I use pro steels in a medium for drop A or A-std. They're great strings imo.
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Stoner/Doom Bassists Thread, Part 90: Maxed Out
- Thread starter Korladis
- Start date
Here's another happy DroppeD'Addario Medium user. I use both Stainless and Nickel. Alternatively I also like Medium GHS BassBoomers.
More string talk. I always loved the stiffness of my old Chromes, and one of the things I dislike about my current (dead and soon to be replaced) strings is that they're floppier than I'd like when downtuned to D. Has anybody tried the Cobalt Flats? I hear they're almost as bright as rounds, which intrigues me. If I'm downtuning, I'd like the extra stiffness, and the highs wouldn't be as big of a deal anyway since I'll be lowering the pitch. So - thoughts or experiences, anyone?
Besides the string stuff, I've been playing a lot the past few days, which is nice. Been learning some old Kreator (hence the interest in D standard, as much of their material is in that tuning) and really digging it. Trying NOT to buy too many new things, but just get my skills back up to snuff and take care of what I've already got. After swapping my old Ibby's electronics and loving it, I'm debating doing the same for the bass that needs new strings. May try Audere this time, as they are rather affordable preamps and I hear good things.
This is the song I've been learning by Kreator - love it! Gonna do some more old school stuff too when I get a chance. Black Sunrise is also a favorite, but I learned that one a while ago.
Besides the string stuff, I've been playing a lot the past few days, which is nice. Been learning some old Kreator (hence the interest in D standard, as much of their material is in that tuning) and really digging it. Trying NOT to buy too many new things, but just get my skills back up to snuff and take care of what I've already got. After swapping my old Ibby's electronics and loving it, I'm debating doing the same for the bass that needs new strings. May try Audere this time, as they are rather affordable preamps and I hear good things.
This is the song I've been learning by Kreator - love it! Gonna do some more old school stuff too when I get a chance. Black Sunrise is also a favorite, but I learned that one a while ago.
I love Cobalt flats, but the Chromes feel much stiffer to me. D’Addario lets you order by gauge and has a tension calculator, so you could get thicker ones for downtuning.
I just had a crazy (read - obvious and something I should have tried WAY earlier) thought, so I did it. I downtuned my bass with new-ish D'Addario strings to see how they felt. I actually didn't notice a huge change - and liked the D'Addarios tone downtuned as well. Now I'm wondering if I just simply need new strings on the other bass (no surprise - I DO!) and will see how it sounds after. I bought the bass used 2.5 years ago, and the strings weren't new then, so it's certainly due for new ones. I think these are Slinkys (which I hear go dead fast and sound not so great when they do) based on the colored ball ends. They used to be my go-to strings, but I think D'Addarios have taken their place. Anyway, I think I'm going to get the medium set of D'Addarios for the bass so that when I downtune, the stiffness matches the standard tuned bass fairly closely. Looking forward to this little experiment. Then - in the near future - maybe new preamp?
Sorry I can't help much on the strings questions, I've played Chromes flats for ages exclusively.
In other news, I popped my smaller amp on top of the large Peavey for a basement jam on Friday, and it worked out great. Not any more in actual volume than the PV, but much more audible for me. I like it when something goes right.
In other news, I popped my smaller amp on top of the large Peavey for a basement jam on Friday, and it worked out great. Not any more in actual volume than the PV, but much more audible for me. I like it when something goes right.
NIN at Red Rocks blew my mind. I'm saying, I think Trent Reznor it set Prince of our time: Prolific, works from a singular vision, uncompromising, innovator, consistently amazing lineups, has evolved as an artist, sex appeal...
Co-op Fest in Fort Collins was great and very DIY setup. There was a drum riser in the back shared by all bands, then two stages on trailers in front of the drum riser. It made it so that the drummer was always off to the side and behind everyone else. We played through extension cords plugged into extension cords, into power strips, into extension cords, into into power strips, plugged into into power strips. The one I used was actually pulled off of the ground because the cables from the items already plugged in were so taught. Oh, and the stage and front of house mix were the same and the sound human was new, so no-one could hear on stage, and she only put vocals, kick, and bass through monitor. It wasn't an issue for us, but I don't think any other bands had 100 watt guitar amps. Our drummer played to his click, the guitarist and I played to the drummer, and the singer did his thing. I actually think it went well!
Roger Waters at the Ball Arena tonight... I got nosebleed seats and am bringing my daughters (ages 6 and 9).
Co-op Fest in Fort Collins was great and very DIY setup. There was a drum riser in the back shared by all bands, then two stages on trailers in front of the drum riser. It made it so that the drummer was always off to the side and behind everyone else. We played through extension cords plugged into extension cords, into power strips, into extension cords, into into power strips, plugged into into power strips. The one I used was actually pulled off of the ground because the cables from the items already plugged in were so taught. Oh, and the stage and front of house mix were the same and the sound human was new, so no-one could hear on stage, and she only put vocals, kick, and bass through monitor. It wasn't an issue for us, but I don't think any other bands had 100 watt guitar amps. Our drummer played to his click, the guitarist and I played to the drummer, and the singer did his thing. I actually think it went well!
Roger Waters at the Ball Arena tonight... I got nosebleed seats and am bringing my daughters (ages 6 and 9).
I will echo what JES mentioned in that Cobalts are easier to bend. They are surprisingly bright but since you need that stiffness the Chromes will be a better fit.
Thanks. I'm thinking maybe another, thicker set of rounds at the moment. I downtuned my current (only 2 month old) strings on a different bass and they sound great, and the stiffness was okay. I'll go up a gauge to "medium" gauge, and figure then that downtuning them will get them to a similar feel as the standard tuned strings in a lighter gauge.
Found a Volt Thrower clone for a decent price. May jump on it as I'm loving my Rats lately. I also know some around here have mentioned RCO Pedals as a good cloner on Reverb. I think he made some "Volt Throwers" lately, and I know his prices are solid. Maybe I should see if he can make another for me. I think my next "Rat" will either be the Volt Thrower or Bass Mountain. First world problems and all that.
Last night my wife and I went and saw Elder, Beelzebong, and Dreadnought. Fantastic show, great sound. That is all.
I'm slowly trying to get my wife into metal. Right now just letting her listen to Iron Maiden, Dio and Sabbath. Maybe in a few months she will be ready for something a bit more heavy
If you aren't influencing things, what are some of her go-to genres/bands? There may be some other good transitional suggestions in this thread...
Just as an example, I think a lot of Torche stuff can be a good way to give people a taste because they nest some very poppy melodies and catchy vocal parts into tunes with juggernaut riffing.
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I got nothing really… maybe found a second band that is pretty much in the dad rock genre, so I’m hoping I can help bring some more heavy to their sound. Apparently the founder was Y&T’s old drummer who passed a few years ago, but the band is kinda carrying on as a tribute to him. The music is pretty good but their fired old singer had some pretty cringe boomer lyrics, that everyone in the band doesn’t like, so hopefully we can get ‘em changed.
Also… I’m trying so hard not to troll a couple threads in the effects forum that are based around an individual’s OCD.
Also… I’m trying so hard not to troll a couple threads in the effects forum that are based around an individual’s OCD.
This is a pretty good approach imo, maybe add some female fronted bands too like YOTC and mars red sky.
Other bands that have good production and hooks in the more djenty and metalcore genres might be worth looking into as well.
