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Strings Advice - Silver Slaps?


No. 8 Wire
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Hi All, I back for some more DB advice!

I'm considering changing the strings on my 3/4 DB. The guy I got it from was a Jazz player, so the bass is strung with some unidentified steel strings at what seems to me a fairly high tension. The bass also has a fairly high action - about a fat fingertip high at the end of the fingerboard. Seems quite high to me for the tension in the strings, but I've left at that as all the guides say that's about right for rockabilly style. My bridge is the non adjustable type.

So after a few months with it, struggling to learn to play roackabilly, rock n roll and blues, I'm fairly sure I need a change of strings. I'm only going to play those styles, so the consensus seems to be silver slaps as the go to low tension for both pizz and slap styles. Am I right? Anyhting else to consider?

As a DB newbie am I alright changing strings myself? I'll look up some guides before I do it obviously but is this usually DIY or normally done by a luthier?

Grateful for any advice

Dan

Edited by No. 8 Wire
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I've not found a slap string set that was also good for pizz on the E string, they're always too floppy to get decent note definition. But that's the sacrifice you make to have a low tension string for slapping, Innovation strings are great though, so the Silver Slaps will do the rockabilly side of things nicely.

When it comes to changing strings, do them one at a time and keep the tension on the remaining three strings, If you take all the strings off at once there's a good chance your sound post will fall over and that will require a trip to a luthier to put back in place.

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Yes, the rev is spot on re changing strings one at a time - you don't want to risk the sound post falling over!

Re string choice, I use silver slaps. They're good for slap, and they Pizz ok too. I find the E string doesnt seem quite as loud as the other strings - but oddly, it sounds fine when amplified. Of course, other factors like pickups, preamps and amps / speakers.

The silver slaps are a good way into learning slap. They tend not to bow too well though IMO, and I've heard most other DB players say the same thing. I did have Spurocore Weichs fitted to my bass previously - I found they are one type of steel string I actually could slap, but the silver slaps have a better slap tone IMO...

My EUB is wearing innovation silvers (as opposed to silver slaps) and these seem slightly higher tension. Again, they're good strings, but the silver slaps are slightly warmer, I think....

Silver slaps and gold slaps are apparently the same, appart from their colour. Not tried the innovation rockabilly's, which might be another option for you.

With DB strings, there are a whole load more options, and it might seem mind blowing to the newcomer. Keep an eye on the marketplace though, as players often try a new set of strings, then decide to change to different strings and move a relatively new set ofstrings on to someone else

Good luck in your search

EDIT: I learned DB slap on a set of kindly donated "weedwackers" - they definitely helped me to learn slap - they were OK, but the E string was way way too floppy on these, so I'd advise against weedwackers, unless you find youre really struggling with the technique (I certainly was) - but I quickly swapped them for innovations

Edited by Marc S
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Thanks Marc, I've ordered some silver slaps so I'll see how I get on with them. To be honest I have to like them as I can't afford to keep changing strings. I have a decent e bass that cost less than these!

Will let you know how I get on and no doubt ask some more questions!

Cheers, Dan

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Ps. I've got an adjustable DB bridge for sale atm. That would definitely need a luthier to fit though....
I do like having an adjustable bridge on DB - its helped me when swapping strings, as I can get the action I want, to suit the strings fitted, and I've gradually raised the action as I've improved my technique

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Hi Rory Smith - are those Roto 4000s any good with a bow?
I recall playing a DB with Roto nylon wound (black) strings - they were nice looking strings, and sounded quite "dark", but they were rather too "dead" sounding for my liking.... the Innovations sound much warmer to me. Also, those Nylon wound strings didn't seem to bow at all well... Just wondered what the 4000s were like? It seems to me that no DB string is a good "all rounder" - perhaps I'm wrong, but maybe the best on that front are the Spirocore Weichs?

EDIT: I'm not much of a bow player - but it's nice to occasionally have the option of playing something simple with a bow....

