Dood

So! Winners should have had their strings for a bit of time now and forming opinions. We all look forward to reading your reviews! - Remember, best review wins an extra lil' prize from me! - It'll be a good prize! What do we think, how about a poll for you all to vote on? - I've also posted my thoughts about the BT set I've had on my Shuker recently elsewhere on the forum too. Look out for some more competitions coming up in the future!

I've been using a balanced set on my Shuker headless for a bit now - played some gigs, did a bit of recording and some private practice time. I've also just slapped another set of strings on my bass to compare to as well that are 'part worn' verses using a brand new set. I have to say that although subtle, it was mainly when I put a set on after taking the BTs off that I noticed the differences in string tensions. Now, I don't know - I have a feeling that I have been SO used to my standard gauges for years that I probably couldn't tell you for sure what is spot on even and what is not. I can definitely feel that the set I've just pulled out of my 'spares box' doesn't quite feel right. I'm already thinking about putting a nice new set of Pro Steels on right away (I would put BTs on, but I gave all of mine to you lovely people to review!!!!) So, as usual, I love the tone. They are still XL Nickels so last exactly the same time, so no differences there. In my head that E sounded a bit fuller and certainly using a pick across the strings seemed firmer across the board between strings. - Now, I reckon I'll be wanting some balanced Pro Steels next then D'Addario. I can't fault the strings - and, as thodrik has said above - it's not as if D'Addario are breaking the bank. Good stuff. I genuinely like 'em!

I know you wanna see my pedal! http://www.facebook.com/zoomcorpuk?fref=ts

And I am back with answers! [b]You will be very pleased to hear that the RRP on the MS60B will be £99[/b]

I'll ask now.

[quote name='Mark_Bass' timestamp='1364736033' post='2030137'] What the hell is Parallel compression?! [/quote] To simplify, Parallel compression is a studio technique that is probably best known for use on drums. If you mix your compressed bass signal with a 'dry' uncompressed signal, that is basically parallel compression. As you already know I guess, compression not only limits your loud notes but also when set up well, can raise the volume of your quieter passages automatically too. Now, what if you don't want your punchy dynamics limited but want the quieter passages (usually fast lines) lifted in volume? Well, Parallel compression can help here. The dry signal lets your louder passages pass unhindered, but if you switch to say, a tapping line or a legato progression, the compressor will lift the level for you closer to the volume of your louder playing. - I also like using this method before a decent bass distortion to fatten up the grit a bit. - It allows you to turn the gain down a little but maintain a smoother level of drive all the time. Some compressor pedals, such as the JHS Lime Aid, TC Nova Dynamics and Xotic SP have an inbuilt blend knob for mixing said clean signal in - others you'll need extra devices, such as an LS-2 to gain the same effect. I've tried to explain as simply as possible! I hope it makes sense!

It does a great deal of the B3 in a single stompbox, with a few rather clever options. - I've been totally bogged down with a house move for the last week or so have been unable to give it the beans. I can already confirm that this will be a keeper along with my B3.

You should see what's currently sat on my studio desk! - OH!!! You will once I've done the videos. I bloody love it. The very first ones in the UK

Did you see the Blog competition for Balanced Sets? - The closing date has passed now, but we'll have three reviews coming up from the lucky string winners soon! http://blog.basschat.co.uk/competition-daddario-introduce-new-balanced-tension-sets-for-guitar-and-bass/

[quote name='kristo' timestamp='1363975896' post='2020483'] Cheers Dood. Good to know there's a teacher nearby too. [/quote] Thank you! Yes, I teach too! See you on the forum!

Fionn, what a great post! Yup, I have to totally agree. I've spent time on many other forums and this is the one I always keep coming back to. So much so that eventually *they* decided I can't leave and gave me a job to do! Well over ten years now, in fact since being a founder member of the original Bassworld forum I've been involved with this community - it's brilliant, free, accessible and friendly. Feels like a great local pub where everyone just wants to hang out and have a drink together. For that, it's why I've been 'working behind the bar for free' for so long. You just can't buy this kinda awesomeness!

p.s., I'm just north of the border! - I have this sleepy facebook page for us too: http://www.facebook.com/EastAnglianBassPlayers

What a superb and bassy heartwarming story! That's very cool! Welcome aboard a superb and vibrant community of awesome people!

