They are both round core strings with a looser/softer feel.They are also both nickel wrapped,smooth and warm sounding.The DR Sunbeams are close to a "standard" feeling roundwound tension wise and sound great on this Jaguar shortscale,warm and clear.The Thomastiks are their own unique beast,I haven't tried them on this bass,but they are very light and flexible,along with being very warm and full,with a feel all their own....pricey,but worth it...if you like them....they both last,and sound great,for a long time.
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They are both round core strings with a looser/softer feel.They are also both nickel wrapped,smooth and warm sounding.The DR Sunbeams are close to a "standard" feeling roundwound tension wise and sound great on this Jaguar shortscale,warm and clear.The Thomastiks are their own unique beast,I haven't tried them on this bass,but they are very light and flexible,along with being very warm and full,with a feel all their own....pricey,but worth it...if you like them....they both last,and sound great,for a long time.
So, I'm really having trouble deciding on strings. Wondered if you guys can help.
The stock strings, tension-wise, are perfect. I've got the action and relief set right where I want them and this is probably the best playing bass I ever owned.
But, these strings are a bit bleugh tonally. I'm going to be replacing the pickups with Dimarzio model p/j in the next couple of weeks, so want something that, combined with those, is going to give me a nice fat warm sound, but with the same sort of tension and flexibility. And if I don't have to adjust the neck, even better. I feel like I'll never get it this good again haha!
Any suggestions?
The stock strings, tension-wise, are perfect. I've got the action and relief set right where I want them and this is probably the best playing bass I ever owned.
But, these strings are a bit bleugh tonally. I'm going to be replacing the pickups with Dimarzio model p/j in the next couple of weeks, so want something that, combined with those, is going to give me a nice fat warm sound, but with the same sort of tension and flexibility. And if I don't have to adjust the neck, even better. I feel like I'll never get it this good again haha!
Any suggestions?
Mine's been stable so far. Purchased in early March of this year. Has 2012 serial number. Normal setup and adjustments with new strings (D'Addario Half rounds)within 2 weeks of purchase. Made it through the Midwest summer with no neck adjustment. Really haven't done anything other than tune it, play it and wipe finger prints off black body. Since the weather is getting late fall / early winter wacky I'm waiting to see what happens. So far so good. Maybe I'm lucky. Sometimes it's hard to believe I got this great of a bass for so little money.
Mine's been stable so far. Purchased in early March of this year. Has 2012 serial number. Normal setup and adjustments with new strings (D'Addario Half rounds)within 2 weeks of purchase. Made it through the Midwest summer with no neck adjustment. Really haven't done anything other than tune it, play it and wipe finger prints off black body. Since the weather is getting late fall / early winter wacky I'm waiting to see what happens. So far so good. Maybe I'm lucky. Sometimes it's hard to believe I got this great of a bass for so little money.
How do you like the tone of the half rounds? I'll have to check to see if I can get them in heavy gauge.
I've been playing my SS so much lately that when I picked up my 34' scale fretless, I was off position for about 3 minutes before I could get things right again.
The Invalid Link Removed seem to be only offered in 45 - 100 for short scale.
I'd describe the tone of the half rounds as "balanced old school". A little less top than Chromes with real solid fundamental thump. If that makes any sense at all. I clean the sticky manufacturing crud off the strings with sting cleaner and a scotch brite pad before installing. They feel very similar to flats. I use half rounds on my Jag SS and a G&L L2000 (still sounds modern but not harsh).
I agree it is very easy to get used to a scale length. I try not to go too many days without switching between 30 and 34.
Here are some sound samples of the Jag SS with half round strings (bass full left, band full right).
01 Bridge pup finger style
02Neck pup finger style
03 Both pup finger style
04 Bridge pup pick style
05 Neck pup pick style
06 Both pup pick style
Hope someone finds this useful.
Well, I've well and truly broken in the bass, and sidelined a little fun money, so time to get modding.
Has anyone tried replacing the j-pup with a Fender Custom Shop 60's J-Bass pickup? I heard one of these on a full scale jazz in a comparison video, and it seemed to blow away the competition when soloed on the bridge.
I was going to get a red tort pickguard, but it seems Invalid Link Removed, so to speak. Does anyone know another supplier?
