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The Combo Club

Regarding bass strings now that Morri has opened the door loll I have quite a collection of bass strings...mainly Rotosound, Ernie Ball, DR's, La Bella's, Rickenbackers etc. I went crazy last year when they were on special at my usual music shop. Bought 5 string sets in different gauges and 4 string sets in different gauges; some DR BB coated, DR neon whites, some Rotosound 88 Special Black Nylon Tapes, and Rickenbacker strings from the UK because Rickenbacker US wont ship them and I cant buy them here in Australia so I get them from Robbie Bryan at Rickysounds UK. They will all get used soon loll
On a separate note for anyone interested, I always take 2 basses to gigs and there was a guy on TB here somewhere asking about a changeover switch type box so he could keep 2 basses wired ready to go and press the A/B button to switch basses during the set. I suggested to him the simplest method that works for me when switching basses during a set quickly is to use a cable like mine...its a silent cable..unplug from the bass..change basses and plug straight up again without turning off the amp..ill include pics at the bottom.

STRINGS 1.JPG

STRINGS 2.JPG

STRINGS 3.JPG

SILENT LEAD 1.JPG

SILENT LEAD 2.JPG

SILENT LEAD 3.JPG
 
Ayup!

Just put the 'Ray down a moment and here's a tidbit on Black Beauties and Neons. According to DR, BBs are stainless steel rounds on a round core (coated High-Beams?) and Neons are nickel-plated rounds on a round core (coated Sunbeams?).

A brand new pre-EB Stingray, according to the wiser heads at the TB string forum, would have come with GHS flats or Pressurewounds (depending on year). Apparently Bernard Edwards either didn't know or didn't care, or both. It's said he didn't change his strings.

I, on the other hand, found myself a chronic string changer because Rotosounds. They'd last like a rehearsal or two and gone. Changed them as often as I could afford until I found the sweet spot with Dean Markley Super Rounds.

Fast forward a few decades and the memory of Rotosounds is strong. Coated strings appeared to be my answer and woah these Neons are .... what went through my mind is something like if I'm going to show up on stage with these pink Neon strings, I'd better be crackerjack.

And you know whut? They sound pretty good (to me). What with the tapes on the other bass, hmm, let's try some BBs and the Stingray just feels like home.

Great description, Morrighan, thanks. You seem to have a good understanding of what you like to use to find your tone.

Was messing with the Rogue bass today, which I have LaBella Beatle Bass strings on. OMG, was that “tone-alicious!” Players say they’re just one-trick ponies, but I say ya throw a quality set of strings on those hollow-body basses and expect to be impressed.

That, and I really think I found a terrific-sounding bass. Gonna stay with me forever or until I stupidly watch it hit the floor and crack the neck!
 
Rock n roll. That's the spirit.

Rock n roll got me started 56 years ago! And it's kept me going ever since. :bassist:
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Ooooohhh... Zatarain's!!

[Shhhh! It's a secret ingredient.] :roflmao:
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The joke goes if Adam and Eve were Cajun they would have skipped the apple and eaten the snake.

If Adam an' Eve was cajun, cher, da apple woulda been in da snake's mout while he was roasting in a roux wit a sprinklin' of Zatarain's. Mmmm, ya ya, mon cherie!
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Yeah- except during load in/out.

That's only somewhat true, Goner! The 150 is only 39 lb.s. But the 250 is 63 lb.s and a bit bulky. Fortunately, it has good wheels. So, not really a bad load, all things considered. Load out always has that semi-sad, after-the-party's-over feel anyway.
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'Dog, if anyone ever accuses you of NOT liking combo amps just show them this pic. Case closed! I've seen a few of those Fenders used at our local GC, but the prices are usually steep and the rat fur looks like Helga, the hairy witch, combed over them. Still, I'll bet both of those sounded like Fender bass amps.

That's literally just the half of it, iago! Half the photo I used to join this venerable The Combo Club

Yes, they are real Fender Bassman amps, alright, and sound it, too. I often got quizzical looks at the li'l 150 putting out a really big sound. I also got, and always used, the Fender amp covers to keep the rat fur properly coiffed, so they still look quite nice! IF I were to attempt to sell them, as I probably should, I would certainly start at a fairly steep price, since they are still great looking and sounding combos!
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Or, perhaps, just salt? :nailbiting:

Just a pinch of low-sodium, please. :rollno:
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Regarding bass strings now that Morri has opened the door loll I have quite a collection of bass strings...mainly Rotosound, Ernie Ball, DR's, La Bella's, Rickenbackers etc. I went crazy last year when they were on special at my usual music shop. Bought 5 string sets in different gauges and 4 string sets in different gauges; some DR BB coated, DR neon whites, some Rotosound 88 Special Black Nylon Tapes, and Rickenbacker strings from the UK because Rickenbacker US wont ship them and I cant buy them here in Australia so I get them from Robbie Bryan at Rickysounds UK. They will all get used soon loll
On a separate note for anyone interested, I always take 2 basses to gigs and there was a guy on TB here somewhere asking about a changeover switch type box so he could keep 2 basses wired ready to go and press the A/B button to switch basses during the set. I suggested to him the simplest method that works for me when switching basses during a set quickly is to use a cable like mine...its a silent cable..unplug from the bass..change basses and plug straight up again without turning off the amp..ill include pics at the bottom.

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Hey Giffro, ya have bass strings available? Wow, you’re a collector of some pretty well-known strings. As I wrote above about the LaBellas, I’m usually either a Fender or Chrome flatwound player, myself, but the Beatle flats are easily the best forty bucks I could put towards that bass. They feel great too. It’s definitely gonna be my lightweight, old retired guy’s bass guitar!

Edit: as for your cable, I had a Planet Waves cable with a cut switch on one of the ends. Worked pretty well too. Swapped it with Sonny Boy for yet another pouch of magic beans. He loves the cable and I’m still waiting...
 
Regarding bass strings now that Morri has opened the door loll I have quite a collection of bass strings...mainly Rotosound, Ernie Ball, DR's, La Bella's, Rickenbackers etc. I went crazy last year when they were on special at my usual music shop. Bought 5 string sets in different gauges and 4 string sets in different gauges; some DR BB coated, DR neon whites, some Rotosound 88 Special Black Nylon Tapes, and Rickenbacker strings from the UK because Rickenbacker US wont ship them and I cant buy them here in Australia so I get them from Robbie Bryan at Rickysounds UK. They will all get used soon loll
On a separate note for anyone interested, I always take 2 basses to gigs and there was a guy on TB here somewhere asking about a changeover switch type box so he could keep 2 basses wired ready to go and press the A/B button to switch basses during the set. I suggested to him the simplest method that works for me when switching basses during a set quickly is to use a cable like mine...its a silent cable..unplug from the bass..change basses and plug straight up again without turning off the amp..ill include pics at the bottom.

View attachment 3428367
View attachment 3428368
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I got one of those cables a couple weeks ago, a Livewire brand. Lifetime warranty. And it seems to really work.
 
Rock n roll got me started 56 years ago! And it's kept me going ever since. :bassist:
.


[Shhhh! It's a secret ingredient.] :roflmao:
.


That's only somewhat true, Goner! The 150 is only 39 lb.s. But the 250 is 63 lb.s and a bit bulky. Fortunately, it has good wheels. So, not really a bad load, all things considered. Load out always has that semi-sad, after-the-party's-over feel anyway.
.


That's literally just the half of it, iago! Half the photo I used to join this venerable The Combo Club

Yes, they are real Fender Bassman amps, alright, and sound it, too. I often got quizzical looks at the li'l 150 putting out a really big sound. I also got, and always used, the Fender amp covers to keep the rat fur properly coiffed, so they still look quite nice! IF I were to attempt to sell them, as I probably should, I would certainly start at a fairly steep price, since they are still great looking and sounding combos!

If Adam an' Eve was cajun, cher, da apple woulda been in da snake's mout while he was roasting in a roux wit a sprinklin' of Zatarain's. Mmmm, ya ya, mon cherie!
.
Just a pinch of low-sodium, please. :rollno:
.
There goes Doggy again with that errrr French Cajun accent
 
Regarding bass strings now that Morri has opened the door loll I have quite a collection of bass strings...mainly Rotosound, Ernie Ball, DR's, La Bella's, Rickenbackers etc. I went crazy last year when they were on special at my usual music shop. Bought 5 string sets in different gauges and 4 string sets in different gauges; some DR BB coated, DR neon whites, some Rotosound 88 Special Black Nylon Tapes, and Rickenbacker strings from the UK because Rickenbacker US wont ship them and I cant buy them here in Australia so I get them from Robbie Bryan at Rickysounds UK. They will all get used soon loll
On a separate note for anyone interested, I always take 2 basses to gigs and there was a guy on TB here somewhere asking about a changeover switch type box so he could keep 2 basses wired ready to go and press the A/B button to switch basses during the set. I suggested to him the simplest method that works for me when switching basses during a set quickly is to use a cable like mine...its a silent cable..unplug from the bass..change basses and plug straight up again without turning off the amp..ill include pics at the bottom.

