Carol Kaye's string changing method !

[GretschWretch]

Bingo. Come to think of it, ten minutes is probably about average. I play pretty hard so I go through strings quickly. I bet I take no more than ten minutes on average. I've done it lots of times during set breaks and still had time to talk to people and maybe even eat a sandwich.

Of course, it probably wasn't to "studio spec". Bwahaha!

"Studio spec" requires a bit more precision and is a little less slap-dash than you seem to credit it for. Don't know what studio spec for a sandwich would be, though.

 

[king_biscuit]

"Studio spec" requires a bit more precision and is a little less slap-dash than you seem to credit it for. Don't know what studio spec for a sandwich would be, though.

Yes but we have established, through Carol's own testimony in the posted video, that even if the trade-ins really came from the music store at "studio spec" she mucked them up straight away by adding shims to the necks.

Seriously, "studio spec" would not be an exact setting, but would vary with the studio player; so there is no way a bass came from a music store, off of the shelf, at studio spec for a particular player. I am posting a great Sadowsky article describing how Marcus and Will like totally different setups.

Link Removed

 

[bluesdogblues]

from the excellent "Fender Bass Manual" by Paul Balmer (Haynes Publishing)

Carol "I never changed strings-hated to do that and had no time to do that. I merely ran into a music store on a break, handed in my old bass, and quickly picked out a new Fender Precision, and so every two years I had new strings."

rotfl , of course the downside is that each string change costs $1800 lol

great informative book, covers 51 and 57 Ps and 60s Jazzes plus most other models. Goes in depth with how to set up, upgrade parts etc.

Perhaps it's just coincidence, My most favorite bassists are they who never change strings, or rarely did or at least never think much about it.
Wes Montgomery, James Jamerson, Carol Kaye, Joe Osborn, Paul McCartney.

I never change strings except it breaks. Because I don't like the sound of new strings on my bass. Very probably I am under influenced -Sound-wise- of them I mention above. But, if being 'lazy' about it can give me the better sound I like, I don't complain

If I have the money, perhaps I'd do just like Carol Kaye does.

 

[Gbass75]

I think she's kind of nutty; so, this story seems likely to me.

But, more importantly... I'd like to say to the TB member, "Boba Fret," you might have chosen the best username in TB history.

Mandlorian helmets off to you, sir!

 

[two fingers]

"Studio spec" requires a bit more precision and is a little less slap-dash than you seem to credit it for. Don't know what studio spec for a sandwich would be, though.

Fair enough. And today I'm sure studios sweat that small stuff, much like they sweat over which $10K mic they will use for vocals on this track, because that decision will certainly make or break the sing (sarcasm alert).

But back then, come on! It just didn't happen! Jamerson's action was notoriously high. There is no way physically possible that his intonation was even close to "studio spec" by today's (creepy and weird) standards. It defies the laws of physics! That's why I am constantly giving my studio owner friends all kinds of crap about what they worry about. I go to record for them and they will get into arguments over whether to use the LA 2A or the old Gates compressor for my tracks. Seriously????? Do you honestly think anyone listening to that track later is going to say "Dang, those idiots should have gone with the Gates."???????? (Answer: No, they won't ever do that..... like...... ever.) But they will get into long debates over it. It's OCD to the point of insanity. And for NO GAIN IN QUALITY WHATSOEVER when out in the context of the whole mix.

Read up on intonation. True intonation is impossible on regular guitars and basses. "Studio spec" is a myth. Sorry. It can't exist. It is, at best, a compromise of what you are willing to put up with. But mostly it's a bunch of guys who worry too much and read too many articles on the interwebs.

Meh. It's just my opinion. I'm not as worked up over it as my writing would imply. I don't see bold text as "cyber yelling".

 

[king_biscuit]

Fair enough. And today I'm sure studios sweat that small stuff, much like they sweat over which $10K mic they will use for vocals on this track, because that decision will certainly make or break the sing (sarcasm alert).

