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Traben Club
- Thread starter madbassist666
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Hey Montana!
Yeah, this is my first Traben. Found out about them trying to figure out what John Cooper of Skillet played.
Came across this one in my search for a 5 string Fender-P and liked the sound flexibility and price ($550) and didn't have to trade my current P to afford it.
Please send the tips on setup! They said they set it up at the shop but it needs set up for me. I don't know if it's the longer neck or I need to adjust to the longer/wider neck but last night didn't sound too hot.
For the Worship Bassist Club head on over here and let them know you want to join:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=657184&page=12
Also, for anyone that wants official cases for their Trabens, they come out later this month. Mine is on order and I'll let you know when I have it.
Trabens have varied greatly in the last couple of years based on the fact that they keep changing factories. Most Traben 5's have twin truss rods and need to be adjusted equally 1/8 +/- turn at a time. I prefer a low action. I use .008 neck relief at the 6th fret. Measure this using a straight edge spanning from the 1st to the 12th fret and slide a feeler gauge on the 6th fret. Remember to make small adjustment, the neck will "settle-in" after each adjustment.
I think the factory strings are junk and sound way too muddy. I would suggest going to a brighter string since these tend to be darker basses by design. I use d'addario nickel XL, 45-130, they have to be "super extra longs".
Once the action is set move to string height. Use a machinist rule on the 12th fret and measure from the top of the fret to the bottom of the string and set the height. Setting the string height on a chaos bridge is a pain, as is intonation, there is a allen set screw that is in a slot of the string saddle that needs to be loosened to adjust the height and intonation. This screw in facing straight up and is very obvious. Be very careful when tightening the set screw as it will strip easily. The bridge metal is fairly soft. Here are the heights I use, I dig in on the B&E so I set those a bit higher than normal.
G=5/64 D=5.25/64 A=5.5/64 E=6/64 B=6.5/64
These adjustments won't help your sound greatly, except the strings are huge for sound, this next adjustment will be big.
Pickups are typically shoved into the body of the guitar from the factory and are too far away to pickup the minute string vibrations that give a bass the pretty overtones that make it shine. I have had to pull out the pickups and use a bit of foam under them to act as a spring to put up-tension on the pickup to get the height needed. I set my pickup heights as follows, measured from the top of the pup to the bottom of the strings:
Neck pup:
G: 9/64
B: 11/64
Bridge pup:
G: 7/64
B: 9/64
They should be slightly tilted.
BTW: Traben puts in some caps and resisters on some of the preamp pots that tend to strangle the tone, at least on the models with the Aguilar. If you're still not happy we may need to go that direction.
I do all my basses this way and my Chaos Core is super versatile and sounds amazing, tight, w/ great definition, attack, and singing overtones, but dig-in and listen to it RIP. We play everything from Skillet to Lincoln Brewster to Israel Houghton, it does it all, Well.
If you have any questions shoot me back. Good luck.
I think the factory strings are junk and sound way too muddy. I would suggest going to a brighter string since these tend to be darker basses by design. I use d'addario nickel XL, 45-130, they have to be "super extra longs".
Once the action is set move to string height. Use a machinist rule on the 12th fret and measure from the top of the fret to the bottom of the string and set the height. Setting the string height on a chaos bridge is a pain, as is intonation, there is a allen set screw that is in a slot of the string saddle that needs to be loosened to adjust the height and intonation. This screw in facing straight up and is very obvious. Be very careful when tightening the set screw as it will strip easily. The bridge metal is fairly soft. Here are the heights I use, I dig in on the B&E so I set those a bit higher than normal.
G=5/64 D=5.25/64 A=5.5/64 E=6/64 B=6.5/64
These adjustments won't help your sound greatly, except the strings are huge for sound, this next adjustment will be big.
Pickups are typically shoved into the body of the guitar from the factory and are too far away to pickup the minute string vibrations that give a bass the pretty overtones that make it shine. I have had to pull out the pickups and use a bit of foam under them to act as a spring to put up-tension on the pickup to get the height needed. I set my pickup heights as follows, measured from the top of the pup to the bottom of the strings:
Neck pup:
G: 9/64
B: 11/64
Bridge pup:
G: 7/64
B: 9/64
They should be slightly tilted.
BTW: Traben puts in some caps and resisters on some of the preamp pots that tend to strangle the tone, at least on the models with the Aguilar. If you're still not happy we may need to go that direction.
I do all my basses this way and my Chaos Core is super versatile and sounds amazing, tight, w/ great definition, attack, and singing overtones, but dig-in and listen to it RIP. We play everything from Skillet to Lincoln Brewster to Israel Houghton, it does it all, Well.
If you have any questions shoot me back. Good luck.
BTW MK:
I own both a SUN and a Chaos, if you want a comparison, (I read your comment on another thread but it was in sales and didn't want to post it there). I've also played your guitar alot.
As far as justification to the wife. "Our music is our ministry" this isn't a justification, it's the truth.
I own both a SUN and a Chaos, if you want a comparison, (I read your comment on another thread but it was in sales and didn't want to post it there). I've also played your guitar alot.
As far as justification to the wife. "Our music is our ministry" this isn't a justification, it's the truth.
Montana,
So you think DR Black Beauties would be too dark? Still thinking of giving them a try. Thanks for the setup info. I'll work on it this weekend. Rain in the forecast!
Let me hear your comparison on the Sun and Chaos Obsession and Kore. Now that I've heard a Traben, I'll have to get a couple more. Wonder if I'm willing to let my Fender P go to get a couple Trabens?
So you think DR Black Beauties would be too dark? Still thinking of giving them a try. Thanks for the setup info. I'll work on it this weekend. Rain in the forecast!