View attachment 3428367
View attachment 3428368
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I've thought about one of those but I feel bad for the sealed hermit.:smug:
 
Great description, Morrighan, thanks. You seem to have a good understanding of what you like to use to find your tone.

Was messing with the Rogue bass today, which I have LaBella Beatle Bass strings on. OMG, was that “tone-alicious!” Players say they’re just one-trick ponies, but I say ya throw a quality set of strings on those hollow-body basses and expect to be impressed.

That, and I really think I found a terrific-sounding bass. Gonna stay with me forever or until I stupidly watch it hit the floor and crack the neck!
Film at 11!:nailbiting:
 
Rock n roll got me started 56 years ago! And it's kept me going ever since. :bassist:
.


[Shhhh! It's a secret ingredient.] :roflmao:
.


If Adam an' Eve was cajun, cher, da apple woulda been in da snake's mout while he was roasting in a roux wit a sprinklin' of Zatarain's. Mmmm, ya ya, mon cherie!
.


That's only somewhat true, Goner! The 150 is only 39 lb.s. But the 250 is 63 lb.s and a bit bulky. Fortunately, it has good wheels. So, not really a bad load, all things considered. Load out always has that semi-sad, after-the-party's-over feel anyway.
.


That's literally just the half of it, iago! Half the photo I used to join this venerable The Combo Club

Yes, they are real Fender Bassman amps, alright, and sound it, too. I often got quizzical looks at the li'l 150 putting out a really big sound. I also got, and always used, the Fender amp covers to keep the rat fur properly coiffed, so they still look quite nice! IF I were to attempt to sell them, as I probably should, I would certainly start at a fairly steep price, since they are still great looking and sounding combos!
.


Just a pinch of low-sodium, please. :rollno:
.
Garlic butter/sea salt. Mmmmm
 
Great description, Morrighan, thanks. You seem to have a good understanding of what you like to use to find your tone.

Was messing with the Rogue bass today, which I have LaBella Beatle Bass strings on. OMG, was that “tone-alicious!” Players say they’re just one-trick ponies, but I say ya throw a quality set of strings on those hollow-body basses and expect to be impressed.

That, and I really think I found a terrific-sounding bass. Gonna stay with me forever or until I stupidly watch it hit the floor and crack the neck!
I agree! I use my Hofners to play a variety of songs and genres: everything from Michael Jackson to Black Sabbath. Of course, since I have 5 I also use a variety of string types that help me nuance my tone appropriately. My two main Hofners are my German made fretless with white nylon tapes and my Chinese CT with a sound block and rounds. I also have an Ignition with flats, but I prefer to keep my load ins and outs to two trips. Good times.
 
Regarding bass strings now that Morri has opened the door loll I have quite a collection of bass strings...mainly Rotosound, Ernie Ball, DR's, La Bella's, Rickenbackers etc. I went crazy last year when they were on special at my usual music shop. Bought 5 string sets in different gauges and 4 string sets in different gauges; some DR BB coated, DR neon whites, some Rotosound 88 Special Black Nylon Tapes, and Rickenbacker strings from the UK because Rickenbacker US wont ship them and I cant buy them here in Australia so I get them from Robbie Bryan at Rickysounds UK. They will all get used soon loll
On a separate note for anyone interested, I always take 2 basses to gigs and there was a guy on TB here somewhere asking about a changeover switch type box so he could keep 2 basses wired ready to go and press the A/B button to switch basses during the set. I suggested to him the simplest method that works for me when switching basses during a set quickly is to use a cable like mine...its a silent cable..unplug from the bass..change basses and plug straight up again without turning off the amp..ill include pics at the bottom.

View attachment 3428367
View attachment 3428368
View attachment 3428369
View attachment 3428377
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View attachment 3428379

You struck a rich string vein there, no claim jumpers here!

Appears to me that since My Ray has always worn Very Bright Strings, my brain understands that as the instrument's native tone. And it's not really true but there is always a native Ray sound no matter what strings. There's a set of extra long scale tapes here for the Ray that's waiting for the day when the Black Beauties go dead. Just to see. And really would love to try some pressurewounds on the Ray. Selection is limited what with string-through-body and no top load available.
 
