fretmeister

Lovely!

Smallest ones I've found are the EBS ones https://www.amazon.co.uk/EBS-Cables-PCF-10-Patch-Cable/dp/B00I4IKVTU/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=ebs+flat+patch+cable&qid=1666705601&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIzLjI1IiwicXNhIjoiMy4wOCIsInFzcCI6IjIuODgifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=ebs+%2Caps%2C84&sr=8-5

Since I ruptured a tendon in my right hand middle finger, and then developed arthritis in the proximal finger joint I have been moving to lighter and lighter gauge strings in the hope that I might reduce the times when the finger kind of hooks onto the string rather than just plucking it. On one of my basses I've also got a ramp which really helps. But I needed to restring my shorty and I put some Dunlop 45-105 flats on it and they are pretty high tension compared with what I'm used to, even with the short scale. It does not have a ramp on it (yet). But I wasn't hooking nearly as much as I was with the previous strings. So, experiment time. I took off the very flexible Ti Jazz Rounds that were on my Sanderg 5 and put on a set of D'addario Prosteel 45-105 (with a Tapered .130 B). A quick tweak of the set up later I'm playing far more fluidly on it and it doesn't have a ramp yet (it will still get one). It seems that the lower tension strings were too easy to move laterally so the damaged finger was pulling it along with it rather than plucking it and then moving onwards. The higher tension strings cannot be moved as easily so it forces the finger to straighten and move past it instead, and the string doesn't get taken along for the ride. Ok - my left hand is now complaining from doing more work, but that strength will build up quickly. I've not used 45-105 for decades. Usually 40-100 or 35-95. I still need to get the action spot on and I do like a stupidly low action. With the higher tension strings I can make it even lower than it was before. I am very happy at this discovery. The injury has really affected my playing and I'm discovering that even tiny changes can make a massive difference. Roll on next rehearsal!

Definitely true. Most roundcore strings come with a warning about it.

Best thing I ever did was learn to read. I got through the first 20 years of playing without, then started to play with my kids who were getting lessons on clarinet and sax. Learning to read loads of different stuff when those 2 instruments transpose differently was a real development point for me. So many more pieces of music are now accessible. If there's no bass part then the trombone or the bass clef part of a piano score is all there. It also allows me to properly play stuff from different arrangers. The Hal leonard library stuff has multiple versions of the same tune but arranged differently. Different styles come through even more that way. If you read at all (only Grade 2-3 level) then there is loads of HL stuff on youtube where the entire score is on screen and flips as needed. If you watch it on a big enough screen you can read it straight from the telly. Here's an easy big band arrangement of "Think" - the bass part is nearer the bottom With Youtube's speed controls it can be played back really slowly while maintaining pitch. It's great for learning. There's loads of similar stuff on youtube, as well as loads of No-Bass backing tracks in a variety of keys / styles / tempos / time sigs. Like this

Still can’t have a J neck on a P.

No idea. I’ve seen short tang frets before but usually short enough so the slot doesn’t reach the edge of the fretboard at all, to make it invisible. Are you in a particularly humid place where the wood could have expanded a bit?

Tiny blob of superglue and then sanded would have sorted that, and been invisible.

I came here to say this too.

I've only ever seen American youtubers complain about it. It's a fantastic bridge. And once it is set, it stays put.

That might be a really clever idea!

I should also mention that as soon as my Lionel is here I'm planning on ordering another Sandberg too. Probably a Central (the new stingray inspired one) but maybe a VS4 (P bass) Sandberg use the same neck for their P and J types. I love that as it's my favourite neck shape anyway.

I've had a Cali 1 TM4 and TM5 and I currently own Cali 2 superlight TT4 and TT5. They are my main basses. I love them. I've got a Lionel on order at the moment for delivery next year too. I think they are fabulous basses.

Is the Paradriver drive sound the same as the BDDI?

Might as well go with Ultralights while you are at it. Makes far more of a difference than you think it would.

500w More headroom and it has a volume control.

Good luck!

I once went to a shop event where Billy Sheehan was the guest of honour. As he walked in I was trying to play one of his tunes... and I completely frakked it up. I was mortified.

I might have to give them a go.

£19 delivery! Also - I like 40-100.

Strewth! On an Ibby Mezzo and on my P bass shorty I have Dunlop flats. Last time I changed the strings the sets were about £50 or so. Expensive, but they last many years so I was ok with that. They are now £95!! (Or £115 for the 5 string set). I realise the exchange rate with the USA is in the toilet, but this is shocking. Wish I had bought a few sets last time.

Alas those are nickels. I don't get on with them.

I’ve got EMG j set in mine with their preamp. But with all jazz basses I think they need a boost at about 100hz to give some proper welly but without the flub of boosting lower than that. So a preamp with a variable mid that goes down to 100hz is really useful.