DC Ross Posted October 25, 2005 Share Posted October 25, 2005 Hey all, I'm mainly a guitarist, but I really enjoy playing bass as well. I may be auditioning in a couple of weeks for a local band, so it's time for me to get it together. My bass needs a setup and new strings; I'll be taking it to Mike Lull tomorrow and would like some opinions on strings. I'm looking for a specific sound & feel: Full, fat, round, and big. Not twangy, overly bright or too punchy. I prefer the feel of flatwound or groundwound strings, but I'm open to suggestions. I definitely won't be slapping & popping -- just not my style. I'm a big fan of Roger Waters' style and sound. Here's a list of strings I'm curious about: Elixir Polyweb Fender Super Bass Fender Stainless Bass Fender Stainless Flatwound GHS Boomer medium SIT Power Wound Warwick Yellow Label La Bella Hard Rockin' Steel La Bella Quarter Round D'Addario Half Round DR Bootzilla DR Black Beauties I also need a case; the Conklin one that's made for it looks kind of cheesy. Is there a decent hardshell that'll work well? Here's a pic of the fish (that's my wife's Geddy Lee behind it) http://www.rossdesigngroup.com/images/misc/bass.jpg Thanks! -DC Ross It's not simple to be simple. -H. Matisse Ross Precision Guitars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g. Posted October 25, 2005 Share Posted October 25, 2005 Smith Brite Flats, Dean Markley or Labella flats, Thomastick-Infeld flats which are really a different type of string all together, and rather low tension with complex mids but not so bright, GHS Brite Chromes, D'Addario Half Rounds, the Dean Markley ones that are ground alomg the fretboard but round over the pickups, etc. Cool Conklin! They kind of rip you on the cases though. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Ross Posted October 26, 2005 Author Share Posted October 26, 2005 Thanks, greenboy. Those Thomastiks sound like they'd be great, but $60 is a bit out of my budget. The Conklin case goes for about $120, and it's just a slight step up from a gig bag I'll look into the other strings you mentioned. Thanks! It's not simple to be simple. -H. Matisse Ross Precision Guitars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebrownbass Posted October 26, 2005 Share Posted October 26, 2005 I've been using the same set of Thomastiks (Jazz Flats) for a 1.5 years. They still sound great, and I'll not replace them anytime soon. So $60 is not that much, really. Make sure you have the new strings on before the set-up...but then you know that already. I'd be investing in a nice bag for that bass. A good leather one would protect it pretty well...we just had a thread about bass bags with good recommendations. "Let's raise the level of this conversation" -- Jeremy Cohen, in the Picasso Thread. Still spendin' that political capital far faster than I can earn it...stretched way out on a limb here and looking for a better interest rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Ross Posted October 26, 2005 Author Share Posted October 26, 2005 Thanks, Dave, it's good to hear first hand experience. I'll take it over a thousand opinions anyday I'll see if I can find them locally. I'm really looking for a decent hardshell case that'll fit, like an SKB. I went to GC yesterday, but they didn't have anything that would have worked. Musicians Friend lists the Conklin one, but it looks like it might not hold up as well. Is there anyone here that uses one? Are there others that you Conklin players use? Thanks! It's not simple to be simple. -H. Matisse Ross Precision Guitars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getz out Posted October 26, 2005 Share Posted October 26, 2005 Love the Matisse quote, by the way. Why the hardshell case? Any reason for that over a gig-bag? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Ross Posted October 27, 2005 Author Share Posted October 27, 2005 Hey getz76, I thought the quote was quite fitting for me As for why a hardshell over a bag: I've seen a 2x12 guitar cab dropped onto a guitar in a bag. The cabinet won It's not simple to be simple. -H. Matisse Ross Precision Guitars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getz out Posted October 27, 2005 Share Posted October 27, 2005 Fair enough... but I think you'll have a problem finding a "standard" hardshell that will immobilize the Conklin for a price less than you paid for the Conklin. Those standard rectangular without the "form fitting" interior aren't worth a damn; drop your case -> case hits ground -> impact -> case stops moving -> bass continues to move inside the case -> impact -> bass in multiple pieces. (interia sucks). Those standard cases will usually only fit Fenders. The only alternative I can think of is a gun case from Pelican with Pick'n'Pluck foam. I haven't used a Pelican case with a bass or guitar, but I do use their cases for all of my microphone and camera equipment. I'm not sure if they are big enough, though: www.pelican.com Check out the #1750. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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