drastically change the sound...

if I were not traveling this week I would be getting it today!

will be at least another week!

[jon5252]

Good luck with your bass, have some patience with it. I bet it grows on you.

[basspraiser]

Originally Posted by jon5252

Good luck with your bass, have some patience with it. I bet it grows on you.

I am sure I will....I played a ren 4 fretted approx 2 years ago and that sold me on Turner basses. Been looking for the right one ever since.....

From one new turner owner to another.....yahoo! Enjoy it....