Bass strings/sound
Home > Home Recording Forum > Gear Gab > Bass strings/sound
Posted on Sep 21, 2005 11:01 am
crux
Typo Szar
Member Since: Jul 04, 2002
So our band has to record bass, and our bassist is relaly short on cash, he cant buy new bass strings. We use a m-audio 66 into cubase. And weve tried micing the amp, direct into mixer, Bass POD everythign almost, but his strings r so old adn rusty they have almost no tone. Every note played soudns teh same, and there is no definition or quality. ARe their any trix to give old strings a newer sound? Can we WD-40 them? clean some of teh rust off?
[ Back to Top ]
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Sep 21, 2005 11:52 am what have you got to loose? they're already crap now as it is. I'd take them off the bass, spray with PB blaster, (or wd40), and run a light wirewheel over them. Very light, as you don't want to remove any of the metal, only the rust.
Another possible cause of the dead sound, is the pickups. They may have oxidation (rust) all throughout the electronics. Oxidation can show up as other things as well, like corrosion, flakes, etc.
Man, one of you guys needs to get a paper route or start flippin burgers or something =).
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Sep 21, 2005 02:17 pm pjk's right. I can usually pick up a set of Ernie Ball strings for $15. Also, try your local stores, they sometimes have clearance sales on old stock. Might not have his favourite Rotosound strings, but he can't be picky right now....
What happens when he breaks a string? I've never seen bass strings sold as singles!
Simplest, and best solution - even for the most starving of artists - is to buy new strings. Funny how he's managed to get a Bass POD, but not new strings. His bass is his tool for the job. It needs to be kept "sharp."
Pull me off this soapbox anytime you like....
Another thing to try is to boil the strings in a pan of water with a drop (just a drop.....more than that and you're in trouble) of dishwashing detergent. Boil for about ten minutes, or until you're really disgusted at the scum coming out of the strings. Rinse in cold water, and then dry with a cotton cloth (not a towel, or a paper towel, as you'll get lint into the strings). If possible, use a product like "FastFret" once they're back on the bass. This should give you a little twang back. Nail Polish remover (or similar acetone based chemicals) can also help to pull some of the grease and grime out of the strings. They won't be brand new, but they'll be closer than the James Jamerson specials he has now.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Sep 21, 2005 02:44 pm Yeah with bass strings, boil them. Its a good quick fix for old dead strings, but nothing beats new strings.
Can't the rest of the band chip in $5 or $10 apiece and buy the poor bum a set of strings? I mean, it's not exactly a diamond ring...no financing necessary.
RigsbyUltra MagnusMember
Since: Nov 13, 2004
Sep 22, 2005 02:08 am Yeah, boiling'll give you enough zing back in the string to get the recording done at least, but all it really does is remove all the bits of your fingers that rub off and are dulling the strings, so it's only a temporary solution.
Sep 22, 2005 02:27 am BOILING? jesus....
Sep 22, 2005 02:27 am boil the bassist instead for not having strings!
Sep 22, 2005 07:10 am I hate the boiling thing, it works in a pinch, but they generally just cruddy right back up. Bass strings are more expensive than guitar strings, but not THAT much more. Tell the cheap bastage to get a new set.
With bass it's pretty important to have a rag with ya in the studio and on stage. I used to allows carry a link free rag with me and whip the strings down every few songs, even more often late in the gig or session when I am sweating and nasty...taking care of them can help them last a bit longer.
You can get a little clarity by EQing adding some highs to try to increase the punch and definition. It won't always work, but it can help sometimes. With old strings a player can get sloppy too, cuz there isn't the string noise any more from fingers rubbing on the strings, so when they change strings there is string noise all over.
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Sep 22, 2005 10:53 am Of course, one must remember to remove them from the bass before boiling!
It's a quick fix, yes. However, it would appear that this particular chap is unable to get a new set of strings (spent all his cash on his BassPOD.....), so it's a trick to get them through the recording.
I believe I once heard a story anout Eddie Van Halen using this trick on his strings, to get the brightness down a bit. Possibly just a legend.
