Members seraphim7s Posted August 13, 2008 Members Share Posted August 13, 2008 ... sound most like steels? I want those aggresively grinding high mids, but without the harsh feel of steels. In fact, I love the feel of really smooth roundwounds, like D'Addario - but they sound a bit too 'modern'. Oh, and I don't like slack feeling strings ie those without enough tension. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TheBurkMan Posted August 13, 2008 Members Share Posted August 13, 2008 I would suggest Sadowsky Blue Nickel rounds, with this one warning. Big Round warm modern basses like MTD's, and Foderas have a tough time getting this sound no matter what the strings. Also "full range" flat sounding cabs or heads have the same problem. You need a J pickup configuration (the bridge pickup is key) and a mid punchy amp. Their are different flavors of this sound but Ash Maple J basses with amps like the Thunderfunk, Little Mark II, Eden WT series seem to do it best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members seraphim7s Posted August 13, 2008 Author Members Share Posted August 13, 2008 Never been much of a J-bass man - check out my sig! Always found them to be a bit nasal, and not aggressive enough (unlike a P-bass with the tone controls wide open). I honestly don't think I've ever seen Sadowsky strings available in the UK ... erm, I have seen Dean Markley Blue Steels, tho! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TheBurkMan Posted August 14, 2008 Members Share Posted August 14, 2008 A J with the right pickups and pre turns that nasal-ness into a real low mid range punch tone monster. As far as growl, back off the front pick-up a bit you will have growl for days. Thats why guys like Jason Newsted use them. Your right about one thing, their is an unmistakable thump that only a P can give you. I play in a rotation with guys who could only any bass in the world and most of us have ended up with some Jazz Variant, either Avello Coppola, Celender or Sadowsky. In-between us we've all had Fodera's, MTD's, Roscoes, and Ken Smiths but we keep coming back to Super J's. We do a wide variety of rock-pop stuff and need versatility. But their is something way cool about an older P, I played a 74 last week that ripped, great old school vibe. As far as the strings you can order them here, but he does have dealers in the UK http://www.sadowsky.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members seraphim7s Posted August 14, 2008 Author Members Share Posted August 14, 2008 Not really that keen on Newsteads tone (when you can hear it) but I know what you mean. My favourite J-bass tone is actually from a very modest, 'in the pocket' type guy - the bassist from the Strokes, Nikolai Fraiture. I found I could get a good approximation by lowering the neck pup, full on the bridge, and playing with a plec by the bridge, and then turning the tone control all the way down, whilst not pushing the amp too hard (otherwise it gets 'fuzzy' rather than cutting). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members puckdude66 Posted August 14, 2008 Members Share Posted August 14, 2008 Have you tried the Rotosound nickel wounds? I currently use those on my basses to help protect the frets from grinding down. I've found they sound quite a bit like steel for a month or two before mellowing out some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members illidian Posted August 14, 2008 Members Share Posted August 14, 2008 I've heard of some "Bright Nickel" strings. Most notably Sadowsky and D'Addario. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members seraphim7s Posted August 15, 2008 Author Members Share Posted August 15, 2008 What's the diff between the Sadowsky blue and black labels, pray tell? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members illidian Posted August 16, 2008 Members Share Posted August 16, 2008 What's the diff between the Sadowsky blue and black labels, pray tell? I believe that, generally, in an A/B comparison, the Blues had richer mids. Some even claimed they couldn't tell the difference on TalkBass (there was a long thread when they were first being introduced, might be worth looking into). Roger said he's not using descriptions so that each person can listen with their ears and not with what they've read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members seraphim7s Posted August 16, 2008 Author Members Share Posted August 16, 2008 Hmmm ... I should check them out. I've found a supplier on Ebay who'll ship them over for the US for about Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bernie P. Posted August 16, 2008 Members Share Posted August 16, 2008 I prefer nickel rounds myself.DM Blue Steels in nickel are my favorite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jugghaid Posted August 16, 2008 Members Share Posted August 16, 2008 DR Fatbeams Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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