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What Do I Do?

P

phsycobass

Jun 12, 2007
97
0
Canada
#1
I have a gig tonight and I'm having a bit of a mental breakdown.
This morning I went to get new strings (because I had a broken one) and the guy the local shop handed me the only set of strings the had made by a brand that I'd heard of (rotosound). Now this is the only shop in my (relatively) small town and they only had about 4 different sets of bass strings. Usually I get DR low-riders from the L&M about an hour away but I didn't have time today. I got halfway home from the local store and I realised the strings I bought were Black Nylons. So of course I go back to the store to buy a set of roundwound and end up buing a set of medium gauge, medium scale roto's which my friend assured me would fit on my geddy jazz bass. Long story short, they're not long enough and I already threw out the old strings. So right now I have the E,A and D strings as an old set of chrome flatwounds and the G string is a long scale rotosound that I had lying around. The action is about twice as high as as it was with the DR's and I'm afraid to touch the truss rod this close to a gig. On top of this, I'm playing at an unknown venue, for an unknown fundraiser, with a questionable 80's yorkville amp (my GK is in the shop) and I'm also playing Guitar and keyboard for some songs so I've got those rigs to worry about too...
I guess all I can do is go out there and give the audience (whoever they may be) 100%

Sorry TB, I just needed to vent.
 
#5
I have been through some daft things along the lines of your story...

Play your bass before the gig... get a feel for it... it's only for one gig... But when you get there, ask another band if you can keep there's to one side just incase... explain to the bassist whats happend.. Most people are friendly enough and should lend you the bass!

Get some new ones tomorrow!

it was only last week, i went to my local music shop... They give me short scale Rotosounds for my Jazz... I was gutted... i had a big gig the next day! I have an epihpone rivoli so they can still get used. I had to use my Jag with dodgy old string and just take it easy... I asked another band and he was kind enough to let me keep his bass at the side! You'll be fine mate! Everyone has done sommet like this at one point! And if they aint... Just you wait!
 
#8
Meh. Who cares about the strings? I used the same strings for 4 years (Starting when I was in Fifth grade. I didn't know any better!), and the crowd still liked it. They won't notice the difference, trust me.
 
#11
If you're breaking strings, find the cause. Often it's a sharp spot on the bridge or an incorrectly cut slot in the nut. If you're thrashing the strings and breaking them, then you might consider improving your technique.

As for long- vs. short-scale strings, learn what length your bass needs. Read the package next time before buying. Also learn whether thicker strings will properly fit the nut slots on your bass, and avoid buying any that are too thick.

Use your mental energy to get smarter, not to beat yourself up.
 

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