• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Stoner/Doom Bassists Thread, Part 90: Maxed Out

#63,421
will probably go to the LA river tomorrow, gotta use AI to animate some monsters later (confidentiality agreement job)

real deal question here - have you ever had a set of strings that just feel like your playing coat hanger wire?
the one specific set of xl170s on my L2000 just seem way stiffer than the ones on my other basses

this may explain the setup issues i've been having on that bass where things just don't feel right

i'm going to change them tonight, but if it isn't just the weirdest thing
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kaa and br1qbat
#63,423
Grape Juice Plus, cause regular grape juice isn’t strong enough…

Tina at bass exchange did an incredible job with the new nut, cleaning, and setup.

I’m feeling like this plays better than most of the pricier USA basses I’ve had over the years.

Neck is kinda narrow front to back, I love how fast it is.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3345.jpeg
    IMG_3345.jpeg
    1.6 MB · Views: 16
  • Like
Reactions: Kaa, Kawai2g4b, scabpicker and 4 others
#63,425
mpdd said:
will probably go to the LA river tomorrow, gotta use AI to animate some monsters later (confidentiality agreement job)

real deal question here - have you ever had a set of strings that just feel like your playing coat hanger wire?
the one specific set of xl170s on my L2000 just seem way stiffer than the ones on my other basses

this may explain the setup issues i've been having on that bass where things just don't feel right

i'm going to change them tonight, but if it isn't just the weirdest thing
Click to expand...
Yeah D’Adds are definitely on the firm side. Me? All comically light gauge Rotos. Funkmasters on my Jazz in E, whatever the light med scale is on my JMJ (also E), and 55-110’s on the Rick and P in B std. Work smarter, not harder. Not to mention (to me) better tone and last longer.

It took some time to tame the ape hands, but it was worth it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kaa, br1qbat and mpdd
#63,426
mpdd said:
will probably go to the LA river tomorrow, gotta use AI to animate some monsters later (confidentiality agreement job)

real deal question here - have you ever had a set of strings that just feel like your playing coat hanger wire?
the one specific set of xl170s on my L2000 just seem way stiffer than the ones on my other basses

this may explain the setup issues i've been having on that bass where things just don't feel right

i'm going to change them tonight, but if it isn't just the weirdest thing
Click to expand...
I play telephone wires. So I wouldn't know. Haha. (DR Lo-Riders .130 low B)
 
  • Like
Reactions: mpdd
#63,428
bobomatic said:
Yeah D’Adds are definitely on the firm side. Me? All comically light gauge Rotos. Funkmasters on my Jazz in E, whatever the light med scale is on my JMJ (also E), and 55-110’s on the Rick and P in B std. Work smarter, not harder. Not to mention (to me) better tone and last longer.

It took some time to tame the ape hands, but it was worth it.
Click to expand...
Explains why I seem to prefer D'Addario these days - I am a relatively recent convert from flats, and the tension of flats was certainly a plus for me. I also enjoyed the low mid focus, as it seemed to help me stand out in the mix. But about two years ago I started to transition back to rounds, found that D'Addario's were my "thing", and haven't looked back. Surely, part of the equation is my better understanding of EQ and/or "the mix", but I don't miss flats at the moment. As you said, taming the "ape hands" has helped. I can get similar tones with less effort, and am playing with a lighter touch overall. Now I just need to get to playing more often!
 
  • Like
Reactions: bobomatic, br1qbat and mpdd
#63,430
mpdd said:
I think my issue is that I haven’t played higher tension rounds in probably 9 years, just low tension flats.
Click to expand...
Can't claim to know specifics, but I loved the higher tension of rounds. Perhaps I'm way off, but aren't flats generally higher tension (aka stiffer) than rounds? I always liked the deeper tone of flats (as a rule) and found them easier to slot in the mix. But as I've improved my understanding of EQ etc., I've found flats to be more aggressive and to work quite well. Nothing wrong with either, just depends on preference.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bobomatic and mpdd
#63,431
kleinenenten said:
Can't claim to know specifics, but I loved the higher tension of rounds. Perhaps I'm way off, but aren't flats generally higher tension (aka stiffer) than rounds? I always liked the deeper tone of flats (as a rule) and found them easier to slot in the mix. But as I've improved my understanding of EQ etc., I've found flats to be more aggressive and to work quite well. Nothing wrong with either, just depends on preference.
Click to expand...
Re-reading this, I mis-typed. I loved the higher tension of FLATS. And I've found ROUNDS more aggressive... Not sure what was happening as I typed last night!
 