Let me hear your comparison on the Sun and Chaos Obsession and Kore. Now that I've heard a Traben, I'll have to get a couple more. Wonder if I'm willing to let my Fender P go to get a couple Trabens?
MMmmm....you should just give me the P for my Sun...ya, that's an even trade 
I'd love to have a '78 P, mostly because it's my Birth year. I think it would be cool to have a bass that's just as old as me.
I'd love to have a '78 P, mostly because it's my Birth year. I think it would be cool to have a bass that's just as old as me.
My theory on strings is just that MY THEORY, meaning subjective.
The science is this:
There are many factors that determine the sound of a string including:
SS vs Nickel: SS is very bright and fret scratch is heard, Nickel isn't as bright and is more bell-like and complex. SS is typically a bit hard on the fingers too.
Round vs hex core: Round is thicker and warmer, Hex is brighter and thinner.
Round vs Flat wound: Rounds are brighter and bell like, Flats have a warm, but not dark sound.
Uncoated vs coated: Uncoated give true string dynamics, coated darkens this a bit.
There are other factors that contribute to the sound of a string like, winding speed, metal composition, coating thickness, core connection and gauge but the categories above play the most significant role in sound variation.
All this being said here is my opinion. DR makes a great string. My experience is that they are a bit inconsistent in quality and thus sound. The black beauties look great, last a long time and sound decent since they are coated stainless. Coated strings always have diminished highs and upper mids. To me that is devastating to your sound since all of the character and punch come from those areas.
The d'addario XL nickel is my favorite string because they are very tonally balanced and complex. This allows me to dial in a sound that I want and not have to compensate for the strings. The closest string to matching it for clarity is the sadowsky nickels, another great string.
By using the black beauties you will probably make the bass darker, not warmer, and less defined. IMHO
The science is this:
There are many factors that determine the sound of a string including:
SS vs Nickel: SS is very bright and fret scratch is heard, Nickel isn't as bright and is more bell-like and complex. SS is typically a bit hard on the fingers too.
Round vs hex core: Round is thicker and warmer, Hex is brighter and thinner.
Round vs Flat wound: Rounds are brighter and bell like, Flats have a warm, but not dark sound.
Uncoated vs coated: Uncoated give true string dynamics, coated darkens this a bit.
There are other factors that contribute to the sound of a string like, winding speed, metal composition, coating thickness, core connection and gauge but the categories above play the most significant role in sound variation.
All this being said here is my opinion. DR makes a great string. My experience is that they are a bit inconsistent in quality and thus sound. The black beauties look great, last a long time and sound decent since they are coated stainless. Coated strings always have diminished highs and upper mids. To me that is devastating to your sound since all of the character and punch come from those areas.
The d'addario XL nickel is my favorite string because they are very tonally balanced and complex. This allows me to dial in a sound that I want and not have to compensate for the strings. The closest string to matching it for clarity is the sadowsky nickels, another great string.
By using the black beauties you will probably make the bass darker, not warmer, and less defined. IMHO
OK, here's pics of my brand new Chaos Obsession 5 string. Can I have a number please?
#57 for you buddy, and that very pretty Chaos.
MMmmm....you should just give me the P for my Sun...ya, that's an even trade
I'd love to have a '78 P, mostly because it's my Birth year. I think it would be cool to have a bass that's just as old as me.
Now sonny, I gradeeated high school before yous wuz born so I'm smarter than that! LMAO!!!
I guess I really should have a number too please, I'll get pics of the Sun up soon too.
Here's my Chaos Core
Here's my Chaos Core
#57 for you buddy, and that very pretty Chaos.
I thank you, and Coco thanks you.
MK
I'll post later on the sound differences. Part of the issue is that I changed the preamp in my SUN which was huge, so I will be going from memory on the sound of the stock guitar. I will post sound clips from my Core and SUN that will give you a reference. I can go into the science behind good bass voicing if you want, but I've already bored everyone plenty!!
I'll post later on the sound differences. Part of the issue is that I changed the preamp in my SUN which was huge, so I will be going from memory on the sound of the stock guitar. I will post sound clips from my Core and SUN that will give you a reference. I can go into the science behind good bass voicing if you want, but I've already bored everyone plenty!!
Now sonny, I gradeeated high school before yous wuz born so I'm smarter than that! LMAO!!!
How long would I have to wait for the senile to kick in and swindle the deal?
hehe
MK,
Here is a clip of the Chaos Core. Preamp flat, running 2 outer pups. Sorry about the lack of skill, I did this really quick with a brand new recorder, direct in no amp, cab or mike. You may need to listen in headphones or amplified.
Here is a clip of the Chaos Core. Preamp flat, running 2 outer pups. Sorry about the lack of skill, I did this really quick with a brand new recorder, direct in no amp, cab or mike. You may need to listen in headphones or amplified.
Thanks Montana. Gives me a nice idea of the sound of those strings. I might head over to the string pages for their free loaner sets to see if I can borrow some to compare sounds.
Thinking of giving these a try out of the gate:
D'Addario ENR71-5SL Half Rounds Super Long Scale Light 5-String Bass Strings
Thinking of giving these a try out of the gate:
D'Addario ENR71-5SL Half Rounds Super Long Scale Light 5-String Bass Strings
MK- Those are a great string, the grind makes them have warm lows, subdued highs, balanced mids. I've used them on my fretless, still went back to rounds, but that was for maximum mah-wah, not because they didn't sound good.
Does the Chaos sound different than the Obsession? Less my poor playing, I'm a better technician than player. Just got a new recorder and this is the first time I have ever recorded myself, it was eye opening.
Does the Chaos sound different than the Obsession? Less my poor playing, I'm a better technician than player. Just got a new recorder and this is the first time I have ever recorded myself, it was eye opening.
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