The Combo Club

[SoulReflection]

Even though that is disappointing, Jim, you have to look at the bright side. It’ll be on its way soon, the excitement is gonna build, and then when the big day comes you will be ready.

I’d say get your recording studio all in order prior to the arrival and then go back to Page 1 of the Combo Club and read all the posts until next Tuesday. How’s that?

HA, it will take a month of Sundays just to get through the Reaper manual!

 

[SoulReflection]

Soul Reflection, when that bass you just purchased gets to you, don't talk to anyone, don't listen to anyone, don't even buy a pizza. Just get to your music room and begin the romance. If yours makes you half as happy as mine does for me, you will love it.

I hope that is not the case...I can't afford a divorce .

 

[SoulReflection]

If it's at a place that 'knows' you, your niece/nephew is visiting.

My wife is short, I just introduce her as my granddaughter and observe the weird looks.

 

[wraub]

For years, I avoided Fender instruments, mainly because they were so common- everybody had one, and I wanted "my own sound". After a few years, I realized that sound was the F sound. I got a Jazz, and it was close, but...

I have a P bass. It is good. It is my number one. It does so many things so well that avoiding it is futile, for me.

I installed a threaded saddle bridge on it, and I recommend it. The adjustable spacing is a solid bonus, but it just looks and feels "right". And the sound... Is. It. It sounds expecially good through my combo.

I may part with others, but my P bass is my keeper.


Also- I found Reaper daunting, so looked for options and found StudioOne. I got StudioOne 2 and 3 for free from the Presonus site...Maybe look around for alternatives.

 

[Polish Thunder]

Well, with the NBD (Fender Player P) coming, I went with the La Bella 0760M Original 1954 Flat Wound Stainless Steel 52-110. May be a bit on the heavy side but, I can always go lighter (it's only money) .

I put the Labella 760FS flatwounds on my Player P Bass. I love them. Plus they are (.045, .065, .085, .105) which I believe are the same gauge that the bass comes with.

 

[roccobass]

I hope that is not the case...I can't afford a divorce .

Or could be preceded by .....

 

[GonePlaid]

For years, I avoided Fender instruments, mainly because they were so common- everybody had one, and I wanted "my own sound". After a few years, I realized that sound was the F sound. I got a Jazz, and it was close, but...

I have a P bass. It is good. It is my number one. It does so many things so well that avoiding it is futile, for me.

I installed a threaded saddle bridge on it, and I recommend it. The adjustable spacing is a solid bonus, but it just looks and feels "right". And the sound... Is. It. It sounds expecially good through my combo.

I may part with others, but my P bass is my keeper.


Also- I found Reaper daunting, so looked for options and found StudioOne. I got StudioOne 2 and 3 for free from the Presonus site...Maybe look around for alternatives.

I s'pose because my first real bass was a Gibson EB-3(66), my left hand became used to the Gibby/Epi neck profile. After 53 years of playing necks with that shape, anything else feels 'wrong'. Nothing against 7enders-for others. They just don't do it for me. My Squier, however, does it to me.(pain)

 

[iagtrplyr]

Give it time. In my experience, things change quickly, and in a few weeks or months you might feel very differently. I’ve fallen in and out of love with every single bass I own several times, and my current favourite (a Fender P, admittedly) was once my least favourite. So don’t do anything you might regret to your Jazz, at least for a little while.

JakobT, thank you for your words of calm and experience. It's at times like these you know who has your back. Yeah, I woke up this morning and thought to myself that I'm not gonna sell my Jazz. Its tenth anniversary with me is next February and that is by dar the longest-owned instrument ever for me. She's heading up to the bedroom to be placed next to my Superbeetle rig. It's where toys go when I've run out of space.

Thanks again, JT! Keep it rocking in Norway!

 

[SoulReflection]

Even though that is disappointing, Jim, you have to look at the bright side. It’ll be on its way soon, the excitement is gonna build, and then when the big day comes you will be ready.

I’d say get your recording studio all in order prior to the arrival and then go back to Page 1 of the Combo Club and read all the posts until next Tuesday. How’s that?

Just an update in the 2 Day ordeal...The vendor, MME, called to apologize for the mix up and is sending me a Fender gig bag at no charge. I did want a dust cover for the new bass .

EDIT: Oh, and on your Jazz, I think you should keep it as well. If you've got that full scale size down, you cannot do better than have a J and a P.

With me, the Jag may go. With their popularity now that they have been discontinued, I should be able to get back what I put into it.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Quite the post in the middle of the night there o fearless one! As a very happy owner of a J and a P and a PJ, you have to understand they are all different animals and each does what it does wonderfully!
You will never get a solid P sound out of a Jazz. The newness of your P has taken over for now. Give the Jazz a rest and come back to it later. You will find that it serves a purpose and does it very well!

