SG & EB Bass Club

[ajkula66]

My intent on switching to flats on the SG was really about trying to learn how to play with a pic.

Unfortunately, that ship has sailed for me. Due to a wrist injury from a decade ago that was not treated properly, I had to completely restructure my RH technique, which was probably a good thing. TBT, I always was a fingerstyle player, even on electric guitar. However, now I'm at the point where 15-20 minutes of playing with the pick - or 10 minutes of proper slapping - cause pain and discomfort, so there's that...

There's just something magic about flats and a pick on old school rock and roll.

Indeed there is. That's why I'm encouraging my bass-playing-son to learn all the techniques that are available to him.

 

[GBassNorth]

Roto 77s were surprisingly bright. I am a diehard La Bella guy, have been for years now. But, last year I searched for greener grass. I didn't find any, but I ended up testing pretty much all flats, a few half rounds, a set of Black Beauties (fun strings), and some rounds for kicks. After a few hundred dollars, I ended up where I began, my SG strung with La Bella .49/.109. Coulda bought a new bass rather than all these dang strings. But, long story short, Rotos weren't bad. I'd say they were a subdued Chrome lacking in the deep gut punch department. Still, I wouldn't mind putting them on a P Bass. I could see them doing well there.

So which la Bella strings are you using?

 

[ProgressiveDoom]

The grabbiness of flats usually goes away. But, even if not, humans adapt remarkably well. If after 100 hours you're fumbling around then maybe flats aren't for you, though. Give them a legitimate shot. Try to figure them out. They may change the way you play for the better which could be useful to translate over to rounds.

I tried switching to rounds very briefly about two months ago. I could barely play them because the finger noise was like nails on a chalkboard. So, back to flats.

Yes exactly!, finger noise. There are delicate intro's to a few of my bands songs where it is just me playing and its the finger noise that I have a real hard time masking. I am looking forward to these strings eliminating the noise for sure, the one thing I was counting on with a flatwound if nothing else.

 

[aproud1]

Roto 77s were surprisingly bright. I am a diehard La Bella guy, have been for years now. But, last year I searched for greener grass. I didn't find any, but I ended up testing pretty much all flats, a few half rounds, a set of Black Beauties (fun strings), and some rounds for kicks. After a few hundred dollars, I ended up where I began, my SG strung with La Bella .49/.109. Coulda bought a new bass rather than all these dang strings. But, long story short, Rotos weren't bad. I'd say they were a subdued Chrome lacking in the deep gut punch department. Still, I wouldn't mind putting them on a P Bass. I could see them doing well there.

I liked the Rotosounds on my SG but had some issues with even output between strings. On a recommendation I tried Diadarrio tapewounds and love them. Much more even.

I thought Labella 760FL's and Pyramid flats were great for the SG as well.

 

[hogman22]

Here is my SG Bass. Great player. Can I have a number please?

 

[aproud1]

Here is my SG Bass. Great player. Can I have a number please?View attachment 2903646

That's got to sound good.

 

[hogman22]

That's got to sound good.

I am very happy with it. Tone for days and days.

 

[Member8675309]

So which la Bella strings are you using?

I use Deep Talkin' Flats, .49-.109. They are a pain with picks. Too heavy, and require too much muscle. Lighter gauges are much, much easier to play with a pick. Kind of a trade off for me, unfortunately. The heavier gauge is great for my heavy hands, but suffer in the pick department. I use heavy picks (V-Pick Mummy), or I'll use leather. The leather is a bit easier, but a bit flimsy with heavy strings.

I tried all LaBella gauges but .39 through whatever. I also tried LaBella Black tapes, .50, and they sounded beautiful. They were probably the prettiest string I tried on the short scale. They didn't last long though, the tension was like wet noodles. When I tuned them up the first time, I said to myself, "That can't be right." I had to ease off the truss rod.....completely.

 

[Member8675309]

I liked the Rotosounds on my SG but had some issues with even output between strings. On a recommendation I tried Diadarrio tapewounds and love them. Much more even.

I thought Labella 760FL's and Pyramid flats were great for the SG as well.

The problem with flats is they sound incredibly uneven at first. This seems to be the case with all of them, with some being more even than others in the beginning. My string search had one major flaw, I didn't let any of the flats age beyond a month. Word is that a year is their optimal point. I don't know about all that, but they do sound more and more fantastic with the years.

 

[aproud1]

The problem with flats is they sound incredibly uneven at first. This seems to be the case with all of them, with some being more even than others in the beginning. My string search had one major flaw, I didn't let any of the flats age beyond a month. Word is that a year is their optimal point. I don't know about all that, but they do sound more and more fantastic with the years.

I agree. I try to give new flats at least 6 weeks. Chromes are one notable exception. New chromes just don't feel right to me and I end up just avoiding whatever bass they are on. I've played several basses with broken in chromes that sounded and played great. I just don't have the patience to get there I guess.

 

[Member8675309]

I agree. I try to give new flats at least 6 weeks. Chromes are one notable exception. New chromes just don't feel right to me and I end up just avoiding whatever bass they are on. I've played several basses with broken in chromes that sounded and played great. I just don't have the patience to get there I guess.

I don't know what people see in Chromes. They are a good string, sound good and all, nice tension, but nothing too special. I didn't let them age either, two weeks, so maybe I missed something. Every single shop in this area carries Chromes, so I suppose a lot of bassists in Nashville love them.

 

[ProgressiveDoom]

Here is my SG Bass. Great player. Can I have a number please?View attachment 2903646

Beautiful setup Dude, I'll get you a number by tonight

 

[Eon Sky]

1972 (?) Gibson EB-3. 9 years older than me and the bass I learned to play on when I was 16.

 

[ajkula66]

1972 (?) Gibson EB-3. 9 years older than me and the bass I learned to play on when I was 16.

An interesting "transition" piece you have..."old" (Tilt-O-Matic) bridge combined with the "new" neck pickup position. Late '72 or early '73 sounds about right for such an instrument.

 

[Eon Sky]

An interesting "transition" piece you have..."old" (Tilt-O-Matic) bridge combined with the "new" neck pickup position. Late '72 or early '73 sounds about right for such an instrument.

Thank you for the info. My research, especially serial number stuff, has been all over the map regarding age.

 

[ajkula66]

Thank you for the info.

You're very welcome. Always happy to help a fellow EB owner if I can.

My research, especially serial number stuff, has been all over the map regarding age.

Yes, the lovely world of Gibson's re-used/recycled/confusing serials. The gift that keeps on giving...

For anything Gibson older than '77 one must have a pretty good idea of what they're looking at first before they can attempt to decipher the SN nonsense, at least IME...and even that approach can leave one confused in certain sets of circumstances.

 

[ajkula66]

What other Mudbucker pickups are out there beside the Dimarzio? The goal is wider range sound on the mudbucker.

There was a Bartolini replacement pickup, but these have been out of production for a very long time. I'd be interested in grabbing one myself if I could find a working used example...

 

[ProgressiveDoom]

Welcome to our club @hogman22 !. You are number #98. Please feel free to post anything EB or SG related here including audio or video.

 

[ProgressiveDoom]

Were getting close to member #100. @Paul LF it seems I missed you a few pages back, would you like a number?.

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PlanZero #103
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ProgressiveDoom #420
Dr_Feelgood212 #667

 

[ProgressiveDoom]

1972 (?) Gibson EB-3. 9 years older than me and the bass I learned to play on when I was 16.

View attachment 2903701

Very nice, would you like a club number?.