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Birdsong Club

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#641
My birdsong is sounding a bit "dead" and I was wondering what kind of strings you guys are using for a more "zingy" tone?

I have DR hi beams on right now but I've found that there isnt enough tension with a round core string for the birdsong.
 
#644
opivy3056 said:
My birdsong is sounding a bit "dead" and I was wondering what kind of strings you guys are using for a more "zingy" tone?

I have DR hi beams on right now but I've found that there isnt enough tension with a round core string for the birdsong.
Click to expand...


YMMV of course but i really like the Sadowsky Blue Label Nickel Bass strings on my cortocustom and on my Sadhana.
 
#645
opivy3056 said:
My birdsong is sounding a bit "dead" and I was wondering what kind of strings you guys are using for a more "zingy" tone?

I have DR hi beams on right now but I've found that there isnt enough tension with a round core string for the birdsong.
Click to expand...

I've been really pleased with the tone I get using D'Addario Regular Light Gauge Nickel Wounds. Just put a new set on last night actually, and I'd say it's got just the right zing. Of course, I play a Cortofusion so I'm working with a slightly different tonal palette than your Cortobass. Those three videos I posted on youtube this week and mentioned in previous posts were recorded with the same type of strings, but they were 6 months old and had flattened out a bit. I think the tension feels great and they have the right amount of brightness to balance well with the 'Fusion.

What kind of tone are you seeking though? If you have a sound in mind that you are after, I would just call up Scott and ask him what strings he'd recommend you try out. Having gone through many himself, he's the man to ask.
 
#646
pandapaul said:
I've been really pleased with the tone I get using D'Addario Regular Light Gauge Nickel Wounds. Just put a new set on last night actually, and I'd say it's got just the right zing. Of course, I play a Cortofusion so I'm working with a slightly different tonal palette than your Cortobass. Those three videos I posted on youtube this week and mentioned in previous posts were recorded with the same type of strings, but they were 6 months old and had flattened out a bit. I think the tension feels great and they have the right amount of brightness to balance well with the 'Fusion.

What kind of tone are you seeking though? If you have a sound in mind that you are after, I would just call up Scott and ask him what strings he'd recommend you try out. Having gone through many himself, he's the man to ask.
Click to expand...

I know Scott recommends Curt Mangan nickel rounds. But I've always been more of a stainless guy myself. Maybe I'll try curt mangan SS'?

The tone I go for is bright, but without being too aggressive. I guess one could describe it as "pingy". If you listen to the recordings on my bands page, it might give you an idea (aside from the FUZZ!!!). Unfortunately for me, I love the tone I get with my jazz bass, but the comfort and playablility of a short scale neck and body is just too good to refuse. Its shredtastic.
 
#648
How often do you guys change your strings... I have had my Corto since June, and have been playing it purt near every day, and am wondering if a change is due any time soon... My GEEtarist changes his every month, and I never change the flats on my Epi Viola (they just get better with age). I will be putting the same Curt Mangans on, as I am perfectly happy with them... I just am starting to wonder if I am losing a little of the brightness... hard to tell when you play every day, rather than being able to A/B today and 4 months ago...

What about you guys? How long do you keep a pair of strings on (and, specifically, the Mangans)?
 
#650
opivy3056 said:
I know Scott recommends Curt Mangan nickel rounds. But I've always been more of a stainless guy myself. Maybe I'll try curt mangan SS'?

The tone I go for is bright, but without being too aggressive. I guess one could describe it as "pingy". If you listen to the recordings on my bands page, it might give you an idea (aside from the FUZZ!!!). Unfortunately for me, I love the tone I get with my jazz bass, but the comfort and playablility of a short scale neck and body is just too good to refuse. Its shredtastic.
Click to expand...

Watch out - Scott tried SS strings on the Cortobasses back in the early days and found that they cause wolf tones. He actively recommends against them. Doesn't mean you won't find different (could be any number of factors, including that specific bass he was testing, or the old pickups, or the old neck maker) - just thought you deserved fair warning.

If they work for you, let us know. It'd be good to have extra data available on string options.
 
#651
rfclef said:
What about you guys? How long do you keep a pair of strings on (and, specifically, the Mangans)?
Click to expand...


I tend to kill nickel strings quickly. Must be acidic sweat. I drink too much orange juice, I guess. It's not just the highs that go away; they get a weird nasal sound. And turn colors. :eek:

Anyway, I had Elixers on for a couple months; not as zingy as the Mangans, a little warmer and a little less tension, but overall pretty decent with nice thick lower-mids. They'd probably last me 4 or 5 months; already they were getting a little hairy, but still had a lot of life left. However, I took them off today to try the Chromes that just arrived.

Jury's still out on the Chromes; pretty mellow, but I like how even the tone is from string to string (unlike D'addario 1/2-rounds, which went from oomph on the E to twang on the G.) I'll play them in church tomorrow and see how they do with the GK/Epifani kit; my guess is they'll sit very well with our sound. Have to say, the blue silk on these strings looks hideous on my Cortobass, especially next to the rusty-red bloodwood truss cover. Tension's not quite as high as I expected either, but they're definitely not floppy like the TIs.

Dean: congrats! You will enjoy it, I'm sure.

opivy3056: Maybe try some Rotosounds? I see them mentioned often when someone is looking for a brighter string.
 
#653
slejhamer said:
opivy3056: Maybe try some Rotosounds? I see them mentioned often when someone is looking for a brighter string.
Click to expand...

eh, maybe? I tried Rotos on my jazz bass before. Theyre pretty cool but they die SOOO quickly. I think I'm gonna try some DR nickel low riders. I'l let you guys know how that works out.

Although scott recommends the Mangans....DR has really never ceased to amaze me on any bass. So I'll keep swappin em. I'll get back later this week.

In the meantime I found a good setting on my amp where even my dead(ish) strings can sound pretty aggressive. I'm also not really a fan of my GK amp's tone unless its cranked. and my Sunn 2000s is in the shop. :bawl:
 
#654
Closer all the time!!


C133h.jpg


Feel like a kid at Christmas!
 
#657
Hope y'all don't mind a change of subject but if you like meandering through the Birdsong website you'll like this.

It is three pages of Birdsong webpages from Google. Some of them appear to be old pages that no longer have links from the current webpage. Or, at least, I haven't found them.

Click HERE.

If for some reason the link doesn't work do a Google search for "Birdsong Bass". The first search result with have a link labled "More results from birdsongguitars.com". Click there and it'll pull them up.

Interesting stuff!
 
#658
Hey Ozonbass,

Your Corto is looking pretty drool-worthy!!

I just checked in on the client page. Scott has pictures of the plank up that my bass will come from.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I love walnut!

Peace and Good Vibrations...
 
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