Edited by Marc S
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[quote name='rorysmith' timestamp='1496614756' post='3312778']
Just fitted some Roto RS4000s on my bass this weekend, great slap tone, really easy to play and a lovely pizz tone too.
[/quote]

I had a look at those, the reviews were a bit marmite whereas the silver slaps are mainly positive, same price so for safety's sake went with the innovations.

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Silver Slaps are a good tension all round string for rockabilly/roots playing - I tried countless other sets and migrated back to these. I did also enjoy Blast Cult Low Life's.

An adjustable bridge would be a great investment and it's surprising how low you can go and get a good slap with the right technique.

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[quote name='paddy109' timestamp='1496651256' post='3312881']
Silver Slaps are a good tension all round string for rockabilly/roots playing - I tried countless other sets and migrated back to these. I did also enjoy Blast Cult Low Life's.

An adjustable bridge would be a great investment and it's surprising how low you can go and get a good slap with the right technique.
[/quote]

You are probably right. I might give a local luthier a call and see what it will cost to get one fitted. I could probably do with a new longer end pin as well so I'll ask about that at the same time.

A couple more stupid questions

1. I'll have to get the K&K pickups moved over to the new bridge - how are they fixed on? I'm sure a luthier would know how to move them, but just in case how is it done? Any specialist gear/glue?

2. Using an adjustable bridge: How much do you need to slacken off the strings to adjust the bridge? I'm foreseeing some comedy moment here where I slacken off the strings and the bridge falls over and the sound post etc....

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I only had the Bassmax and this slotted in the wing slot (most people keep this on the E string side) - if you are getting a luthier to fit a new bridge and end pin just get them to fit the pickup - the pickup wants to fit snug but not murder tight. There's probably info on the K&K website as well.

I used to just slacken the strings a little before making adjustments on the bridge - never any dramas but jut keep an eye on the feet of the bridge and they remain flat on your bass.

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[quote name='paddy109' timestamp='1496658348' post='3312962']
I only had the Bassmax and this slotted in the wing slot (most people keep this on the E string side) - if you are getting a luthier to fit a new bridge and end pin just get them to fit the pickup - the pickup wants to fit snug but not murder tight. There's probably info on the K&K website as well.

I used to just slacken the strings a little before making adjustments on the bridge - never any dramas but jut keep an eye on the feet of the bridge and they remain flat on your bass.
[/quote]

Thanks Paddy,

My pickups appear to be a set of these:

http://kksound.com/pdf/doublebigtwin.pdf

Probably superglued on, but there seems to be hope the can come off! http://kksound.com/support/trouble/removepure.php

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[quote name='paddy109' timestamp='1496658348' post='3312962']
....I used to just slacken the strings a little before making adjustments on the bridge - never any dramas but jut keep an eye on the feet of the bridge and they remain flat on your bass.
[/quote]

Same here - I've not had any problems with the bridge falling over

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[quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1496648767' post='3312860']
Hi Rory Smith - are those Roto 4000s any good with a bow?
I recall playing a DB with Roto nylon wound (black) strings - they were nice looking strings, and sounded quite "dark", but they were rather too "dead" sounding for my liking.... the Innovations sound much warmer to me. Also, those Nylon wound strings didn't seem to bow at all well... Just wondered what the 4000s were like? It seems to me that no DB string is a good "all rounder" - perhaps I'm wrong, but maybe the best on that front are the Spirocore Weichs?

EDIT: I'm not much of a bow player - but it's nice to occasionally have the option of playing something simple with a bow....
[/quote]

I've not got a working bow at the moment so haven't attempted but I can't imagine the D and G would be great, the E and A would probably be a lot better.

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[quote name='No. 8 Wire' timestamp='1496648982' post='3312861']


I had a look at those, the reviews were a bit marmite whereas the silver slaps are mainly positive, same price so for safety's sake went with the innovations.
[/quote]

Yeah that's fair enough. I managed to pick up a cheap set but glad I did. I like the silver slaps too.

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