Funnily you should ask about sound treatment. A couple of people I know are manufacturing custom panels. I've a few coming myself and was thinking about doing a little review here. They'd asked if they can advertise offering BassChat a discount in the Affiliates Marketplace. I'll be sure to arrange that as I know that many of us want to treat studio / teaching and rehearsal spaces without breaking the bank.

Congratulations to the following, you will be receiving the bass string sets for review in the post over the next few days or so. Dean P Nutt (Dean P Nutt) will be reviewing at the EXL170BT set (Machines) will be reviewing at the EXL220BT Gregg Mudd (fivestring.co.uk) will be reviewing the EXL160BT

[quote name='thodrik' timestamp='1363619790' post='2014822'] I find the 'light/super light/medium' descriptions of strings to be essentially useless. Just tell me the gauge and let me decide on whether its light etc. [/quote] Yup, there's more important things in life to worry about! Whilst I have 5 minutes spare in between 'jobs', I can tell you that the EXL170BT set performed really well at the weekend. I've really nothing negative to say, though my own performance was hampered due to cutting the tip of my finger off accidentally whilst moving house on the day of the gig. I spent more time trying not to keep re-opening the wound throughout the 2 hour sesh! I'd actually changed sets from Steels to the BT Nickels, so the feel this time round was a more noticeable difference as D'addario Nickels tend to have a firmer feel due to the higher tension.

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1363357281' post='2011749'] If the .105 set now has a .107 gauge E string, shouldn't it be called a .107 set now? [/quote] The set is known as EXL170BT although 45-107 or, 'Regular Light' would probably suffice in the absence of the former.

I've dropped an Xotic SP Compressor in my board to test as it comes with a blend as standard, I'm gonna see how I get on with it. It doesn't seem to like really hot pickups, so I may end up going for the MXR anyway!!!

Cheers Gareth and RATM! Keep em coming!

Cheers Charic, yeah the guys at DV are brilliant - they are near where I record my Guitar Mag reviews!

Ok, to clarify - I specified MIDI Keyboard / Controller. i.e a keyboard 'deck' with MIDI output . A controller that does not contain any sounds of it's own. The M50 I am very aware has MIDI capability - it is a Workstation rather than just a controller. As for budget - is £100 a good price for a decent controller? I will be using it for synth type parts as well as bashing out drum lines, but I won't personally be doing any Jordan Rudess / Jem Godfrey impressions on it. Nor do I need the touch sensitivity of a piano weighted controller. Think is, I don;t wanna buy an over priced keyboard that feels rubbish to play, but nor do I want to be coughing up for something thatcosts the same as the secondhand price of my M50 - thus, I may as well keep the M50!

Any that I should avoid?

Oh - I've got a set on my bass already and will be gigging it at the weekend. So far, things are feeling pretty good!

Hopefully I have read the document correctly. I have copied the tensions for a Nickel Wound D'addario XL string tuned to E. I would say that there is quite a big difference in tension between that of a 105 and 110, so it seems on the face of it raising to a 107 does make a bit of difference. Certainly a massive change between a .095 and .120! Have I understood this correctly? [font=Helvetica][size=2][size=2]XL - Nickelplated Round Wound[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=1][size=2]Long Scale[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=1][size=2]Item# Unit Weight Tension[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=1][size=2]XLB095 .00169349 27.3 [/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=1][size=2]XLB100 .00179687 29.0 [/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=1][size=2]XLB105 .00198395 32.0[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=1][size=2]XLB110 .00227440 36.7 [/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=1][size=2]XLB120 .00250280 40.3 [/size][/size][/font]

Bump!