The Reverend Club (part 8)

[El Trueno]

I really need to put some flats on my Mercalli 5. In due time because I gotta save up for the TIs. I'll probably start with set of Labellas.

I had Labella 760 on my Decision P for a while and they sounded amazing. Also helped to tame the decision a little too. She's currently wearing Bass Boomers but I'm considering throwing the Labella's back on. I've never tried flats on my Mercalli but considering flats for my Mercalli 5.

 

[arepa_funk]

I really need to put some flats on my Mercalli 5. In due time because I gotta save up for the TIs. I'll probably start with set of Labellas.

Proud Mercalli 5 player here. I had Chromes on mine but didn't dig them, way too bright for me. Went with GHS Precision Flats and I love them. Went with the custom set (CM3050, I think) and added a single B .128. Couldn't be happier.

Also have experience with the LaBella 760FL on another fiver, and added a LTF B to complete the set. Haven't tried this on the Mercalli though.

 

[lermgalieu]

. Great stuff right there, nice job @ericplaysbass!!!


. One of the few brands of flats I haven't tried yet, those beloved IT's everyone drools over. I do plan on it, my apprehension is their gauge, they seemingly only come with the G string at 0.043 thru E at 0.100. With my chromes, I prefer the .050 thru .105. I've tried G strings at .045's on various brands such as chromes, labella, roto and dont care for it. Not looking to derail the convo to strings here, just making a quick note, unless there's something interesting about the Reverend vs all my P's that might make me rethink the whole gauge thing in general.

(EDIT) PS -- enjoy your rehearsal, and hope those strings make it even more fun!

My guess (and wishful thinking) is those IT's will sound fantastic tonight and will only get better as they age and you get used to them on that Thundergun, I can only imagine how many tonal varieties and how expressive that thing is.

So yeah, that's a nope for me. At least not for this bass and this band. As noted, I loved TI's on my Gretsch Junior Jet, but then again I never played that with a band, just a bit of recording. Did a rehearsal last night, brought the Thundergun with TI flats and my 2016 MIA P bass with Rotosound rounds. Ditched the Thundergun after about five songs. The .43-.100 gauge is WAY to light for me (see below), and to use a hackneyed phrase, those strings just didn't cut in a two-guitar rock band. Especially the D and G strings. I think I will just put the stock S.I.T. strings back on for now - the Thundergun seems to crave roundwounds, and who am I to deny it? I've got an MIM P with heavy Chromes for when needed.

You'll never know unless you try.
TI flats are the best flats I've tried so far and so far I've been through 4 brands.
DR Legends 45-105
EB Group II 50-105
EB Cobalts 50-105
TI Jazz 43-100

Despite the TI's being lighter, it's nothing that eq can't take of. Eq bass a little higher than usual and profit.

edit: corrected specs for TI Jazz

I've tried lots of flats. As noted, I am a Chromes guy (played them exclusively for over a decade). Just not on this particular bass, since I just bought it.

And lighter strings equals lighter tension. Just wonderful to play.

But some of us just don't feel that way. I've been playing bass for 35 years, so I can confidently say I like a heavier gauge. 45-105 is about the lowest I will go, and as noted, I like Chromes even heavier. Not sure if it's that I also play upright, or whatever, but I need to be pulling some meat on those strings. I know how to play lightly, but when I dig in I don't want the situation to just collapse on me - I want something pushing back a bit. I LOVE a long scale bass with decently thick strings. For me those TI's are just too thin. I am sure they will have their use for me in a recording situation, but I don't think I'd ever enjoy playing them in a band. Different strokes!

 

[Bass Ape]

Right now, I have a set of D'addario nickels on the Mercalli 5 and they are still too bright for my taste. I can tame them a bit with my pre and comp, but I really want less ping and more thump.

 

[pisces_bass]

I don't care for the "ping" of nickel rounds on my Justice. My solution for rounds is DR Fat Beams. Right out of the package, they have a more even, mid-focus sound to my ear. And rolling off the tone knob makes them thump.

