Your car needs a mesa 800 and a 8x10 stack right above the bumper. maybe turned sideways so two 4x10s
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Your car needs a mesa 800 and a 8x10 stack right above the bumper. maybe turned sideways so two 4x10s
I'll take those suggestions under advisement. However with driver proximity to exhaust header outlets and the fact that it will be "open air" except for windshield and probably driven by an operator cloaked in driving suit and helmet, I'd need all of that amplification in order to hear anything else!
My man @OldCoupeTom is gonna play and drive. That's impressive.
Mostly I was being funny, but having a stage prop for your amp and a ride to the venue at the same time would be handy. Getting it up those stairs though....
Hell, nearing 80, just getting myself up stairs is the first concern. Good thing our house is single story. Climbing those "drop down" barn/garage ladders carrying parts, etc. is enough danger and exercise for any given day!
Hi, will try to answer as fully as I can. First which do I play more? Truthfully I enjoy them both..a couple differences, the Gretsch seems to have narrower string spacing, if I am playing fast the PBass is easier to play clean (Finger Style). The Gretsch has more variety in tone and shorter scale, much easier on the hands. So it all depends on my mood or how I am feeling. The Tapes I use Daddario ETB-92 (PBass) ETB-92M (Gretsch) I kinda feel like they fall right between Flats and rounds, have some of the thickness of Flats, but some of the attack, definition of rounds. Plus those particular strings have a feel to them I like, enough texture to not be to slippery.
Worth trying. For the mods. will list them and why I did them and anything worth noting on how to do them
1. Tuners, installed Hipshot HB-6y 3/8 version, drop in replacement, just work mush better
2. Fretboard Inlay stickers, just like the look, easier to see on a dark stage
3. Rewired to Volume-Volume-Tone, Don't like 3 way switch, like to blend my tone. Wired it up like a Jazz bass.
only thing trick is the 3way switch hole is 1/2 inch, pot shaft is 3/8 inch so used a 3/8 ID 1/2 OD o-ring as a spacer on the tone pot shaft
4. Omega bass bridge, like hi mass bridges, grooved saddle version is best, easy to line up strings where you want
5. Pickups, TV Jones Thunderblades, I thought the original pickups were just a little dull and didn't blend well. I originally used a thundermag with a thunderblade, they were pretty mismatched, two thunderblades worked well together, and gave me a wide variety of tones blender from aggressive to mellow. Will have to sand or file the pickup rings slightly for them to fit.
Think that covers it, please ask away for any questions, happy to help
I just wanted to highlight this small part. No matter how you plan on using that hole, this spacer will be needed. I have a different idea in mind, but I'm still gonna need that spacer to 3/8.
I agree 100% about having the ability to swap strings easily for getting a different sound.
Regarding the Gretsch G2220, there is availability of rounds, flats & tapes that fit, although not much selection (especially for different gauges, hopefully that will improve). I recently upgraded the bridge to a Hipshot 5A4FM1A (easy drop-in replacement). It has the “quick load” string slots allowing you to loosen the string and just pick up out of the slot (instead of pulling the string back through a hole). Similar to Ibanez SR bridges. A few days ago I swapped from tapes back to flats then last night back to tapes. Why don’t all basses come standard with bridges like this?
I agree 100% about having the ability to swap strings easily for getting a different sound.
Regarding the Gretsch G2220, there is availability of rounds, flats & tapes that fit, although not much selection (especially for different gauges, hopefully that will improve). I recently upgraded the bridge to a Hipshot 5A4FM1A (easy drop-in replacement). It has the “quick load” string slots allowing you to loosen the string and just pick up out of the slot (instead of pulling the string back through a hole). Similar to Ibanez SR bridges. A few days ago I swapped from tapes back to flats then last night back to tapes. Why don’t all basses come standard with bridges like this?
All of the La Bella short scale strings fit the G2220, unless I'm missing something. This is more than enough variation to keep me busy (especially with my string budget). I've got Low Tensions on it now, and it sounds great. They dont slap well.... but then again neither do I, so that could be me and not the string. I like them enough they will not come off for a while.
In the past week i swapped from tapes (D’Addario) to flats (DR Legends) then back to the tapes so it is still fresh in my mind now:
DR Legend flats - much “punchier”. Immediately after installing them was aware of that nice mid-range punch. Higher tension than the D’Addario flats. You can still hear some of the fret “clank” (when playing unplugged or at very low volume), but less than with rounds.
