Stoner/Doom Bassists Thread, Part 90: Maxed Out

[xJasonSmithx]

I would get it to a tech before further damage is done.

So a random issue came up and I’m not quite sure how to fix it. I recently left my tube amp on standby mode for about 4 hours accidentally and now the amp won’t turn on. Everytime I do the amp goes into protect mode and shuts down the tubes. The bias levels all indicate they are too low and even when adjusting the levels it stays that way. I’ve switched out cables and signal paths and nothing changes. I do leave the amp in the garage and since its summer its quite hot. Could that be impacting the tubes and causing it to shut off? And if so, is that why the bias is still too low?

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Bass Intrigue]

That’s what I was worried about. Good thing Canadian engineering knows to have safeguards.

 

[scabpicker]

I'd figure if the heat would do anything, it'd cause a cap to leak out. So yeah, I'd pay a bench fee to make sure everything was good before I did anything else.

 

[Novarocker]

Hail seitan!

Had to look that up, but was laughing my ass off after!

@eyeballkid fret wear can be bad on some basses. I'd just end up regretting with harder frets.

 

[lizardking837]

Hey guys,
Any advice for tuning to D-standard or string recommendations?

 

[Jolagh]

Hey guys,
Any advice for tuning to D-standard or string recommendations?

for d standard id probably just use a standard 105 set.

 

[lizardking837]

for d standard id probably just use a standard 105 set.

Thank you! Wouldn't the strings be floppy? Or noticeably more so than a 110 or 115 set?

 

[Jolagh]

Thank you! Wouldn't the strings be floppy? Or noticeably more so than a 110 or 115 set?

Just kind of depends on your preferences. I use a custom set for drop b tuning and its a super pain to keep stock because i have to custom order them anytime i want strings. So id rather use a readily available set if i could. Im not sure of the availabolity of 115 sets. Most od what i see are standard 105 or 110 sets.

 

[socialleper]

Hey guys,
Any advice for tuning to D-standard or string recommendations?

A good hex core set of 105s could work. DR Lo Riders, D'Addrio, Ernie Ball. A heavier D and G might serve you well here.
If you want a tigher response then a 110 set is what you want. Personally I find 115s a little too heavy. Then I would gravitate toward a round core like some High Beams, Sun Beams, or Dunlop Brights.
I don't like super stiff strings and like a little buzz when I dig in. If you are after a more fundamental tone, some 110s in the sets I mentioned first might work for you.

 

[oZZma]

A good hex core set of 105s could work. DR Lo Riders, D'Addrio, Ernie Ball. A heavier D and G might serve you well here.
If you want a tigher response then a 110 set is what you want. Personally I find 115s a little too heavy. Then I would gravitate toward a round core like some High Beams, Sun Beams, or Dunlop Brights.
I don't like super stiff strings and like a little buzz when I dig in. If you are after a more fundamental tone, some 110s in the sets I mentioned first might work for you.

Why would you suggest a heavier G? Isn't the G the string with the highest tension?

 

[socialleper]

Why would you suggest a heavier G? Isn't the G the string with the highest tension?

A .45 G and .65 D tuned down F and C feel very loose to me. To my ear, a lose E tuned to D sounds better than a loose G tuned to F. Although when tuned to G, a .50 is a little much for me. It seems like those higher strings are more quickly impacted by tuning and gauge.
That's just my take.

 

[bassboysam]

it also depends on whether or not you want to sound "downtuned", the floppier strings will have a different tone, more fret buzz and a different clang than a standard tuning. if you want to have the same tone as your standard tuning but just lower pitch then go with a heavier guage to keep the same tension or similar tension.

 

[lizardking837]

A good hex core set of 105s could work. DR Lo Riders, D'Addrio, Ernie Ball. A heavier D and G might serve you well here.
If you want a tigher response then a 110 set is what you want. Personally I find 115s a little too heavy. Then I would gravitate toward a round core like some High Beams, Sun Beams, or Dunlop Brights.
I don't like super stiff strings and like a little buzz when I dig in. If you are after a more fundamental tone, some 110s in the sets I mentioned first might work for you.

Thank you very much. I was leaning towards Power Slinkys. I think I'd probably want to stick closer to a fundamental tone for now, to get a better feel for the tuning.

 

[lizardking837]

it also depends on whether or not you want to sound "downtuned", the floppier strings will have a different tone, more fret buzz and a different clang than a standard tuning. if you want to have the same tone as your standard tuning but just lower pitch then go with a heavier guage to keep the same tension or similar tension.

Gotcha. I think for now I'll be looking to avoid a lot of fret buzz and keep a similar tone overall.

 

[socialleper]

Thank you very much. I was leaning towards Power Slinkys. I think I'd probably want to stick closer to a fundamental tone for now, to get a better feel for the tuning.

Those are a solid choice. Despite being a "cheaper" string, I like the tone of EB. They are a little stiffer and tougher on the fingers, but they are the backup to my string of choice, DRs.

 

[br1qbat]

If I were you I'd just downtune your current strings first and see if you like the sound/feel. I'd probably just go up to a .115 set if you don't like the .105s at D tuning.

FWIW I play in C standard and have ended up with a 5 string set of chromes (discarding the highest string). So its a BEAD bass tuned a half a step up. I play hard though. That set has a massive .130 C string.

 

[oZZma]

That set has a massive .130 C string.

Jeeesus.
My Kramer came with a set like that, the force needed was so frustrating, I changed them immediately

 

[gfen]

I can't imagine tuning chromes up, they're already tighter than.. uhm...something tight.

 

[Mordamir]

Hey guys,
Any advice for tuning to D-standard or string recommendations?

My Spector has a set of D'Addario EXL160BT 120-90-67-50 and I go back and forth between C and D standard on it. I'm really happy with that set of strings.

 

[Mordamir]

Jeeesus.
My Kramer came with a set like that, the force needed was so frustrating, I changed them immediately

I had a .140 on my Dean, it was killing my fingers but it sounded so good, it was drop A though. My current project, which I hope to have painted this weekend, is getting a .125 set.