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Fender Blacktop Club

#201
Well I made some changes to the blacktop.
I put some Fender flats and a Bridge cover on 'er.

I think these are the perfect string. I have never played so effortlessly, yet authoritatively on a set of flats.
These are bright strings, yet hold fundamentals well. String to string tone consistancy is above par, excellent in my book.
These strings are tight, yet rubbery. If I had to make a genetic splice comparison specimen it would have to be a cross between Chromes and TI's.
My setup is a Fender Vintage bridge, the truss is set to make the the action close to being perfectly level. Strings are set from the E string 6/64ths to between 5 and 6/64th's on the G string. No fret buzz, I could probably lower the saddles another quarter turn.

I am really impressed by these strings, honestly.

Go Blacktop, Go!
 
#203
I don't think a member number is required, but I'd still like to have one. LOL I'm a new member to the forum, and got my BT Jazz about a week ago. Getting it set up soon, and switching it over to flat wounds for sure. But I see a lot of discussion here about modding the pots and capacitor to give it more tonal flexibility. I'm looking to get a J-Bass/Rickenbacker trebly sound, but would still like the flexibility to get closer to a P-sound if wanted. Any suggestions? Thanks for any advice you guys can offer.
 

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#204
Kharkfum said:
I don't think a member number is required, but I'd still like to have one. LOL I'm a new member to the forum, and got my BT Jazz about a week ago. Getting it set up soon, and switching it over to flat wounds for sure. But I see a lot of discussion here about modding the pots and capacitor to give it more tonal flexibility. I'm looking to get a J-Bass/Rickenbacker trebly sound, but would still like the flexibility to get closer to a P-sound if wanted. Any suggestions? Thanks for any advice you guys can offer.
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Welcome to the forum and May The Force Be With You! :D

Bravo on your choice! I hope you dig it as much as I do!!

To get "closer to a P-sound", roll off the bridge pickup. It may not be exact, but I'm told it's pretty darn close by a local guitar tech. (I only just got my first P-bass recently and I'm still getting used to the sound) However, if you want to keep a more trebly sound, you may want to stick to roundwound strings. Nothing against flats, but rounds have a little more "grit" to them, as opposed to a more mellow tone flats yield. That being said, I haven't put flats on my Blacktop Jazz, so I don't know what that mixture of tones would produce.
 
#205
Thanks for the warm welcome, Malak! :-)

I'm totally digging the Blacktop J so far, I'm quite sure I made the right choice. Good punch and a lot of tonal variety.

But I'm still on the fence about the string choice. A couple of posters to the group have raved about flatwounds on the Blacktop J, and I know the classic Ric 4001 pretty much always used them. But I really love the sound I can get out of the bass right now as it came from the factory. I think a professional setup will make all the difference. I think I'll get it setup, take it home with the roundwounds on it, and see what I think. If I still think I might be able to do better, I'll take it back in and have the flatwounds put on it and adjusted. I think the only way to find what I like best is to experiment. :-)

And thanks for the hello!
 
#206
Kharkfum said:
I don't think a member number is required, but I'd still like to have one. LOL I'm a new member to the forum, and got my BT Jazz about a week ago. Getting it set up soon, and switching it over to flat wounds for sure. But I see a lot of discussion here about modding the pots and capacitor to give it more tonal flexibility. I'm looking to get a J-Bass/Rickenbacker trebly sound, but would still like the flexibility to get closer to a P-sound if wanted. Any suggestions? Thanks for any advice you guys can offer.
Click to expand...

I built mine from parts.
The electronics and pups are original, but I replaced the stock capacitor with a .022 uF Orange Drop. It gives it a jazzier sound, but still goes low if needed.
I also have Fender flats on it. These are great for this bass. I had Slinky's on it originally, but the flats give it more presence. I am using their .050 to .100 set, I wish they made a .045 to .095 set. But if you play with a pick the heavier set would be a better choice.
Also if you pay to have it setup with rounds, then decide on flats, you are going to have to pay to get it setup again for flats because it will require a truss tweak more than likely.
 
#207
What's up fellow blacktop owners. I have just ordered my blacktop jazz and am expecting delivery tomorrow.:hyper: I was planning on replacing the string with half rounds. Specifically, D'addario ENR71. I've played this bass with the stock strings but I am interested in hearing what you guys think. Thanks.

BTW - Can I get a number now and post a pic once my bass arrives or do I have to post pic? Thanks.
 
