TheButler Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 All in the title. So, I love the P-Bass. Had it a good few years, and its properly played in now. It is my only bass. Don't have the money to get a 70's Jazz at the moment - which [i]is[/i] the next purchase. The bass is all original, I don't particularly want to swap out pups, or have any internal pre-amp. So, what options do I have here? By versatile I kinda just want it to do something other than [i]that[/i] thunderous P-Bass sound. I currently have 4 year old thomastik flats on it too... Don't get me wrong I love the sound it does, and need that sound 75% of the time. I just need something a little more 'articulate' the other 25%. Ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tredders Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 How about adding a P Retro - they don't need any modification to fit. I've got one in my Shuker, and it gives a lot of flexibility. [youtube]http://youtu.be/bRKwHe5ZkZc[/youtube] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Put rounds on it ? Then you'll get less thunder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheButler Posted September 22, 2013 Author Share Posted September 22, 2013 [quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1379881955' post='2217833'] Put rounds on it ? Then you'll get less thunder [/quote] My delicate fingers unfortunately dictate roundwounds. Last time I played roundwounds I had pretty bad dermititis on my hands. You're right though, it would open up the sound so I won't discount them! P-Retro... always been aware of them, might have a shufty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 (edited) Delicate fingers ? Put some rounds on, you complete pansy Seriously - I had a jretro for a while and it's worth thinking about. You can't make sound that isn't there though so ground wounds / flats might defeat it a little Edited September 22, 2013 by Geek99 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Another vote for John East. Or you could experiment with pedals and/or outboard pre-amps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamfist Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 If you're getting genuine dermatitis with nickel roundwounds, you very likely have an allergy to nickel. Try Steel roundwounds instead.... much lower nickel content. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheButler Posted September 22, 2013 Author Share Posted September 22, 2013 [quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1379882336' post='2217844'] Delicate fingers ? Put some rounds on, you complete pansy Seriously - I had a jretro for a while and it's worth thinking about. You can't make sound that isn't there though so ground wounds / flats might defeat it a little [/quote] It was seriously bad... they looked like a melted cheese toasty. Proper disgusting stuff. When proper going for (geein' it laldy) bits of skin would be flying all over the front row. Okay so John East, and a search for outboard pre's maybe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 GHS Pressure wound strings. Tone up for articulate. Tone down for thunder. I bet yours kill problems were from a nickel reaction. So Steel flats like Chromes are a great option too. Super reactive to the tone control too. Or an outboard preamp like the new VT Bass DI, or a Tone Hammer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Kill should have been skin. Stupid iPad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Another +1 for the John East. I've had a couple of J retros, and if the P retro is half as good as those were, then it's well worth getting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 amp Eq. Tone out the thunder when you need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Dave Hall makes some interesting kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheButler Posted September 22, 2013 Author Share Posted September 22, 2013 [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1379882874' post='2217873'] amp Eq. Tone out the thunder when you need it. [/quote] The Mesa's EQ doesn't give me enough to play with. I can't really 'sculpt' - there is little deviation from what is an overwhelmingly thumpy rumble. I'm just starting to get complaints from band members that I sound out of the mix on everything except Jamerson-ey/Motown stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Hope I'm not going OT here, but why not leave the bass alone and just add pedals? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1379883177' post='2217886'] Hope I'm not going OT here, but why not leave the bass alone and just add pedals? [/quote] You're not OT Jack - I have suggested this already and as we all know I never go OT, ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 OK Mark, I'm blaming the really late night last night and the vintage rum this evening ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 John East is actually a basschat member, you know. I'm sure he could advise you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheButler Posted September 22, 2013 Author Share Posted September 22, 2013 (edited) [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1379883177' post='2217886'] Hope I'm not going OT here, but why not leave the bass alone and just add pedals? [/quote] This is for sure a very simple thing that I evidently overlooked. Tone Hammer and VT Bass DI are on the 'to google' list. Some of you may think that at this rate I could just as well buy another bass. Unfortunately, I have a sort of seperate bass fund, that a 70's Jazz will be coming out of. Current household ambience dictates that no new basses shall pass the front door threshold. Edited September 22, 2013 by TheButler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1379883369' post='2217894'] OK Mark, I'm blaming the really late night last night and the vintage rum this evening ... [/quote] Ohhh! Right that's it, I'm off to catch last orders! Don't wait up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 [quote name='TheButler' timestamp='1379883493' post='2217897'] Tone Hammer and VT Bass DI are on the 'to google' list. [/quote] And jolly good they are too, but don't forget all the toys. Fuzz & distortion, chorus & tremolo, synth & envelope filters, blah blah blah ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheButler Posted September 22, 2013 Author Share Posted September 22, 2013 [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1379883603' post='2217902'] And jolly good they are too, but don't forget all the toys. Fuzz & distortion, chorus & tremolo, synth & envelope filters, blah blah blah ... [/quote] Eh. Naw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 [quote name='TheButler' timestamp='1379883150' post='2217885'] The Mesa's EQ doesn't give me enough to play with. I can't really 'sculpt' - there is little deviation from what is an overwhelmingly thumpy rumble. I'm just starting to get complaints from band members that I sound out of the mix on everything except Jamerson-ey/Motown stuff. [/quote] ? that sounds a wee bit odd. Time for new strings then. If round wounds messed with your hands was that cos they were nickels or just generally? Set of cheap strings costs what £10 - try it out see what happens. Also how old is the lead... old leads if they get damaged can act as an extra tone control... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheButler Posted September 22, 2013 Author Share Posted September 22, 2013 Well, the lead was newish. Got nicked at last gig though. My money is on the keyboard player. He had a shifty look about him after the gig. I think it was the nickel thing. These flatwounds mustn't be nickel, I've never had a problem with them. So what strings have zero nickel then? Someone mentioned GHS Pressure somethings. They frankly just [i]sound[/i] cool. I really can't go back to having those 3rd degree burn hands again. It was awful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 (edited) Contact strings direct ? They can surely point you at nickel free strings. Your problem is not exactly rare according to a quick google search. This problem has a solution and a fairly cheap one Edited September 22, 2013 by Geek99 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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