ead

[quote name='brensabre79' timestamp='1332767866' post='1592755'] [url="http://stringbusters.com"]Stringbusters[/url], 19.90 (ex VAT) [/quote] Thanks for that, just noticed your price is ex VAT mine was inc VAT (P&P was foc) so the same really

Just found Ken Smith Balanced string sets on String Busters [url="http://www.stringbusters.com/Ko-Bespoke/productlist.asp?cat=1/BASS+STRINGS/BASS+STRINGS+KEN+SMITH"]http://www.stringbusters.com/Ko-Bespoke/productlist.asp?cat=1/BASS+STRINGS/BASS+STRINGS+KEN+SMITH[/url]

[quote name='brensabre79' timestamp='1332510012' post='1589367'] I've concocted a set from singles I've found available in the UK, just d'addario's 45-60-80-110 which is roughly tension balanced looking at the chart and under £20 for the set. [/quote] May I ask where you sourced them? The cheapest I've managed to find for the same strings came to £24.20 + P&P (stringsdirect website).

I presume the rules apply to flats too, but all the strings I've seen on-line so far are rounds. Yet to check Newtone though.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1332462391' post='1588849'] how soon is soon? [/quote] Shouldn't that be "How soon is now?" (for all Smiths fans)

Rats, too slow on the draw!

Saw The Tubes in Southampton in 1980 or 81 - great show.

[quote name='sixdegrees' timestamp='1332411637' post='1587814'] Are these the ones that Alex C alluded to in his recent BGM? And +1 for the link request! [/quote] The very same! I looked on t'interweb and found a couple of US based suppliers here: [url="http://circlekstrings.com/store/Gauges_And_Tension.html"]http://circlekstrings.com/store/Gauges_And_Tension.html[/url] The tension pdf download is interesting, and if you look at the different tensions on a "standard" set of 105-85-65-45s there's a huge difference compared to the balanced tension offerings. There's also these guys [url="http://www.bassstringsonline.com/Custom-Balanced--Stainless-Steel-Round-Wound_c_23.html"]http://www.bassstringsonline.com/Custom-Balanced--Stainless-Steel-Round-Wound_c_23.html[/url] you can actually nominate your gauges in a pick and mix although it looks like some companies are less generous with the variety of gauges on offer. Ken Smith strings seem to give the best spread. Not seen a UK based supplier yet although I'm sure I've seen posts about companies that will let you specify what you want, not sure about costs though? Postage,duty and VAT clearly apply on US goods, but if there's some demand then I could potentially organise a bulk order.

I'd never encounterd these until recently. Has anybody used them on here and do the feel as good as the PR says they should?

Interesting topic. It would be good to know how many strings are made each year as I suspect the machinery is pretty quick nowadays. I used to work in an electrical cable making factory and the capital cost of the machines was high so they had to be run efficiently with minimal change-over times. I can't imagine string winding machinery is greatly different so if the 15 companies above are all churning them out ...well it's one for a spreadsheet I think! There will be cries of "these are hand wound strings made by virginal elves high in the Andes where the air is pure" - again if it's like a cable that means somebody is watching the machine and making the odd adjustment (more often on the older machinery). I also had the chance to visit a synthetic yarn making company in Italy recently converting pellets of platic into yarn. Unbelievable place, fully automated about 250,000 sq.ft. most of it unlit and employed about 20 people in the production facility turning out squillions of kms of yarn each year.

Bridge all sorted and the bass is as wonderful as ever. Gig in Colne on Saturday If I had a BC "status" it would now be "happy bunny".

I'm using one of the Overwater padded straps. Over 4" wide and with a short piece of elastic on one of the buckles that stops any "jarring". Can't see them on the site any more. IIRC about £40

Has anyone heard anything more about the fretless basses e.g. spec, finishes, prices, availability etc? I'm looking to purchase a fretless bass soon and would hate to think I might have missed out on a sister for my CJ4?

The stretch bit is fine, I'm 6'3" with a decent wing span

I've seen a Westone on evilbay that I'm now monitoring. Do they balance well on strap and lap as the top horn looks a lot shorter that on some other basses? How's the weight too?

[quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1331892003' post='1580389'] Will admit to Barefaced GAS, but unless I actually had a chance to try them, it's manageable...so I'm not trying too hard. [/quote] I'm not far from you at all, so if you'd like to try out some BF gear just PM me!