  • Like
Reactions: br1qbat
#63,432
kleinenenten said:
Can't claim to know specifics, but I loved the higher tension of rounds. Perhaps I'm way off, but aren't flats generally higher tension (aka stiffer) than rounds? I always liked the deeper tone of flats (as a rule) and found them easier to slot in the mix. But as I've improved my understanding of EQ etc., I've found flats to be more aggressive and to work quite well. Nothing wrong with either, just depends on preference.
Click to expand...
they put the nyxl strings on the the esp which seem to be la little less high tension than the xl170s but still similar in tone and feel, i've only played the bass for a brief time and the new string zing has already settled down, now that I think about it the whole reason I'm playing the xl170s is because they came on the G&Ls from the factory and the dunlop nickels I usually played were no longer at the Mom and Pop shop I used to go back in the early 2000s, as I cycle through the current xl170s on the L2000 and JB2 I'll probably switch to the nyxl strings or maybe back to the dunlops if they have them at bass exchange (it's only about 8 blocks form my house)
 
#63,433
mpdd said:
they put the nyxl strings on the the esp which seem to be la little less high tension than the xl170s but still similar in tone and feel, i've only played the bass for a brief time and the new string zing has already settled down, now that I think about it the whole reason I'm playing the xl170s is because they came on the G&Ls from the factory and the dunlop nickels I usually played were no longer at the Mom and Pop shop I used to go back in the early 2000s, as I cycle through the current xl170s on the L2000 and JB2 I'll probably switch to the nyxl strings or maybe back to the dunlops if they have them at bass exchange (it's only about 8 blocks form my house)
Click to expand...
I typically keep it simple, and rarely change strings or brands. Early on, I preferred Slinkys, mostly because they were cheap and I was a poor high school/college student. Then a buddy of mine got flats for his bass and instantly sounded "like Steve Harris". So I tried out some Chromes next time. I couldn't hear myself in the band I was in, and didn't really want to decimate the rest of the group with volume (GK 700RB-II and NEO 410 vs. modern budget Crate Solid State amp), so I thought I'd go for a more low-mid emphasis and be heard that way. Plus, you pretty much never have to change flats, right? I still didn't have much cash, so that was a plus. These days, I can afford strings more often, and have tried a few, but D'Addarios are my favorite at the moment. Now I don't have to change strings that often because I don't have time to play enough to wear out strings that often!
 
  • Like
Reactions: mpdd
#63,434
Didn't get to learn anything new today, but got to at least play a bit, so I decided to play some stuff I haven't played in a long while. Realized I made some mistakes when I transcribed Sweet Leaf, and I think I got it figured out now. Nothing too big, but was off by about a step for a part. Always wondered why I couldn't quite nail that part consistently... Now, to practice that until it becomes memory.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kaa, scabpicker, Matt-J2 and 1 other person
#63,435
kleinenenten said:
Didn't get to learn anything new today, but got to at least play a bit, so I decided to play some stuff I haven't played in a long while. Realized I made some mistakes when I transcribed Sweet Leaf, and I think I got it figured out now. Nothing too big, but was off by about a step for a part. Always wondered why I couldn't quite nail that part consistently... Now, to practice that until it becomes memory.
Click to expand...
One quick time through before I had to get something done, and you'd be shocked (or, probably not!) how much easier it is to play something when you have the notes right and it seems to match the source. Who knew? Now, to try and get some semblance of those fills down during the solo. Or at least something similar enough!
 
  • Haha
  • Like
Reactions: Kaa, br1qbat, scabpicker and 1 other person

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back