Has anyone tried replacing the j-pup with a Fender Custom Shop 60's J-Bass pickup? I heard one of these on a full scale jazz in a comparison video, and it seemed to blow away the competition when soloed on the bridge.
I was going to get a red tort pickguard, but it seems Invalid Link Removed, so to speak. Does anyone know another supplier?
Do you have a luthier in your area? What I've done for two replacement pick guards is get a blank sheet of material and let him make one from the old one.
There is another company that makes guards from your original, but can't remember the name. Google custom pick guard and you will find it and I'm sure others.
Good luck on the mods, they are one of the best basses out there to turn into something unique for relatively little money.
There is another company that makes guards from your original, but can't remember the name. Google custom pick guard and you will find it and I'm sure others.
Good luck on the mods, they are one of the best basses out there to turn into something unique for relatively little money.
Thanks, I've dropped some mails to a few local luthiers. Would be nice to avoid shipping charges to/from NZ, but they may be unavoidable.
Splashed out for a Invalid Link Removed to replace the anaemic default J-pup. Am I right that as a Fender single-coil, this should be a straightforward replacement - just re-create the original wiring pattern with the new pup, no extras required?
Also, is there anything else that's worth doing while I have the hood up, to save trouble later? Replacing the jack?
Splashed out for a Invalid Link Removed to replace the anaemic default J-pup. Am I right that as a Fender single-coil, this should be a straightforward replacement - just re-create the original wiring pattern with the new pup, no extras required?
Also, is there anything else that's worth doing while I have the hood up, to save trouble later? Replacing the jack?
Another easy mod is changing from VVT to VBT. I'm a big fan of Volume/Blend/Tone. Think it gives you more control over your sound.
Another change that I did to one of mine is changing out the tone pot for a StellarTone DualTone. This is not their newer DuoTone, which I put in my Gibson Thunderbird SS along with the blend knob. It is an older offering from them. Does the same thing though. Controls both pickups from one tone control. Not listed on their site, but available if you call or email them. Let's you choose your caps for each pickup, I love it on my Jag SS. Cost about $20, and IMO worth every penny. They also look good with an ashtray over the bridge, body just lends itself to this classic upgrade. Thumbrest is another easy and inexpensive addition.
Another change that I did to one of mine is changing out the tone pot for a StellarTone DualTone. This is not their newer DuoTone, which I put in my Gibson Thunderbird SS along with the blend knob. It is an older offering from them. Does the same thing though. Controls both pickups from one tone control. Not listed on their site, but available if you call or email them. Let's you choose your caps for each pickup, I love it on my Jag SS. Cost about $20, and IMO worth every penny. They also look good with an ashtray over the bridge, body just lends itself to this classic upgrade. Thumbrest is another easy and inexpensive addition.
Hmm, trying to check the Fender page for the Jag SS to confirm some specs, and I find it seems to have vanished completely in the last day or so.
The shorty is also missing from the Invalid Link Removed page.
Temporary blip, or have we just been discontinued?
The shorty is also missing from the Invalid Link Removed page.
Temporary blip, or have we just been discontinued?
The J pup route should take any standard J sized replacement. The DiMarzio Model J replacement I bought just fit right in, so unless Fender did something funny with the size of that Custom Shop 60 pup you should be fine.
Disclaimer: I could be wrong.
Disclaimer: I could be wrong.
From what I've seen the only one that doesn't fit perfectly is the Alumitone. You have to do a little filing because they are a little squarer than standard.
Going for a 4-ply 60s style red tort guard from Pickguardian - good comms, fair prices and a very good rep here on TB. It does mean posting my original guard all the way from NZ, so I guess I'll have to make a temporary replacement out of cardboard or plastic.
My question around the j-pup was more about the wiring than the route. I was naively assuming it would fit!
Regarding pots, I think my brain likes VVT, nice and simple. Pondering replacing the knobs with P-Bass knurled ones, but the plastic ones have the advantage of being easier to read.
TBH, I think these two mods will keep me happy for a while. I'll post pics when it's all done.
My question around the j-pup was more about the wiring than the route. I was naively assuming it would fit!
Regarding pots, I think my brain likes VVT, nice and simple. Pondering replacing the knobs with P-Bass knurled ones, but the plastic ones have the advantage of being easier to read.
TBH, I think these two mods will keep me happy for a while. I'll post pics when it's all done.