You're right, b. I've wanted that P-sound for so long that i tried to cop it with the Jazz, but then I took away what the J does best. You're right though.

Jazz is scooped and that's the beauty! There are many tunes where the J is the fight fit (for me) and many songs that the P is just right. That's why everyone should own at least one of each! @JakobT gives sound advice!!

And that was always my long-term plan. I figure between the three I have most everything covered. This Precision though has cast a spell on my simple mind that is powerful and it's hopeless to fight it!

I guess my question is why put on a "vintage" bridge over the stock one? Appears to be same exact bridge except for more grooves on the saddle for vintage. Now if you're going high-mass, I can understand the switch - but changing stock for vintage seems to be a lateral move with no perceived benefit...

The vintage is a little heavier and possesses a very cool vibe. What I think I'll do is pull it off the J and stick the original back on, leaving the vintage bridge in the dugout when desired. Being able to line up the strings without having to rely on that center slot is, to me, an advantage.

The Precision is still very new to you, you are obviously enamored by the simplistic beauty and majesty of Leo's creation - and rightfully so! I would just hold tight for now and not do anything you may regret (like selling your Jazz - sacrilege!) And above all - enjoy the PUNCH of that Precision!!

Damn Leo Fender. No, damn Fender for finally coming up with the perfect bass for my fingers and ears. Truly, had this been available ten years ago I'd have grabbed it. Your words are the lament of many of here, I'm sure!

 

[iagtrplyr]

Just an update in the 2 Day ordeal...The vendor, MME, called to apologize for the mix up and is sending me a Fender gig bag at no charge. I did want a dust cover for the new bass .

EDIT: Oh, and on your Jazz, I think you should keep it as well. If you've got that full scale size down, you cannot do better than have a J and a P.

With me, the Jag may go. With their popularity now that they have been discontinued, I should be able to get back what I put into it.

That is fantastic news, SoulReflection! Not a bad trade-off since they weren't gonna get you the bass any sooner. If you end up with the same Fender gig bag I have, you are going to be in for a tasty free treat. It's a nicely-padded bag that'll take good care of your new baby when you're not using it.

I think I had a "Kanye West" moment this morning, though my heart was pure while my brain was hitting the red line! I think it's more that since we've been locked in, I haven't gotten as excited about an instrument as with this one. What I'm looking forward to doing is experimenting with ways to coax other tones out of this supposed one-trick pony. I'm fine with that challenge too.

 

[iagtrplyr]

For years, I avoided Fender instruments, mainly because they were so common- everybody had one, and I wanted "my own sound". After a few years, I realized that sound was the F sound. I got a Jazz, and it was close, but...

I have a P bass. It is good. It is my number one. It does so many things so well that avoiding it is futile, for me.

I installed a threaded saddle bridge on it, and I recommend it. The adjustable spacing is a solid bonus, but it just looks and feels "right". And the sound... Is. It. It sounds expecially good through my combo.

I may part with others, but my P bass is my keeper.


Also- I found Reaper daunting, so looked for options and found StudioOne. I got StudioOne 2 and 3 for free from the Presonus site...Maybe look around for alternatives.

Enjoyed reading your post, wraub. I'm a GOF who has always enjoyed the traditional, familiar sounds that I grew up listening to. Maybe I'm nuts, but the fancy boutique basses (and amps too for that matter) leave me at "meh." I wonder what that was just played would've sounded like on a bass that I would rather listen to. That said, I applaud anyone who wants to venture outside the lines of the coloring book, trying eight-stringed zirconium-shaped basses that can imitate a flute!

And like you, I think I've finally found my keeper. I see an interesting journey ahead making music with friends and leaving a smile or two on the listeners' faces. But I'm not unloading anything at this point.

 

[iagtrplyr]

I put the Labella 760FS flatwounds on my Player P Bass. I love them. Plus they are (.045, .065, .085, .105) which I believe are the same gauge that the bass comes with.

Listen to this left-handed bass player ladies and gentlemen. He speaks the truth and with lots of zest too! Those darn strings have ruined me forever. I used to like Chromes and Fenders, but now if it doesn't feel or sound like the LaBellas, I'm just less interested in playing it.

 

[bhendrix]

I put the Labella 760FS flatwounds on my Player P Bass. I love them.

To my ears, there are no better strings for a Precision! Once I went LaBella, I've been a happy fella! Mine have been on about 4 years - and keep getting betta!

