| Author | Message | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3640 Registered: 6-2002 |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=s8OYeN9mAL4 Jazzyvee | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 11188 Registered: 5-2002 |
It did seem to make a difference. | ||
| jcdlc72
Advanced Member Username: jcdlc72 Post Number: 268 Registered: 11-2009 |
Same here... somewhat brighter strings on a neck-thru peavey that (I don't know exactly why) tends to "darken" strings quite fast... | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 2041 Registered: 9-2002 |
I dunno . . . . this guy would tend to completley ignore metal fatigue, the windings shifting against themselves, any number of physical/mechanical processes as to why they go dead. Honestly, he seems like one more of these YouTube musicians who make lots of videos, but never any gigs (down the list, he has a few videos of 'grooves' in all these obscure scales, a sure sign of too much time at home). If all you had to do was 'slap the **** out of them', Stanley Clarke or Louis Johnson would have quit buying strings twenty-five years ago. J o e y | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1586 Registered: 10-2006 |
Hmmm - "...sweat and, um, dung make them go dead...." so you fix it by "slapping the s**t out of them"; don't know what he's doing to his strings, but dung buildup is not a problem I've had much trouble with......... And he learned it from guy who learned it from a guy who, faced with broken strings, "tied them together with little knots". OK, show of hands - who here has ever tied a bass string - or even a guitar string - back together? Freakin' hilarious! Peter | ||
| jcdlc72
Advanced Member Username: jcdlc72 Post Number: 269 Registered: 11-2009 |
Well, it depends on where the string breaks. But I have done it a lot of times. Specially at the headstock (tying the string with another broken string to make it reach the tuning peg if it has broken above the nut, or sometimes -if length allows- relocating to other tuning pegs -I had to do this on my fretless once when my 3rd string broke at the peg- to be able to use them through the gig). On guitars, sometimes the ball end has untied -or the string has broken right there- and had to redo the tie or even add some string to be able to use it through the gig... | ||
| hankster
Advanced Member Username: hankster Post Number: 337 Registered: 6-2004 |
I've definitely done it. G-string on my Les Paul bass broke above the nut, just below the tuning peg post. Unwound the surplus (of which there was more than enough, since the Gib is short scale), tied a knot, rewound, finished the gig (went to bed, got up, went to the music store, and bought two sets of strings). I can't say I have done it a lot of times, though. R. | ||
| hydrargyrum
Senior Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 1179 Registered: 3-2004 |
I've tried it.  I wouldn't say I was successful. Like Hankster I now keep spares instead. | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 1507 Registered: 6-2002 |
I had to use a Low E guitar string when the A broke on my med. scale Exploiter . It barely reached, but with a delicate touch I was able to finish the gig. It sounded really cool. I've never tied a knot at a gig, yet ;) | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 2043 Registered: 9-2002 |
Broken strings. In my Back Pages, when I played four-strings with the mighty Fender 355 Heavy triangle picks, invariably I'd break a D or an A, which resulted in channeling my inner Tony Levin via the three-string method . . . . . I did this three or four times before finally being convinced to bring a spare set: I hated to change just one. Then I learned it would get louder if I turned a knob or two, and I quit breaking strings ! Of course, as I dodder off into curmudgeonhood, this type of foolishness no longer occurs, but somehow it was fun at the time . . . . J o e y | ||
| bassilisk
Intermediate Member Username: bassilisk Post Number: 125 Registered: 4-2009 |
My friend sent me this link. I can only say that unless I'm using the last set of strings on planet Earth all of this "string reclamation voodoo" (boiling, alcohol wipes, this...) is past silly. I've selected all of my basses for playability and tone, and all are the best I can afford including a few true Blue Chips. Why in the world would I try to get another few days out of a dead set of strings on a bass that cost real money? I don't get it. I remember reading an interview with Anthony Jackson where he said he changed strings after every take in the studio. I'm not at that point, but as soon as I feel the tone is getting compromised they're gone. I think this is nonsense - like putting regular gas into a Lamborghini. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3649 Registered: 6-2002 |
I've only ever boiled guitar strings a few times and that was when I was a teenager but then they just went pitted soon after so i never continued the idea. I've not even tried this method that I started the thread on. I tend to change my strings really as soon as the crispness goes. I have tried to keep some strings on one of my basses for a long time to see if i would like the mellower tone but it just sounded dull. I like crisp tones. I'd like to get a string endorsement deal them I'd change them more than I do now. You guys in the states are fortunate that your string prices aren't like ours here which is probably why bass players here look at more options to keep their strings useable. Jazzyvee | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 953 Registered: 2-2011 |
Bass Brights really work to keep the new string sound. I'm going on 5 gigs with the same strings when I used to get maybe 2 gigs before they lost the new string brightness. http://www.bassbrites.com/ | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1590 Registered: 10-2006 |
"I'd like to get a string endorsement deal them I'd change them more than I do now." Singer-songwriter friend of mine used to have a deal with GHS; he changed strings every set. Peter | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 3437 Registered: 10-2002 |
I've had the current set of black beauties on my Sig dx for around 18 months - still sound great to my ears:-) Graeme | ||
| murray
Intermediate Member Username: murray Post Number: 148 Registered: 7-2007 |
I would like to agree with bassilisk (3/10/2013)in that to replace my Orion 4 would cost in the region of £4500 so why should I be cheapskate about strings. For a long, long time I have used Elites Stainless and each set lasted about 12 gigs. I used to buy them in 3s and could get them for about £13 a set- that is £1 per gig! Surely we earn more than that? Elites are good enough and are more like £16 a set now. Just for a change,I have just bought a set of Skjold stainless from Mark at Bass Direct for £20. I am about to gig them this weekend but trying at home, I am impressed - nice even balance across the strings. Glynn | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3652 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hi Glynn are you gigging anywhere in the midlands? Jazzyvee | ||
| murray
Intermediate Member Username: murray Post Number: 149 Registered: 7-2007 |
Got a small New Orleans jazz gig over here in Northamptonshire this w/end. Some coming up. Will let you know when next over Bham/Cov. | ||
| hankster
Advanced Member Username: hankster Post Number: 338 Registered: 6-2004 |
I suggest, in the interest of science, you tie small knots in your strings and gauge the audience response. If they don't notice, we can all save bags of dough. R. | ||
| hankster
Advanced Member Username: hankster Post Number: 339 Registered: 6-2004 |
I suggest, in the interest of science, you tie small knots in your strings and gauge the audience response. If they don't notice, we can all save bags of dough. R. | ||
| hankster
Advanced Member Username: hankster Post Number: 340 Registered: 6-2004 |
Double post. Sorry. R. | ||
| tncaveman
Intermediate Member Username: tncaveman Post Number: 200 Registered: 2-2011 |
That video was a hoot! I'm certainly going to do this next time I get some dung on my strings. I still boil strings. I used nickel roundwounds and it really helps. My son's strings on his P-bass seem dead to me. I'm going to try the popping the sh** out of them method. One question - where does the dung go when you do this? Stephen | ||
| eligilam
Senior Member Username: eligilam Post Number: 410 Registered: 2-2006 |
@tncaveman: Hint---wear a surgical mask while you're slapping the dung off... | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3655 Registered: 6-2002 |
Or get one of these dung beetles as a pet.  Jazzvee |
