mcnach

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1436894861' post='2821836'] I probably should qualify that all my observations about overrall bass tone are strictly for my 'real world' situations. I play rock n pop covers in pub bands. If I can hear subtle differences in sound in isolation but they are not translated into a difference in sound when I'm playing in the band at gigging volume they are irrelevant to me. I'm only really interested in what the audience hears. This just doesn't apply to strings but changes in pick ups, amps, cabs etc. It's only when they make big enough differences to be noticeable in the 'real world' that they are of any consequence to me. I never practice at home using my gigging rig. [/quote] same here! to be honest, a large part of what makes me like a string is the way they feel, the way they "bounce", as well as the actual sound, so for a pair of string types that sound the same to me, perhaps I still prefer one over the other based purely on feel. Feel is very important as it affects the way I play even if they sounded the same. Some strings just don't have the "meatiness£ that others do. This also means that I may prefer different strings for different basses depending on their setup and what sound I go for (different sounds for different bands...). I agree that much of the audible differences are lost by the time you get the full band going in a bar environment, but the way they feel will affect the way I play, or the way I feel about playing, which affects the final result and my enjoyment of a gig, of course.

[quote name='Jus Lukin' timestamp='1436892769' post='2821816'] Finally got round to ordering the QTX, and it arrived this afternoon. It has many features I don't need, but seems to sound fine for it's intended purpose. I'm having some real trouble with noise coming from the back panel though- did you find any thing like that Mcnach? There are some definite points of air leakage (I can literally feel it puffing from a couple of the switches!), so hopefully it's just a case of plugging or gumming up the right spots. Not sure I'll take it to rehearsal tonight, just in case it is a faulty unit... [/quote] Hmmm, no, mine didn't do that [1]. It did develop some rattling after a couple of months... it sounds like there's a loose nut/washer inside, but I had been taking it places and not being particularly gentle with it so I wasn't going to go back and moan It's still ok. There's some hiss, plugged/battery with/without instrument attached, but it's not audible on the street or in a bar with people around etc. [1] more correctly: I have not noticed anything like that. I have not checked, or felt I had a reason to check.

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1436889574' post='2821766'] Someone bought me a set of Roto's for xmas so I swapped them for the Coban strings on my US precision, through my rig in a band context I couldn't hear any noticeable difference. The Roto's were just about done by last month so i changed back to a new set of Coban's. No one at a gig or in rehearsal has made any comment about any change in tone (other than a new set obviously sound a bit brighter for a while). I can't tell any difference in guage between them and the previous set of Roto 45-105's from the feel of them either. Not bothered to try to measure them. [/quote] enjoy them, by all means! I'm actually envious!

I wouldn't... if I wanted a 5-string, THAT Lakland would be it

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1436781632' post='2820591'] I seem to have gone against the general consensus. After years of trying various manufacturers (rotos, elixirs, ernie ball, elite, fender own brand, others I can't even recall) I came to the conclusion that one 45-105 roundwound stainless sounds much like another, there were other parts of the process that were having far bigger influences on 'my tone' than the string. So I just looked around for a cheap reliable string of the type I wanted and ended up with these; [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Coban-Guitar-Strings-Deluxe-DCG3/dp/B00A3HGGP8"]http://www.amazon.co...3/dp/B00A3HGGP8[/url] No issues so far. [/quote] I tried them (at that price, I had to!!! ) They are not bad, but they didn't sound great to me. I replaced them with a set of Fender steel 7350M and the bass sprung to life by comparison. I guess if you like stainless steel strings after they've been on for a while, the Coban ones can be ok. The gauge seemed strange too, they did not measure what the packet said, but a little less. For cheap stainless, I like the Red Label Warwick. They're only about £11-12, and they sound pretty good. A little rough on the fingers, but I soon get used to it. This reminds me, I have a set of S.I.T. stainless strings to try, I should do that soon... my Jake needs restringing so it should be a good opportunity.

... and if someone is near Liverpool and wants one.. I just noticed this! [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Squier-Black-Matt-Freeman-Signature-Model-Precision-Bass-/111716991312?"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Squier-Black-Matt-Freeman-Signature-Model-Precision-Bass-/111716991312?[/url] disclaimer: nothing to do with me!

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1436621051' post='2819598'] I do like rounds for tone but I cant get past all the string noise. I really admire players who can play clean with rounds. Maybe as I evolve and get better as a player I might come back to them. I know part of the problem is me dragging my fingers.[/quote] Try cutting down the high treble it helps me a lot

[quote name='pfretrock' timestamp='1436551888' post='2819171'] Just had a delivery by dpd, never heard of them before. I got 5 hours notice of a 1 hour delivery slot, it arrived 30 minutes into the slot. Tracking gave a link to google map which showed where the van was, what parcel number he was delivering (75) and what my parcel number was (87). Looking at the route the van took across town, it was well organised for shortest routes, updated at every drop. I guess this would be too much to ask of every delivery company. But ParcelForce have alway delivered my Thomann stuff within 36 hours from reaching UK (no strikes in Europe at that time). But really, I should get a life or take bass lessons rather than follow tracking on PC [/quote] DPD are about the best around. Whenever I see something it's been delivered by then, I relax.

[quote name='4-string-thing' timestamp='1436521086' post='2818782'] Hmmm, I did have some self adhesive velcro strips somewhere, but I'd be worried about ruining the carpet on my brand new cab. Guess if it's only done occasionally it would take a fair while before any bobbling occurs... Actually, I've just tried it.... It's a terrible idea! Doesn't really work as the angle is all wrong and the combo ends up too far forward and it seems very unstable. Maybe with a bigger (deeper) cab underneath it would be ok.... [/quote] ah pity...

[quote name='4-string-thing' timestamp='1436517462' post='2818709'] Yup, I've since bought the NY121 extension cab to go under the combo, but it's still not really that high, so I'm thinking of chopping an inch off either end end of the bottom tubes and using it to angle the combo whilst standing on top of the cab.... Not sure if it's a good idea or not, but what's the worst that could happen eh? [/quote] I like that idea. It may be possible to use a couple of long strips of tough velcro to go over the stand's feet and attach to the bottom cab (it's covered in carpet), giving a bit of extra protection against bumps. Maybe?

[quote name='4-string-thing' timestamp='1435311492' post='2807466'] The Stagg GAS-4.2 is a good buy on ebay, works great with my Markbass CMD121 and is less than half the price of those two at about £15! [/quote] Yup. I bought one of them recently and I've just used mine tonight. It's perfect for an amp the size of the Markbass, although it can take something a little bigger too for sure. I think it's just elevated enough to not lose the "oomph", and you can adjust the angle. It's brilliant.

[quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1436342469' post='2817177'] Maybe the tracking system has designated waypoints - depots/hubs at which a consignment gets booked in when it arrives. If the last place a box was seen was in Koln and the next place it's supposed to be booked in is at some distribution hub somewhere in England... well to the system it still seems to be in Germany even though it's waiting at Calais? [/quote] it is possible,, and their tracking does not get updated immediately along the way in my experience. But once it's in the UK's final destination, the tracking system lets you know exactly when it's out for delivery.