Chef
In Memoriam
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
fresh or old?
If not pretty fresh, I'd strongly recommend a fresh set-o-strings on that bad boy too.
Chef
In Memoriam
While I tend to still be an SS fan on almost anything, I think you'll find most folks recommend nickel for this wood combo, but then again, maybe that's also with SC pickups. With the HC's, maybe it's different.
Anyway, for nickels, I don't play those as much, but the times I have, I really like the LoRider nickels, or if you like slinky, the SunBeams. I've also had great luck on these J basses with the good ol' D'Addario 170's and believe it or not, Peavey Cirrus strings. I've also heard good things about the Sadowsky nickels, but haven't tried them myself. Anyway, FWIW.
Chef
In Memoriam
I might have DA 170's around, and I do like them.
I like what's on there pretty well, so far.
I like what's on there pretty well, so far.
Yeah, I've never played Pedulla's, but I bet they are pretty nice... they're known for the fretless thing in particular, and I bet these are their top recommended sets for their Buzz basses since nickels go so great on a fretless.
Yes, the Pedulla's were a complete surprise to me. They are very fresh. I think that if you could let them age for another week or so the whole toneality will change. It should give you a bit more warmth. I had the black label SS's on the bass originally and it just never sounded right. I had a couple of sets of the Pedulla nickels sitting around (picked them up somewhere) so decided to give them a shot. It really brought that bass into a nice tonal range. Plus they feel a lot nicer than the LoRiders which I've been a fanboy of for years.
Again,
the Sadowsky's really shine in the mix. That edginess should smooth right out with a band.
We need to get Chef a club number and show him the secret handshake.
Again,
the Sadowsky's really shine in the mix. That edginess should smooth right out with a band. We need to get Chef a club number and show him the secret handshake.
Woah, maybe I should try a set. Also, if you're talking about the SS blacks, yeah, I pretty much ONLY use those on my 24 Fret. I think for the J's it's all about the blues for at least SS, which I've used, and also nickel, tho I've only read about those.
MOSDEF!!! I'm going to go on record right now as saying I think he'll be a long term member, so I'm pretty sure it's safe to get him a number.We need to get Chef a club number and show him the secret handshake.
FWIW, Alan, I really liked the DR HiBeams on both my (now sold) ash/morado UV70 5-string (with SCs) and my alder/braz. rosewood PJ. Having the VTC on your bass might prove very useful. I used it a lot on mine.
I'm a fan of nickels on the Reverends, but for the Sadowskys, I really like the HiBeams. I have some Sadowsky Blue Label SS on my PJ right now (decided to give them a try), and while they are pretty good, I don't like them nearly as much as the HiBeams.
There are so many variables when it comes to strings, so you'll want to try out different things there, but I'd be interested to see what you would think if you somehow got to try some Sadowsky single coils in there as well. With the VTC, you can get some really dynamic, punchy tones from the SCs without getting too zingy.
Experimentation is fun but sadly can run into some bucks.
I'm a fan of nickels on the Reverends, but for the Sadowskys, I really like the HiBeams. I have some Sadowsky Blue Label SS on my PJ right now (decided to give them a try), and while they are pretty good, I don't like them nearly as much as the HiBeams.
There are so many variables when it comes to strings, so you'll want to try out different things there, but I'd be interested to see what you would think if you somehow got to try some Sadowsky single coils in there as well. With the VTC, you can get some really dynamic, punchy tones from the SCs without getting too zingy.
Experimentation is fun but sadly can run into some bucks.
Regarding HC vs single coils-----
Before any of you switch to singles, please try replacing the volume pot with a 500K (your bass probably has a 250K volume pot). We did some extensive listening tests a few months ago and the 500K opens up the HC pickups a lot and gets them much closer to the singles. We have since made the 500K volume standard.
Roger
Before any of you switch to singles, please try replacing the volume pot with a 500K (your bass probably has a 250K volume pot). We did some extensive listening tests a few months ago and the 500K opens up the HC pickups a lot and gets them much closer to the singles. We have since made the 500K volume standard.
Roger
Chef
In Memoriam
Wow! That is really interesting, and a relatively inexpensive thing to try, and easily reversible to boot.
Woah! Cool! I actually have a set of HC's available, AND a 500K pot!
Just one question tho, does it still make a difference when the pot is maxed?
I've been using DR SS Lo-Riders and like them very much. I have them on both of my NYC Sadsowky's which are VJ4 Ash/BrazRW/SC, and the newer UVJ4 Ash/Maple/SC. I thought about trying a set of nickels again on my VJ4 now that it has SC.
I just can't seem to put down the new UVJ4 ... it's been getting most all the playing time. I've always loved rosewood but this maple board is just spectacular.
I just can't seem to put down the new UVJ4 ... it's been getting most all the playing time. I've always loved rosewood but this maple board is just spectacular.
Interesting. Could you please elaborate on how the tone 'opens up' with the 500K pot? Thanks very much for the tip.
Vic, if you make the swap, would you mind giving us your impressions?
Would that also be the case with PJs? I have an '03 NYC PJ, and given my preference for singles, I'm curious as to how it would affect it.
I'm also hesitant to mess around with my #1 bass . . .
How did you guys pass the time waiting for your basses it seems the closer my gets to being done the harder it gets to wait
