I don't know how to describe it, except to say that it had a dynamic life to the attack and decay that was definitely not magnetic. It sounded completely organic compared to the other two bass tones, and was very appealing to me.
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Show Us Your Rob Allen Basses Part IV
- Thread starter smperry
- Start date
I don't know how to describe it, except to say that it had a dynamic life to the attack and decay that was definitely not magnetic. It sounded completely organic compared to the other two bass tones, and was very appealing to me.
I used the Rotosound RS88s exclusively until a few years ago on both of my RA Deep 4s, and am now using the Galli G77. In fact, the RS88 was generally my go-to set for fretless basses since the 90s. I tried the LaBellas once (blech on sound and feel). A few of my Precision Fretless basses have also used my standard RS77LE set.
The G77 set has been on about two years now so I have enough of an opinion after years of RS88 use. I can tell you that both the RS88 and G77 are good matches with a Deep. Both are not bad with the mag pickup on the second Deep 4 (first didn't have one), but I would agree that this bass sings more with the piezo. If I'm being honest, I prefer the higher tension of the RS88s but the sound of the G77s is more upright-y.
I would also +1 on the piezon-on-EB. I've tried a few, notably when they did them on the StingRay 4 and it sounded like a StingRay.
I'm not sure if it's a "split piezo" per se, but just a split bridge that he's been using for awhile now. Last time I visited his shop down in Hawthorne CA several years back I asked him about this and he said that he now uses the split bridge to help keep output even across all strings. Both my newer Deep 5 and relatively older MB-2 5 string have the split bridge. The piezo element sits underneath the bridge in both basses and is one solid piece under the strings.
Thanks. I'll look into the Galli G77s.
I WAS thinking of putting TI JF's on my Mouse, maybe even up-tuning a 5-string set (like @Chris Fitzgerald does). Technically.... I'm guessing they'd only be tuned up the equivalent of 3 semitones.... (accounting for the 30" vs 34" tension-to-pitch. E tuning on 30" roughly equalling drop-D tuning all strings on 34" scale basses).
I think it depends on what sound you want out of your RA. I have three other basses to give me a P sound
The mag on my D4 I only use occasionally, and even though it is based on a P to a degree, the mag config on my D4 does not sound like my fretless P at all which isn't a bad thing. My P basses all have the RS77LE set. If I'm also being honest, the G77 and PJB combo has gotten me more compliments on my sound than I ever have. Take that for what it's worth. People liked the D4 with the RS88s, but really love it with the G77s.
I don't like TI strings - but many do. The nice thing about strings is they are relatively easy to change so it's an easy thing to try.
Couldn't tell you. I don't own an MB2. I've never needed non-standard length strings for either of the Deep 4s I've owned. I've used the RS88LD set with no issue, same with the G77. So assuming the Deep and MB2 are similar, the G77 should be fine on the MB2. Neither D4 ever had LaBella strings, and Rob sent mine with the RS88.
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Up-Tuned my Jazz bass with TI's 3 semitones today, the tension and feel were nice, tone was more focussed, a brighter timbre. Less of that signature TI tone IME.
Down-tuned it 2 semitones to compare & really didn't like it on my Jazz bass. That said, I LOVE the TI's currently on my '67 Coronado.
I think I just want a change from the La Bella's. Maybe even tapes in general.
Might try the Galli's first as they're cheaper.
How do the G77's differ from the RS88's differ from La Bella Tapes? Do they differ that much?
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This is how it starts. For me it started with the high C. I hated the feel and tone of that thin, wimpy C no matter what brand it was. Then just for yuks, I tried tuning up a G. Bam! There was the tone I'd been looking for, and with it came the solid, substantial feel as well. The rest was just chasing the rest of the rabbits down the hole.
I have TI Jazz Flats on a fretless P/Big Man. They sound alright. Not sure if I'd put them on my RA basses. LOL, I suppose that would fix my weak magnetic D string issue, but probably take away from the signature RA tone.
Does anybody have a fretted mouse or mb-2? I love my fretless mouse but have a hard time staying in tune as I have a lot of coordinated dance moves and jumps I'm supposed to be doing.
Is the tone pretty similar between the fretted and fretless? I love the bloom, don't need a lot of mwah
Is the tone pretty similar between the fretted and fretless? I love the bloom, don't need a lot of mwah
Here's the Mouse that I bought in Nov '15 here on Talkbass. I love playing it; it always cheers me up if I'm down. It's so easy to play, it almost feels like cheating and it sounds.. well, you know.
Yes, the G77 is a very different set. I've only tried the LaBellas once (both the tape and the Jamerson sets). I had an instant aversion to both in terms of sound. Just awful to me. The RS88 is a very high tension set, so in terms of feel along with my high action, they're more "stiff". The G77 are lower tension (probably the thing I hate the most about the Galli strings), but due to that, there's some expression you can coax out of them that you can't with the Rotos. The Rotos do have more of a thud, but less bloom.
The clips I posted a few pages back are all done on the D4 with the G77 so you can get an idea of what they sound like.
I'm not sure when it's time to change strings again I'll get another G77 set. I like the sound, but the feel of the RS88s is what I prefer. The RS88s are no slouch for sound, either.
If things lighten up at work, I'll try to post a short clip of the tuned up TI flat set. What kind of groove would be best to give you any information that would be useful? They feel pretty much like playing a short scale horizontal DB.
If things lighten up at work, I'll try to post a short clip of the tuned up TI flat set. What kind of groove would be best to give you any information that would be useful? They feel pretty much like playing a short scale horizontal DB.
Not sure why you quoted me - I am not looking for info on TI flats. Personally, I don't like TI strings at all so it's a non-concern for me. Maybe you meant Groove Doctor?
D'oh! I think I clicked on the wrong post - I got a notification that Groove Doctor had replied to the thread, but your post came after. Sorry! 
Thanks Chris. Mostly playing Big Band stuff at present. Or 3-5 pce Jazz combo when the I get the time. (But any recording with ballpark tone would be greatly appreciated).What kind of groove would be best to give you any information that would be useful? They feel pretty much like playing a short scale horizontal DB.
Swaying towards the TI's as I loved the sound/feel of those TI's I played tuned up on my Jazz bass recently.
I REALLY miss the TI Spiros I had on my URB so probably aiming for that sound. (Tendinitis, switched to Innovation Silver Slaps, but still playing much less DB).
