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.
Double Bass GUTS ARE SO MUCH FUN!!!
- Thread starter Marc Piane
- Start date
I'm wondering if I should just now start to oil these Gamuts. They've gotten just a little gnarly, though I could knock it back with a little attention with some fine sandpaper. I'm just lazy in that regard, I guess. I have to think that the factory varnish that Dan put on 'em is gone by now. They sound so good, I dunno if I want to do anything. The copper wound E & A are brilliant. I couldn't ask for a more beautiful sound down there. The D & G sound amazing too, I just need to take some of the speed bumps off, I think. Problem is, I never remember it until I'm about three tunes into a gig.
I keep trying to find excuses to buy new ones to replace this well used freebie gift set... but damn, they're good.
One thing's for sure... if any of these strings break, you'll hear my heart breaking along with it, all over the world.
I should probably put up a Perna-esque-freestyle vid too.... I have one of those doomed Flip Vidcams around here somewhere.
I keep trying to find excuses to buy new ones to replace this well used freebie gift set... but damn, they're good.
One thing's for sure... if any of these strings break, you'll hear my heart breaking along with it, all over the world.
I should probably put up a Perna-esque-freestyle vid too.... I have one of those doomed Flip Vidcams around here somewhere.
If either of your strings break, I can have another one out to you overnight via Fedex so your heart would be broken for only a very short time.
Do the freestyle thing!
You are the dude.
The other night, at my regular gig, the piano player was back late from a break (imagine that), so I just ripped off an off-the-cuff "I Mean You", not really thinking that anyone was even paying attention. But it kinda went over pretty well. That works well for that sort of thing.
I realized after posting this and then re-watching your video that I never play like that. I just meant that guts make me want to play what I play ridiculously fast and, if I can say so, sound pretty good doing it. Your post made me want to slow down your stuff and actually hear what you are doing. Since that wasn't an option I just went to Scotty and slowed down his solo to Gloria's Step... I can't believe how slow I have to get that to hear it.... Thanks for the inspiration, I've never approached a SLF solo. It's a wonder of construction and facility.
- Mar 8, 2011
- 12,232
- 51,187
- Disclosures
- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
Ahh, everytime I read this thread I miss my Gamuts.
Then I remember that Mississippi 90% of the year is so damn hot and humid, remember the pain of those outdoor gigs in the Delta where my fingers seemed glued to the strings at times....then I go in my music room and kiss my EP Weich/ Olivs.
Nothing sounds like 'em though.....
Then I remember that Mississippi 90% of the year is so damn hot and humid, remember the pain of those outdoor gigs in the Delta where my fingers seemed glued to the strings at times....then I go in my music room and kiss my EP Weich/ Olivs.
Nothing sounds like 'em though.....
Dave's favorite brand is the same as my favorite brand of backstage beer...free
Free is good!
The thing is, even on the cheap/free gut set-up, Dave sounds as good as anyone I've heard.
- Mar 8, 2011
- 12,232
- 51,187
- Disclosures
- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
Dave is the real deal, for sure...I'm filming a documentary film about slap bass as we speak, and Dave is featured heavily.
Question. My guts are getting hairy. I doesn't bother me though. Is there a reason, other than aesthetic, to clip and sand?
- Mar 8, 2011
- 12,232
- 51,187
- Disclosures
- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
They can start to sound kinda funny, and feel weird under the fingers...that's why I would clip and sand...I don't do it as much as I should, but some folks swear by almond oil and I've heard lemon oil, applied to the strings to avoid fraying
Sanding and clipping never seemed to solve my troubles. The lighter trick (running a flame quickly over them) seemed to work perfectly for me.
I might try the lighter thing. I sanded once and had hairs again within hours. Plus it seems quicker and easier.
I use almond oil to clean them.
I use almond oil to clean them.
Greg Clinkingbeard
Commercial User
My experience with the lighter was that it shortened the hairs but made them thicker, like a very stiff beard. Sanding and oiling made them as good as new. The problem for me is that they grew back during the first or second set.
The lighter to knock 'em down, the sandpaper to finish 'em off. Just used almond oil for the first time, pretty nice.
- Mar 8, 2011
- 12,232
- 51,187
- Disclosures
- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
Yep. I use the lighter trick at soundchecks sometimes, just to keep moving, but later you want to sand the little hump it can create. Redid my bridge yesterday...lowered my action quite a bit...tricky stuff...high action is loud and bassy, which I like, but can become too woofy/undefined and hard to play...lower action is fast and snappy, but at the expense of volume and low end...Mine are now too low