 

[bigthemat]

I really need to put some flats on my Mercalli 5. In due time because I gotta save up for the TIs. I'll probably start with set of Labellas.

I've got some la Bella DTFs on my mercalli and it sounds sooo good. I'm a flats fan and the DTFs are the best I've tried. Never have tried the TIs but maybe when I'm rich I can fork over the cash lol

 

[Bass Ape]

I've got some la Bella DTFs on my mercalli and it sounds sooo good. I'm a flats fan and the DTFs are the best I've tried. Never have tried the TIs but maybe when I'm rich I can fork over the cash lol

That's my problem with the TI's. I have to take out a loan to string my 5'er

 

[Gee Man]

Keep your eyes on the TBF classifieds, I've gotten a few sets that way.

 

[bherman]

Looking to put a drop D tuner on my Mercalli 4, and am wondering if someone can tell me what the cross-reference is for a drop tuner. I tried a search here and its probably operator error but didn't find anything.

 

[bherman]

That's my problem with the TI's. I have to take out a loan to string my 5'er

I recently put a set of LaBella Olinto Flats on my Mercalli 4 and LOVE THEM. My go-to strings before were Pyramids )on my P Bass) but started having trouble with the E string so went to a LaBella Low Tension E and liked that a lot. I wanted to move to flats on the Mercalli and had just read about the Olintos and tried them, they really hit the sweet spot for me. They have a sweeter high-end than most flats but can be toned down with the tone control. Easy to play but not floppy like Tis. Very happy with them, you can buy them direct from LaBella for around $45-50.

 

[ericplaysbass]

Looking to put a drop D tuner on my Mercalli 4, and am wondering if someone can tell me what the cross-reference is for a drop tuner. I tried a search here and its probably operator error but didn't find anything.

They have the shaft specs on the Reverend site - it's 1/2" diameter.

 

[bherman]

They have the shaft specs on the Reverend site - it's 1/2" diameter.

thx - just wondering if anyone has recommendations for a drop tuner theyve used for a Rev Bass

 

[ericplaysbass]

thx - just wondering if anyone has recommendations for a drop tuner theyve used for a Rev Bass

Ain't none better than the Hipshot ime. May as well stick with what it uses, just the USA version.

Only problem is once you go USA Hipshot, you'll see the quality difference between the import Hipshots and the USA ones and want to upgrade all of your machines.

 

[bherman]

Ain't none better than the Hipshot ime. May as well stick with what it uses, just the USA version.

Only problem is once you go USA Hipshot, you'll see the quality difference between the import Hipshots and the USA ones and want to upgrade all of your machines.

Thx, I couldn't find the Rev Website reference, but it looks like its the Hipshot GB7.

 

[Clark Westfield]

Like this one

 

[Clark Westfield]

FYI-pink Mercalli is available.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[ericplaysbass]

Some people have asked me about the versatility of the Dub King and I posit that there is no more versatile short scale out there that you can acquire off the shelf than the Dub King. Here's me attempting a Thundercat bass line on the neck pickup (100%), then I roll to the bridge pickup (100%) for the improv solo at the end of the track:


Signal chain is thus:
Reverend Lil Linhbacker - Empress Bass Comp - 3LA Octabvre MKII - DiCosimo 800RB Bass Preamp - SSL SiX - MOTU M4

 

[Bass Ape]

Dude, you need to get out of your bedroom and move into a market where you can play sessions.

 

[John Stephen]

@ericplaysbass those are some serious chops you've got there. Nice going, and thanks for the Dub King demo. It (and you) sounded great.

 

[Stranger Danger]

I have questions about Reverend and figured this is the best place. I am strongly considering a Mercalli 5. I play Lakland 5 strings. Can someone who also plays Laklands talk to me about the differences in feel and what I may or may not like if I'm a Lakland guy. Thanks!