D’Addario tapes - more “mellow” sounding. Seems like more of a flat response across entire spectrum, a bit upright sounding (not a lot but enough to notice at times). Much lower tension than the DR flats. No fret “clank”.
Hope that helps.
Thanks Kev1955. I have clipped and save your message where I can find it in the future. I appreciate the prompt and detailed response! Much appreciated. I'll mull things and pose any other questions later. I am still really learning having started very late in life. Not sure my skill level or my ear can yet distinguish differences in tone and string feel just yet...but I'm working at it daily!
Great. I'm 66 so I understand fully, any questions always feel free to ask, take care!
Yes Short scale strings fit fine with the stock bridge, with a replacement bridge you may need Medium scale strings, get out the measuring tape, lol
So, just asking and if I'm violating a rule here than I'll apologize in advance.
Recently I was in some discussions about still not getting the brighter tone I was looking for out of my parts basses. And as part of another discussion I got some measurements for @iiipopes and he gifted me a set of GHS Balanced Nickels that he recommended. I'd been playing flats for a number of years and was reluctant to change but gave it a shot and loved them. Bought a 2nd set for my other parts bass.
Anyway, I have 2 sets of D'addario Chrome Flats, Medium scale, 45-100 on hand that I'd gift out to someone who may want to give them a try. Maybe you've thought about using them or maybe you already do and need some spares. I got these around beginning Nov when I completed my 2nd parts bass, since I was putting new strings on one I did it on both. So they only have a couple months use. No issues at all.
These are medium scale, 34" winding from ball end to silk. My SS's are 30" but both have string through body bridges so needed medium scale. I assume they would work on top mount if you can live with a few extra windings.
I'd prefer to ship only to lower 48 due to shipping costs lately.
Hope someone can use them. PM me.
Recently I was in some discussions about still not getting the brighter tone I was looking for out of my parts basses. And as part of another discussion I got some measurements for @iiipopes and he gifted me a set of GHS Balanced Nickels that he recommended. I'd been playing flats for a number of years and was reluctant to change but gave it a shot and loved them. Bought a 2nd set for my other parts bass.
Anyway, I have 2 sets of D'addario Chrome Flats, Medium scale, 45-100 on hand that I'd gift out to someone who may want to give them a try. Maybe you've thought about using them or maybe you already do and need some spares. I got these around beginning Nov when I completed my 2nd parts bass, since I was putting new strings on one I did it on both. So they only have a couple months use. No issues at all.
These are medium scale, 34" winding from ball end to silk. My SS's are 30" but both have string through body bridges so needed medium scale. I assume they would work on top mount if you can live with a few extra windings.
I'd prefer to ship only to lower 48 due to shipping costs lately.
Hope someone can use them. PM me.
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*UPDATE* @Greywoulf has taken one set and left one for somebody else. Hit me up with a PM if you're interested.
And side note, Greywoulf pointed out that one of the string boxes is long scale, just a box that I had on hand. I just took these two sets off my Musicmaster and Mustang parts basses so I know they're the same scale. Sorry for the confusion.
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I try for an "upright-eous" tone and that is precisely why I use D'Addario nylon tapes. They have just enough definiition to hint at my actual upright.
The "upright-eous-ness" of the D'Addarios works especially well with my Hofner Ignition Club and my Hofner HCT 500/5 President basses using the neck pickup and plucking near the fingerboard. The lack of fret clank helps the illusion.
I should have noted that I assume it's tuned to A=440, unless it has an Oldsmobile engine, in which case I presume it's tuned to A=442.
- Oct 22, 2015
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Used D'Addario nylon tapes on the Chowny CHB-1 for the same reason — that upright tone. Drifted into Low Tension Flats, then 10 months on Dunlop flats before putting the LTFs back on. That is the tone I want from that bass, and it rattles things at modest volume 
Also 66, and seriously engaged with bass and bass studies. Required a lifetime to get here, who can figure?
Also 66, and seriously engaged with bass and bass studies. Required a lifetime to get here, who can figure?
I just got a set of the Low Tension Flats and may put them on my Epi Rumblekat. I've had LaBella Deep Talkin' Bass flats on there for a long time, but thinking of trying something new, just because....LTFs here I come.
*UPDATE* @Greywoulf has taken one set and left one for somebody else. Hit me up with a PM if you're interested.
And side note, Greywoulf pointed out that one of the string boxes is long scale, just a box that I had on hand. I just took these two sets off my Musicmaster and Mustang parts basses so I know they're the same scale. Sorry for the confusion.
@Nebraska has claimed the 2nd set so that's a wrap, so to speak.
