| Author | Message | ||
| pas
Advanced Member Username: pas Post Number: 270 Registered: 3-2003 |
Looking for some help here. I've been using Alembic strings on my Stanley Deluxe. They're not bad, but I'm not thrilled with them either. I get about the same life out of them as I would with a set of RotoSounds. I really wish that Elixir made short scale strings, as I really like them, but alas, it appears they don't make them. Also, I used to be able to get Alembic strings at Just Strings, but it seems they don't carry them anymore. I know I can get them at the Alembic store, but if I'm paying $59 for a set of strings, I want to be REALLY happy with them & want them to have more of a life span than the Alembic strings seem to give me. Any thoughts/input/suggestions would be most sincerely appreciated. | ||
| indybass
Junior Username: indybass Post Number: 15 Registered: 6-2003 |
When I had a short scale Alembic, I would medium scale GHS Bass Boomers. | ||
| tubeperson
Advanced Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 261 Registered: 5-2005 |
Try www.juststrings.com. Alembic strings are way less expensive there. Very nice people to work with as well. Also perhaps the fault lies not in the string but in the "greasy slimey fingers" plucking them. Seriously, do you wipe the strings down after each user session? Do you play with clean hands, or are they soaked with beer and sweat, (not that I'm asking mind you)? These can obviously affect string life. Since you also said Rotosounds did not give you that infinite sustain (there I go again), there may be another cause, or you are a hard player that wears them out sooner than other bass players with a delicate touch, like the late John Entwistle. I have been lucky and the Alembic strings I use last a long long long item, just like other long things (heh heh, heh, moderator test system at work). | ||
| hifiguy
Advanced Member Username: hifiguy Post Number: 338 Registered: 10-2006 |
FWIW I am very happy with d'Addario Pro Steel short scale strings on my Stanley. $14 at juststrings, bright - as in SwingBass bright - and they last a long time, for me anyway. | ||
| pas
Advanced Member Username: pas Post Number: 271 Registered: 3-2003 |
Indy - How did you like the GHS strings in terms of tone & string life duration? Tube - Thanks for the input, but...did you actually read my whole post? As I stated, Just Strings does not have Alembic strings listed on their site anymore...that's where I used to get them. I neither said nor implied that there is "fault" with Alembic strings...simply a matter of durability and tone for me. Where did I mention anything about sustain? Yes, I wipe my strings after use. "Greasy slimey fingers"...honestly! I prefer Elixir strings for a couple of reasons. 1) Since there is no metal to metal contact, it seems to reduce fret/string noise/harshness of tone. 2) They seem to be easier on my fingers as well as frets. 3) I usually get about twice the wear out of a set versus non-Elixir stings. I play Blues mostly & have been playing Alembics since '85...I don't play with excessive attack. If I've misconstrued your post, please accept my apologies...but your response seemed to indicate that you didn't read my whole post and came across somewhat condescending. | ||
| pas
Advanced Member Username: pas Post Number: 272 Registered: 3-2003 |
HiFi - Thanks for your response. I find Alembic & Roto strings comparable...the Rotos being a tad brighter, due to the eliptical final wrap on the Alembics, as I understand it. I seem to get about the same duration of use out of both. If I'm unable to locate coated strings like Elixir that someone has positive feedback on, I'll give them a shot. At $14, I could get 4 sets of them for less than the cost of 1 set of Alembics. I'm not cheap, but if I'm paying 4 times the price, I want 4 times the tone & longevity. (Message edited by PAS on May 02, 2012) | ||
| tubeperson
Advanced Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 262 Registered: 5-2005 |
PAS, I did not see the part about "juststrings" not carrying the Alembic brand anymore. The rest was meant to be a joke, since so many bass player actually use grease and pork fat (i.e. Bosco Mann)to condition their strings. So I did not mean to be condescending, perhaps your sensitive side took over, and unless someone provokes me I am a lover not a fighter (remember F Troop and the Hickowie Indians?). So seriously back at you double!!!!! No apology needed, you are a major positive contributor to this forum, and let's just share a laugh and some grease. And no, no one forced me to write this for all of you cynics out there! | ||