But back then, come on! It just didn't happen! Jamerson's action was notoriously high. There is no way physically possible that his intonation was even close to "studio spec" by today's (creepy and weird) standards. It defies the laws of physics! That's why I am constantly giving my studio owner friends all kinds of crap about what they worry about. I go to record for them and they will get into arguments over whether to use the LA 2A or the old Gates compressor for my tracks. Seriously????? Do you honestly think anyone listening to that track later is going to say "Dang, those idiots should have gone with the Gates."???????? (Answer: No, they won't ever do that..... like...... ever.) But they will get into long debates over it. It's OCD to the point of insanity. And for NO GAIN IN QUALITY WHATSOEVER when out in the context of the whole mix.

Read up on intonation. True intonation is impossible on regular guitars and basses. "Studio spec" is a myth. Sorry. It can't exist. It is, at best, a compromise of what you are willing to put up with. But mostly it's a bunch of guys who worry too much and read too many articles on the interwebs.

Meh. It's just my opinion. I'm not as worked up over it as my writing would imply. I don't see bold text as "cyber yelling".

Agreed. Have you had one of your lines put in something like melodyne? Every note is out of tune to some degree; but no one ever noticed that stuff until pro tools.

 

[gln1955]

from the excellent "Fender Bass Manual" by Paul Balmer (Haynes Publishing)

Carol "I never changed strings-hated to do that and had no time to do that. I merely ran into a music store on a break, handed in my old bass, and quickly picked out a new Fender Precision, and so every two years I had new strings."

So we're assuming Carol only owed one bass at a time? I don't know if that's the way she rolled, maybe someone else can confirm that. What I'm thinking is she traded her oldest bass in for a new one on a break while using another of her basses for her work that day - you know like a rotating stock. Wouldn't matter how long it took, or if the new bass was set up to her spec or "studio spec" right out of the shop. She would deal with that before it became her studio player.

 

[BazzTard]

I was calling you rabble. And me rabble! We're all rabble, let's face it. As I said in another comment, "I know the folks getting the thread started were just having a bit of fun. You could say I was having some similar fun back." Sorry if I sounded too harsh. You're not one of the oddballs saying she's just another player, nothing special.

As long as we are both rabble, i can live with that hehe

 

[Humbled]

So we're assuming Carol only owed one bass at a time? I don't know if that's the way she rolled, maybe someone else can confirm that. What I'm thinking is she traded her oldest bass in for a new one on a break while using another of her basses for her work that day - you know like a rotating stock. Wouldn't matter how long it took, or if the new bass was set up to her spec or "studio spec" right out of the shop. She would deal with that before it became her studio player.

Good point. Maybe she just liked a NBD every now and then.

 

[BazzTard]

Good point. Maybe she just liked a NBD every now and then.

and don't we ALL like that, tho one bass every two years is a bit slow, I've bought three this year. (though I won't buy another for years)

 

[Humbled]

As long as we are both rabble, i can live with that hehe

...Who you calling rabble, you blue scumbelly?

 

[Madwatch]

What is important?

Not being a jackass?

 

[BazzTard]

...Who you calling rabble, you blue scumbelly?
]

Myself and Red Four, actually. But you can be included too

I take it 'blue scumbelly' is a compliment? I took it as such hehe

 

[rolandm]

It's a quote from The Outlaw Josey Wales.

 

[Humbled]

Myself and Red Four, actually. But you can be included too

I take it 'blue scumbelly' is a compliment? I took it as such hehe

It's just a classic quote from one of the greatest movies of all time: The Outlaw Josey Wales. Just for grins, and directed at nobody.


But I am rabble.

 

[Stick_Player]

As soon as you're ready to dispose of them, let me know. The point remains, there aren't any Stick players dumping their instrument when the X# string suddenly dies on them. Of course, the seven or eight people that play them could probably set up an exchange network.

Nope. Keepin' my disposable Fender Products.

I had no idea there were that many Stick players around!

 

[BazzTard]

OK you can be rabble too. I like that movie, will pay attention next time it's on

 

[Stick_Player]

and don't we ALL like that, tho one bass every two years is a bit slow, I've bought three this year. (though I won't buy another for years)

But CK was gigging everyday - all day.

Are you?

The more one actually plays professionally, the less prone they are to flipping instruments.

 

[GregT]

I wanna be rabble too. It sure beats being the rabble-rouser.

 

[leegreenman]

So she says some crazy ass sh-t at times. I can listen to her playing all day.