"Always take two basses"

Now that I have two basses I also have <er> 2.5 rigs. Well sort of, lets do maths

going to call the Ampeg BA108v2 a half ... well hold on there, partner. Really, this combo is absolutely perfect for [very] small rooms and maybe a drummer with brushes or some millennial with a cajon. Bring on the bongos, this 20 watts inna box hangs tight!
so yeah give the Peg a full point for a rig that makes one.

there's the Phil Jones BG-400 Suitcase Compact and matching Compact 4 cab. Modular as one can ask. Full point to make two rigs.
The PJB combo itself is in Ireland at the moment, and I am not owing to personal business that means I'm in the States for a bit. It's on its way to me from Achill, and bought a new 14 AWG power cable in anticipation. Read the threads on power cables and understand 18 AWG is perfectly serviceable. Another dollar gets the 14 so why not. Cable's here, amp arrives, flip the voltage switch, and good to go!

With the BG-400 and I in two different places for a bit, behold, the amp stork delivers a new Elf! And the sound through the PBJ C4 is astonishingly good. The Elf sounds great. So half a point for Rig 3? Which brings me to wanting to pair the Elf with its own cab, something more suited to the 200 watts. The PBJ Cab 27 leads the GAS pack.

What I've in mind for the Elf + [some cab] are for situations smaller than the PBJ rig and larger than the Ampeg. Alternately a rig to leave at rehearsal space. Also understood the Elf means I can drop it in the gig bag and power any provided backline. Go ultralight with a TE 1x10 or go nuts on a PJB Cab 47 <maniacal laugh>

And this all started with "two basses" as

My Ray and I .... 40 years together. And definitely confirmed she was completed in March or April of 79. What dreams ! The Chowny CHB-1 I named Solstice Eve for the date of her completion gives me that warm tone I never could coax out of the Ray.

Two point five rigs and 2 basses and never enough strings o_O :angel:
 
Send me to another thread if you must but I'm curious whether y'all have tried the D'Addario tapewounds. I like them because they're dark and thumpy and (seemingly) don't pick up finger oils like roundwounds; I'm not a slap player.
Pic of Ibanez AGB 200 w/ D'Addario tapes. Even though bass is short scale I had to get medium length strings-silks over lapped the nut w/ shorties. Very 'upright-y' tone:)
0218191704-00.jpg

Bonus: 'Famous' garage door with attached music gear storage space:
0528191046-00.jpg
 
Send me to another thread if you must but I'm curious whether y'all have tried the D'Addario tapewounds. I like them because they're dark and thumpy and (seemingly) don't pick up finger oils like roundwounds; I'm not a slap player.

Oh yes, D'Addario tapes grace my Chowny CHB-1.

Recall very clearly the first I saw tapes and going to call this 1982. Very talented player, and he's really happy with the tapes on his Grabber. Shows me, and from one who basically understands only Roto 66, they seem pretty weird. But within the framework of any [alleged] advances in technology and whatever's selling, everyone I know wants a solid state rackmount. HiFi stuff. The thud's out of style, prog to the left of them, funk to the right of them, into The San Fernando Valley rode Oh Not Those Guys Again

Get myself into a cool semi-hollowbody and those tapes went on as fast as I could confirm the proper winding length. Over at the strings place someone mentions trying the thinnest pick possible with the tapes. Pick out a bunch of picks, keep some handy but pretty much all index, middle and sometimes right-hand thumb too. Thumb's not fer slappin' really never got the hang of it.

Digging the tapes. Figure between the rounds on the Ray and the tapes on the Chowny, that's like 99 percent of the tonal territory covered. The day someone pays me to show up with a P and flats is the same day I show up with a P and flats. Until then, the current arrangement holds :thumbsup:
 
Oh yes, D'Addario tapes grace my Chowny CHB-1.

Recall very clearly the first I saw tapes and going to call this 1982. Very talented player, and he's really happy with the tapes on his Grabber. Shows me, and from one who basically understands only Roto 66, they seem pretty weird. But within the framework of any [alleged] advances in technology and whatever's selling, everyone I know wants a solid state rackmount. HiFi stuff. The thud's out of style, prog to the left of them, funk to the right of them, into The San Fernando Valley rode Oh Not Those Guys Again

Get myself into a cool semi-hollowbody and those tapes went on as fast as I could confirm the proper winding length. Over at the strings place someone mentions trying the thinnest pick possible with the tapes. Pick out a bunch of picks, keep some handy but pretty much all index, middle and sometimes right-hand thumb too. Thumb's not fer slappin' really never got the hang of it.

Digging the tapes. Figure between the rounds on the Ray and the tapes on the Chowny, that's like 99 percent of the tonal territory covered. The day someone pays me to show up with a P and flats is the same day I show up with a P and flats. Until then, the current arrangement holds :thumbsup:
Fully agree. I use the TBird for almost everything. No BL has ever said "that bass won't fit our music", esp. after I play for them. Plus which, my shortish fingers find a P neck too wide. 'Course I could just not play the E string.:angel:
 

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