#209
Thanks so much for all the great feedback, friends. It can actually make the decisions harder, but knowledge is power, and that's always good. ;)
I've decided to replace the stock Fender strings with a set of Rotosound Swing Bass strings, medium gauge, round-wound stainless steel. I'll have the action and setup adjusted accordingly. I think that will give me exactly what I'm looking for in terms of a nice, bright trebly sound with a ton of punch, but still capable of a decent P-bass sound if desired. I'll probably try the flat-wounds at some point, just not right away. I'm curious to hear what they do to the sound of the bass. But either way, it'll be a ton of fun to find out. LOL
 
#210
Kharkfum said:
Thanks so much for all the great feedback, friends. It can actually make the decisions harder, but knowledge is power, and that's always good. ;)
I've decided to replace the stock Fender strings with a set of Rotosound Swing Bass strings, medium gauge, round-wound stainless steel. I'll have the action and setup adjusted accordingly. I think that will give me exactly what I'm looking for in terms of a nice, bright trebly sound with a ton of punch, but still capable of a decent P-bass sound if desired. I'll probably try the flat-wounds at some point, just not right away. I'm curious to hear what they do to the sound of the bass. But either way, it'll be a ton of fun to find out. LOL
Click to expand...

Happy modding!
 
#212
Rich McCoy said:
I built mine from parts.
The electronics and pups are original, but I replaced the stock capacitor with a .022 uF Orange Drop. It gives it a jazzier sound, but still goes low if needed.
I also have Fender flats on it. These are great for this bass. I had Slinky's on it originally, but the flats give it more presence. I am using their .050 to .100 set, I wish they made a .045 to .095 set. But if you play with a pick the heavier set would be a better choice.
Also if you pay to have it setup with rounds, then decide on flats, you are going to have to pay to get it setup again for flats because it will require a truss tweak more than likely.
Click to expand...

Hey, Rich! I just sent you a PM about this. ;)
 
#213
I just got my BT and she looks GREAT (see pics). I have decided to go with La Bella 760FL on this one so I am going to keep stock strings on until they arrive.

BTW - Can I have a number please? Thank you
 

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#215
I'm flattered that you'd ask, but I also travel quite a lot for work. Sadly, it's not gigging all over the country, but I'm almost always in transit. That's why my posts tend to "cluster" as I do a flurry of them when I get a chance. So I'm afraid I can't take on this responsibility…at least, not in my current situation. However, I'm not so cruel as to leave you hanging out to dry. I'll field this round for you, 'kay. Consider the Pomp & Circumstance to be my way of saying, "thanks" and "my god, I need to get some sleep".

So, without any further ado…

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Pray attend, my Lords and Ladies! In the name of Leo, Saint Lee and Saint Levin…I grant you the right to bear numbers of the Hallowed Order of Blacktop Owners!

Arise, Tom-Phil…Number 18!

Arise, TimboZ…Number 19!

Arise, Rabidrasbora…Number 20!

Arise, Karkfum…Number 21! (Blacktop Blackjack? Is that even a thing?!)

Arise, TheOnlyJuan…Number 22!

Go forth and display your numbers with pride to the accompaniment of the PHAT-BEATZ of the Angels!

MP87 and Jookbox; The rules are simple and clear. No pics…no bass…no number.

rstellar13; Let us know if you change your mind and decide to keep that delicious P-bass. There will be a number waiting for you.



So, um…how was that S.V.?
 
#216
And for the record, here's the current and complete roster so far…at least, I think it is. Someone please correct me if I missed someone.

#1 StrangerDanger
#2 ShadowVampyre
#3 Fair Warning
#4 unclebass
#5 StephenDaRacket
#6 Johnnywad
#7 hillerup
#8 Auspex
#9 Paradog
#10 VoodooMagicBoas
#11 emdsd
#12 Mmoore2490
#13 Malak the Mad
#14 Rich McCoy
#15 Fernandino
#16 Plectrum72
#17 Aetheriac
#18 Tom-Phil
#19 TimboZ
#20 Rabidrasbora
#21 Karkfum
#22 TheOnlyJuan
 
#220
Jookbox said:
Here's mine. I upgraded to Hipshot tuners. Will probably get a new pickguard.
Click to expand...

And while I'm back in town;

I ain't got no dime to put in the Jookbox, baby…so you'll just have to settle for Number 23. Enjoy your shiny new Prime Number! :cool:

What kind of pickguard were you thinking about? There's a lot that can go nicely with a black body. Also, which model Hipshots did you put on? The ones specifically for MIMs?
 

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