There's really no substitute for new strings. As I mentioned above, the bass is the tool he uses for his craft, he really should keep it in the best playing condition possible - which includes new strings....$15.00 (or less) sets are everywhere.
jmailjimmie neutronMember
Since: Feb 14, 2005
Sep 22, 2005 06:13 pm Beware of musicians "playing" poor... It might just be a sob story to get the guys in the band to chip in together & buy him a set of strings, then he's gone!!! "Man, if I only had a road case for "The Beast", I'd be able to make it to practice Thursday..."
cruxTypo SzarMember
Since: Jul 04, 2002
Sep 23, 2005 10:51 am HAhahaha thanx for all the help guys, quite a funny read, i didnt think id get so many replies. Anyhow, i know in America or Canada and in the western world bass strings though a bit pricy are affordable. But here in Thailand, they can cost a whole paycheck of a full time worker, im not even joking. Our band is quite well to do, and we still struggle wiht alot of equipment losses. The BassPOD we borrowed from someone, VERY CAREFULLY, so were too scared to actually borrow his P Bass. Anyhow, i think ill just go witht eh WD-40, i doubt ill do the boiling...
Plus our bass player supports himself with his job coz his parents... well thats a different story (kind of sobby). Our band just scrapped enough money together to get our soundcard, so i doubt anyone is in the mood to chip in any cash at the moment.
This all was jsut too fill you all in, if anyone was wondering at all.
RigsbyUltra MagnusMember
Since: Nov 13, 2004
Sep 23, 2005 12:28 pm Just a thought, but why not import things like that? Or is it that exchange rate that sucks?
Sep 23, 2005 12:51 pm Depends where they are being imported from, I dunno about every country, but when I ship stuff overseas it can cost a friggin fortune just for the postage...for low priced wares, sometimes it's just not practical...
Oh, and I wouldn't recommend the WD40 thing...yuck, I wouldn't want that **** on my strings...I'd boil...
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Sep 23, 2005 01:04 pm Yeah, don't wd40 'em... petroleum byproducts and wooden fretboards don't mix . Boil 'em, and try a 'lil furniture polish, for a cheap lube/cleaner .
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Sep 23, 2005 08:13 pm Yep gotta admit the WD40 is not a good idea at all. It will actually gum up the strings quicker. If ya cant take em off then get the hottest watter you can stand to put your hands in with a very mild soap. Put a piece of plastic bag between the nack and strings so the neck doesnt get wet and wash them suckers off. Then drythem quickly.
Sep 28, 2005 02:08 pm I actually love worn out, old-as-hell strings. I like to hear just the note, not all the overtones or sharpness. I'm more in the Mike Inez era of Ozzy's No More Tears bass tone. I love how deep and guttural his tone sounds. There's no squeaky sliding or fret board twanging or sharpness there. I bought my bass at least 7 years ago, and never changed the strings on it. Deep, booming, no twang.
Of course, my style is different, so it's a matter of opinion. I prefer to let the guitars have all the twang and cut and attack and loudness, and I just provide the rumble and tone.
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Sep 28, 2005 07:41 pm Problem with that, Bryan316, is that if you break a string (oh, it can happen), you're not likely to have a replacement 7-year-old muddy string hanging around as a spare. Then you have three (or more, granted) dull strings, and one that's twangy and bright! Also, EQ can do wonders for that "THUD" sound. New strings, and good EQ, and you have flexibility! Everything from Chris Squire "clang!" to Jamerson "ffffummm!"
Of course, James Jamerson never changed his strings, which became the bane of many an engineer (that, and his drinking...).
In addition, with regard to squeaky sliding, that can just be sloppy playing (I agree with dB-Wan).
Listen to Tool's "Sober" and tell me that those strings are old....
Sep 29, 2005 01:03 pm Tool's "Sober" sounds like the guitarist is playing a bass for his parts as well! LOL Those guys have such extreme sounds. Confusing at times, even!
But I really should get some new strings, take these off and store them so I have backup old strings. Heh heh. I'll just have to play more to get them nice and dead before the next gig! I'll get plenty of practice! Two birds, one stone! [Guiness] Brilliant! [/Guiness]
