| Author | Message | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 800 Registered: 5-2002 |
OK, I've been experimenting with different strings on my shorty and have come to the conclusion that I don't have a favorite but find that different strings are appropriate for different sounds. The two I've narrowed it down to are DR Sunbeams and TI Jazz flats. I'm wondering if anyone has experimented with changing back and forth between two sets for different gigs. It doesn't take long to do and the bass doesn't seem the worse for wear because of it. The setup seems to work pretty well for both. Thoughts? Edwin | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1404 Registered: 5-2009 |
Yes edwin ,I agree that different strings are appropriate for different sounds , I have recently done this with my Series II . I like "Dean Markley Blue Steel " for round wounds and "Pyramid Gold "Flats . What I noticed was that I had to re adjust my bridge harmonics quite a bit and the height as well to make thing right for my taste and to play in tune . The Pyramids seem to act a bit different then many others that I have tried . | ||
| adriaan
Moderator Username: adriaan Post Number: 2683 Registered: 6-2002 |
If there's a lot of adjustment to do, you might consider getting a second bridge. It may be less hassle to exchange the bridge than to reset the intonation. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1406 Registered: 5-2009 |
adriaan , I think that is a really good idea ! | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 2793 Registered: 10-2002 |
Sounds to me like a perfect excuse for another Alembic. Graeme | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 2239 Registered: 6-2002 |
Who needs an excuse for another alembic. It's a duty. :-) Jazzyvee | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 805 Registered: 5-2002 |
Yeah, I thought someone was going to go there! It was enough of a squeeze on the wallet to get this one. Adriaan, I have found that the adjustments are pretty close. All that seems to be required is a tweak of the truss rod. If I get a slightly heavier E and A string for the DRs, I think that might not even be necessary. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1413 Registered: 5-2009 |
I have been playing with light strings for many years now ; the Dean Markleys that I like are .095 to .040 and the Pyramids that I ordered are .100 to .040 . Major truss rod tweaks have not been necessary for me either. | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 806 Registered: 5-2002 |
So how often do you go back and forth? I'm contemplating on at least a weekly basis. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1416 Registered: 5-2009 |
Edwin , I went back and forth about 3 times in a month and then a few weeks ago decided to leave the Pyramids on the Series II and the Dean Markleys on my Essence. One of the issues that I was getting concerned about was metal fatigue and string breakage from total removal and reinstallation on an extended basis. | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 807 Registered: 5-2002 |
Good point! However, I only have one Alembic and don't want to limit myself. In the long run, the TIs will probably be on the bass the most. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1417 Registered: 5-2009 |
I really like Flats on a Series I or Series II . I will probably check out some TI Jazz Flats some time soon . | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 853 Registered: 1-2005 |
I would be concerned about intonation problems - if the string gets twisted a little bit differently, maybe it could have an effect? But I tend to be paranoid about these things... I'm surprised you don't notice that much of a tension difference b/n the two sets - I would think the TIs would have much lower tension. | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 808 Registered: 5-2002 |
Weirdly, the DRs seem to have lower tension, but with smaller gauge E and A strings than the TIs, it's probably not too surprising. | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 2794 Registered: 10-2002 |
I've not tried TI's but I've always found Dr strings to have pretty low tension - one of the reasons I like them so much. Graeme | ||
| smokinbear
Intermediate Member Username: smokinbear Post Number: 105 Registered: 11-2008 |
Hey Edwin, have you tried the Jonas Hellborg set DR makes yet? They feel great on my Guilds and also i use them on my p-basses. great pick sound and great fingersound too. Very nice in between bright rounds and pyramids but with better feel than the flats.....Bear | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 810 Registered: 5-2002 |
I haven't tried those. Are they a different construction or are they just a variety of roundwounds? I have to say I'm loving the Sunbeams. I've played them through a variety of amps and the tonal balance is just about perfect! Haven't tried them with a pick yet. There's something about flats with a pick.... |
