• 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.

NBD Steve Harris MIJ

Which strings?

  • Rotosound Jazz

    Votes: 3 12.5%

  • Rotosound Steve Harris

    Votes: 18 75.0%

  • Slinky Flatwounds

    Votes: 1 4.2%

  • Other

    Votes: 2 8.3%
  • Total voters
    24
Mo cowbell

Mo cowbell

Mar 2, 2017
370
728
Colorado
#1
Been gassing for one of these for years. Finally found one and happy so far I did. Plays better than expected and looks great IMO.

Could use input on flatwound strings for her. I'm normally a roundwound dude but want to get the total Steve vibe thing going.
20190821_134735.jpg
20190821_134757.jpg
20190821_134740.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tricaptain, Shaggai, G-Z and 11 others
#11
led4thehed2 said:
Steve uses Rotosound jazz flats, and his "signature" set is nothing more than a heavy gauge jazz set with West Ham colored silk windings. A brand new set absolutely nails his tone. I used a light gauge and it still sounds like him.
Click to expand...

I didn't want to do too much setup. It had light gauge jazz so I went with the 105's. Would like the other color winding you mention as the red is meh. I adjusted for the added tension and it plays like a dream.

BTW... nice bass led4thehed2.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: led4thehed2 and MynameisMe
#12
Mo cowbell said:
Could use input on flatwound strings for her. I'm normally a roundwound dude but want to get the total Steve vibe thing going.
Click to expand...

A little bit late i know. I am also roundwound guy. As mentioned above, Roto Flats and SH strings are the same with different gauges. I am sure you can get the SH tones out of 45-105 Roto flats either, which are less stiff and lighter in gauge, which makes playing easier for me at least.

SH vibe also depends on your fingers and position. Steve indeed likes his strings brighter, he gets his strings changed after every gig.

HeavyJazz said:
Heavy?
Click to expand...

I think its not that heavy by itself. The badass II bridge and chrome pickguard contribute in the weight, so thats why its heavier than the standard P basses.

The weight does a notable difference in the white one however. As far as i know most of the mid 70s era basses were that heavy. As Steve's main bass is also one of them (the bass that he uses 99 percent of the time), they produced it with the same specs.
 
#14
Shaggai said:
They "let" you add the football club sticker yourself? That could be an unused selling point for those who probably would buy one but didn't want a sticker on their bass.
Click to expand...

Putting a permanent football club sticker on the bass mostly limited the customer range i agree on that. However some people prefer it, because the bass genuinely looks like the bass he uses 99 percent of the time.

For me, i bought it because it was the only P bass with 70s era specs that i have seen in my country :roflmao: I even thought of a recolor work for the body. Then i changed my mind because i am not sure the luthiers here are capable of getting the job done properly, also it might change the tone significantly.

The previously released MIJ royal blue bass is more of a 50s Fender reissue P bass with chrome pickguard and badass II bridge. Only the visual resemblance and a signature behind the headstock makes the blue one a SH signature bass and Fender says so. ;)

So.. If they release the same bass with royal blue sparkle option and it would sell much better i guess.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mo cowbell
#17
skaine said:
Putting a permanent football club sticker on the bass mostly limited the customer range i agree on that. However some people prefer it, because the bass genuinely looks like the bass he uses 99 percent of the time.

So.. If they release the same bass with royal blue sparkle option and it would sell much better i guess.
Click to expand...

I love the look of the white with the blue pinstripe. I just couldn’t do the Westham personally cuz I know nothing about that sport.

I had a lead on a sparkle blue earlier this year but wasn’t quick enough to land it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: skaine
#19
Mo cowbell said:
I love the look of the white with the blue pinstripe. I just couldn’t do the Westham personally cuz I know nothing about that sport.

I had a lead on a sparkle blue earlier this year but wasn’t quick enough to land it.
Click to expand...

Sparkle blue one is more popular because of the color i guess. I think they released that bass in order to use and sell the excess of 50s reissue P bass necks they produced before. SH bass has nor 50s neck and neither alder body. Of course i am not denying its also a good sounding bass. And yes, Fender is good at marketting.

You got a nice and also hard to find bass as well. Happy galloping Iron Maiden bass lines :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mo cowbell
#20
HeavyJazz said:
Heavy?
Click to expand...
Actually, not terribly heavy! I think that the newest (white) SH Bass is reportedly very heavy. This one is not too heavy at all. I LOVE it; plays really well.

Pardons; I'm chiming in, because I own/play one... and I'm in an Iron Maiden tribute band.
;p

Cheers, you guys!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mo cowbell

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back