 

[iagtrplyr]

To my ears, there are no better strings for a Precision! Once I went LaBella, I've been a happy fella! Mine have been on about 4 years - and keep getting betta!

I think you’re in your way to either a touching poem or maybe a commercial jingle!

 

[wraub]

Well, for me, the "way-out there" bass was an Ibanez active 5 string in a passive 7ender bass world, before the 5 was very common... It was great for everything I played on it, but was literally the cited reason for me not getting a few gigs.

Oddly, that changed when I got my Jazz bass. But, it was in finding "my" P bass that everything clicked.
I now have a P, a J, and a PJ, plus, I still have those active 5s, so, I'm set for things... But, the P bass is the first one picked, most days.
It just works, it's always ready, it almost always fits into any musical context, and it's solid enough to not worry about. Plus, easily repairable with easily obtainable parts. It rarely disappoints, and doesn't ask for much besides a regular wipe down and almost constant use.

Mine currently has 5 year old Chromes on it, and it's pretty great. I do keep hearing good things about the La Bella LTF, though...

Enjoyed reading your post, wraub. I'm a GOF who has always enjoyed the traditional, familiar sounds that I grew up listening to. Maybe I'm nuts, but the fancy boutique basses (and amps too for that matter) leave me at "meh." I wonder what that was just played would've sounded like on a bass that I would rather listen to. That said, I applaud anyone who wants to venture outside the lines of the coloring book, trying eight-stringed zirconium-shaped basses that can imitate a flute!

And like you, I think I've finally found my keeper. I see an interesting journey ahead making music with friends and leaving a smile or two on the listeners' faces. But I'm not unloading anything at this point.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Well, for me, the "way-out there" bass was an Ibanez active 5 string in a passive 7ender bass world, before the 5 was very common... It was great for everything I played on it, but was literally the cited reason for me not getting a few gigs.

Oddly, that changed when I got my Jazz bass. But, it was in finding "my" P bass that everything clicked.
I now have a P, a J, and a PJ, plus, I still have those active 5s, so, I'm set for things... But, the P bass is the first one picked, most days.
It just works, it's always ready, it almost always fits into any musical context, and it's solid enough to not worry about. Plus, easily repairable with easily obtainable parts. It rarely disappoints, and doesn't ask for much besides a regular wipe down and almost constant use.

Mine currently has 5 year old Chromes on it, and it's pretty great. I do keep hearing good things about the La Bella LTF, though...

If you like the brighter taste then by all means stick with the Chromes, they’re a great string. But if you’re curious about the old school sound that puts feet on the dance floor, the throw on a set of Deep Talkin’ strings and prepare for your voyage to nirvana. I’m also seeing their low-tension strings are winners as well.

 

[GwenOnBass]

La Bella LTFs are the first flats I've played. And I find them comfortable under my fingers like tapes are comfortable under my fingers. Also noted some of what I pay attention to as I practice is not to over grip, as is my habit. The LTFs take very little pressure to fret properly. My setup is 5/64ths at the 17th fret with a light touch in mind. I've got enough amplification here to carry the load without a heavy handed approach. The 20something me is grateful not to be hauling a Peavey rig all over and back.

 

[iagtrplyr]

FYI for anyone following the Coronavirus Orchestra. It’s the “Eye of the Tiger...”

Saturday, August 1st, at 6 pm, is the premiere of our current song. Here you can watch it live on youtube:

 

[wraub]

The booty-shaking tone is well-known, and the ease of playing, especially as compared to Chromes, is very, very tempting... I've been playing on Chromes for many, many years, and the tone can, indeed, still be a little bright for a flat,
but the price on the LaBella's is a bit daunting, no lie. Longevity or not, $60 is a chunk for strings, for me, especially as
I just went deep into pocket for my P bass pickup.
The Chromes will likely stay a bit longer, but, the LaBella LTF are in the on-deck circle.

If you like the brighter taste then by all means stick with the Chromes, they’re a great string. But if you’re curious about the old school sound that puts feet on the dance floor, the throw on a set of Deep Talkin’ strings and prepare for your voyage to nirvana. I’m also seeing their low-tension strings are winners as well.

La Bella LTFs are the first flats I've played. And I find them comfortable under my fingers like tapes are comfortable under my fingers. Also noted some of what I pay attention to as I practice is not to over grip, as is my habit. The LTFs take very little pressure to fret properly. My setup is 5/64ths at the 17th fret with a light touch in mind. I've got enough amplification here to carry the load without a heavy handed approach. The 20something me is grateful not to be hauling a Peavey rig all over and back.