| pas
Advanced Member Username: pas Post Number: 273 Registered: 3-2003 |
Tube, No problem...  When it comes to human interaction, particularly on-line, I'm sometimes like Sheldon on "The Big Bang Theory"...it just escapes me...  | ||
| hifiguy
Advanced Member Username: hifiguy Post Number: 339 Registered: 10-2006 |
I remember reading a story in Bass Player years ago about a bassist who covered his flatwounds in margarine for a year (!) before putting them on a bass. One of the Philly Sound guys, IIRC. Weird but true! | ||
| tubeperson
Advanced Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 263 Registered: 5-2005 |
Hey all in the quest for "The Sound". Call me your Tubiness, or as my wife and son call me Your Tubbyness! Of course my Alembics get much more attention from me than the wife, after 20 years ..... Besides, many of my instruments have more seniority than she does. Heh, Heh Heh. BTW awesome playing escapes me. Wanna trade? | ||
| tubeperson
Advanced Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 264 Registered: 5-2005 |
As Homer Simpson would say, "Grease". | ||
| fmm
Advanced Member Username: fmm Post Number: 341 Registered: 6-2002 |
Planet Bass carries Alembic strings. CX3 45S for $27.00 http://www.planetbassonline.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=PBOS&Category_Code=STR_ALE | ||
| pas
Advanced Member Username: pas Post Number: 274 Registered: 3-2003 |
Your Almighty Tubiness, Awesome playing escapes me too...but not my appreciation for it. On occasion, when walking on the dark side, I sometimes feel like Salieri in the movie "Amadeus." | ||
| pas
Advanced Member Username: pas Post Number: 275 Registered: 3-2003 |
FMM, Thanks for the heads up! | ||
| tubeperson
Advanced Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 265 Registered: 5-2005 |
Ah yes the nipples of Venus. Not that I mind any other ones. And let's give a shout out to FMM for the planetbassonline link. Now that is awesome! Cleans sound for less, add your own grease, margarine, butter, parkay whatever. | ||
| fmm
Advanced Member Username: fmm Post Number: 343 Registered: 6-2002 |
I'd better get over to Planet Bass and buy some strings before the rest of you deplete the supply! | ||
| afrobeat_fool
Senior Member Username: afrobeat_fool Post Number: 451 Registered: 7-2009 |
Planet bass is great to buy thru. Very knowledgeable and quick responses via e-mail. Thanks, Planet Bass!I just got 5 string flats E-C Thomastick from them and they upgraded shipping to next day!!!! Nick | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1172 Registered: 5-2002 |
I've been using DR Sunbeams long scale on my shortie with no problems. Thomastik Jazz Flats short scale strings work out well, too. | ||
| mario_farufyno
Senior Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 771 Registered: 9-2008 |
Do you heard about issues when cutting a string? I always heard that this compromises its winding integrity, but I always cut the end to get just 2 or 3 turns on post... and never felt any problems. Never had the outer winding sliding off core, never had changes on intonation or tone. So I've never worried about cutting a string, and never regret that. | ||
| mario_farufyno
Senior Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 772 Registered: 9-2008 |
If it helps, I use GHS Bassics because they had the tone I like: brighter than brand's regular nickelwound, like Boomer, and not as harsh as their regular stainless steel strings, like Super Steels. To me Rotosound and D'Addario usually sound more muffled and feel stiffer compared to GHSs. They are also offered in not so usual sets, so I can get a heavier E string with a light G string (0.102" - 0.040"). I feel they balance better with the way I play (I bend a lot, so I like lighter strings, but bottom strings tend to hit frets more easily when light, so I mix them to get tighter bottom with more flexible upper strings). And they are cheap, great bonus! Bassics are more affordable than any other GHS set (around 12 bucks in US webstores, like juststring.com). Hard to beat on price... But they clearly do not feel as "slippy" as Elixir (no uncoated string will be, either) and they are nikel coated steel strings, so they are not so gentle on frets also. So I try to always remember to use GHS's Fast Fret or Dunlop 65 before playing to make them more slippery and to have them fresh longer. This doesn't protect frets, but make strings feel easier on my fingers (and extends string life if you clean them again after playing, too). I like that feel on fingers, but I didn't liked Elixir tone (even when new they sound like my bassic set after a week or two). But I tried them a couple of time... And cutted its end with no perceivable issues. | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 547 Registered: 2-2011 |
If Planet Bass runs out of Alembic strings, I just bought 3 sets for my SCSD from Bass Central for $30 each. They don't have Alembic strings listed on their site, but they do carry them. http://www.basscentral.com/2003/stringclub.shtml | ||
| hb3
Senior Member Username: hb3 Post Number: 718 Registered: 2-2005 |
Just strings just told me Alembic doesn't manufacture their strings anymore. | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 572 Registered: 2-2011 |
Who makes them for Alembic? | ||
| tubeperson
Advanced Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 279 Registered: 5-2005 |
Perhaps they want to keep the OEM manufacturer close to the vest, but it seems juststrings.com may have meant that they as a vendor discontinued selling them. Since Alembic strings are the standard string that the Mothership uses on new basses, unless you select otherwise, I suspect they still offer them for sale. We previously were informed via this topic that PlanetBass.com sells them. Avery useful post and place to electronically "hang". | ||
| eligilam
Advanced Member Username: eligilam Post Number: 377 Registered: 2-2006 |
I ordered some Alembic strings from juststrings.com a few months ago along with some other sets. I promptly got my other sets, but no Alembics. After contacting juststrings, I was told "we have no idea when our next Alembic shipment is coming in, but we'll ship your's out when we get them." After about a month, I called them up to see what was going on. They told me that, given the difficulty in obtaining Alembic's strings, they were discontinuing the line indefinitely. Alembic strings are still the best, longest lasting brand I've ever used, though. The set that came with my new SCSD lasted well over two years. I may try the planetbass.com site to get some more. | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 577 Registered: 2-2011 |
When I bought my 3 sets from Bass Central, they shipped them directly from Alembic to me. I placed the order on Thursday & they shipped out on Monday. I had them by the weekend. | ||
| hb3
Senior Member Username: hb3 Post Number: 719 Registered: 2-2005 |
Short scale strings aren't listed on the planetbass link. Has Alembic stopped offering these strings through retailers? | ||
| hb3
Senior Member Username: hb3 Post Number: 720 Registered: 2-2005 |
Well, I assume something is up, since there would've been some clarification otherwise. And it kind of sucks, honestly. 59 bucks for a pack of strings? Um, no thanks.... | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7745 Registered: 6-2000 |
The only thing that's up is that we have been backordered on the strings - we have to keep enough here for the basses we are setting up. As far as I can tell we should be having another fresh load delivered before the end of June. | ||
| hb3
Senior Member Username: hb3 Post Number: 721 Registered: 2-2005 |
Thanks Mica. Glad to hear it. | ||
| hb3
Senior Member Username: hb3 Post Number: 725 Registered: 2-2005 |
Anyone have any luck getting these recently? | ||
| that_sustain
Junior Username: that_sustain Post Number: 16 Registered: 8-2012 |
I can't imagine putting anything but light gauge strings(40's) on a medium scale bass..especially any kind of Alembic. | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1247 Registered: 5-2002 |
It's been discussed before, but I've found that lighter gauge strings, especially B and E string, ring truer, more like a string than a bar. As the stiffness increases, the harmonics start getting less correlated and more clangorous. Also, as you go up the fingerboard, on the B string especially, it's harder to keep the strings in tune. | ||
| that_sustain
Junior Username: that_sustain Post Number: 17 Registered: 8-2012 |
Rick Turner said pretty much the same in a 90's interview with Bass Player Magazine. I think he, and edwin are correct. |
