7 posts
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Post by shortybass on Nov 9, 2017 13:12:23 GMT
Hello there!
So I bought this bass a week ago and i like it very much! Its my first HB ever. I am a guitar player, so i don't know much about basses. I bought it just for recording some demos. I read about these basses (in the other topic here) too, that there is alot that can be improved.. sound and playing wise
So, what are like the first things to set on these basses? Is action too high? Pickups too far away? After set up i am thinking of buying new pickups and strings too, if that improves sound alot ?
THANKS
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2017 14:30:05 GMT
From what I hear this bass sounds already good as is. I would first play it as it is for a while (a few months) and then see if it needs mods. JAC and blablas and other bass players here will know how to set up your new beast
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7 posts
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Post by shortybass on Nov 9, 2017 17:39:37 GMT
I wouldn't be setting it up and then taking those items off. Both of these factors will change your setup. You are right, but i can buy new strings now, and then set it up. Pickups maybe after a while. From what I hear this bass sounds already good as is. I would first play it as it is for a while (a few months) and then see if it needs mods. JAC and blablas and other bass players here will know how to set up your new beas For the price i was impressed how good it sounds. I compared it with some more expensive Ibanez bass and i can say that i like tone more on this one, just a little more thin on the low notes. But probably thats all up to pickup setup. So I am waiting for shorty experts opinion! )
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1,481 posts
Disclosures: Everything I don't like I can modify.
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Post by blablas on Nov 9, 2017 18:37:25 GMT
Change the strings!!!! The stock ones are utter crap, this is the biggest improvement you can make!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2017 20:23:31 GMT
What style do you play? I'm sure not all strings are suitable for all styles!
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7 posts
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Post by shortybass on Nov 9, 2017 22:08:10 GMT
Change the strings!!!! The stock ones are utter crap, this is the biggest improvement you can make! What style do you play? I'm sure not all strings are suitable for all styles! I am gonna change the strings first. Hmmm mostly rock, blues, indie,.. i don't like too bright tone on bass, something in between, rounded.. what gauge are original strings?
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1,481 posts
Disclosures: Everything I don't like I can modify.
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Post by blablas on Nov 9, 2017 22:30:52 GMT
If you don't like a bright tone you might want to go for flatwounds. Me personally like the more bright roundwounds sound so cant really advise you on what strings to get.
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7 posts
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Post by shortybass on Nov 9, 2017 23:18:35 GMT
If you don't like a bright tone you might want to go for flatwounds. Me personally like the more bright roundwounds sound so cant really advise you on what strings to get. Hmm flatwounds are usually too expensive for me, so i am just thinking for roundwounds too + i can always turn tone knob a bit down or eq.Which ones do you prefer, but not to expensive.. for this bass?
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7 posts
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Post by shortybass on Nov 9, 2017 23:59:51 GMT
Between pickup and bass string is 0,5cm Between pickup and treble string is 0,4cm Action on 12fret bass string is 0,3cm Action on 12fret treble string is 0,2cm Is that ok? Too high, too low? Here are some pics: imgur.com/JI0CdQAimgur.com/ByI8f0N
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1 posts
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Post by bpc on Nov 10, 2017 10:01:42 GMT
You might want to look at Olympia bass flatwound strings. They can be had from ebay or Amazon for around fifteen UK pounds a set. I've bought a lot of them and they are OK. Not quite Daddario Chromes but a third the price for 90 percent of the quality. They last for years which makes the price very cheap in the long term. Could be tricky on a shortscale as they will be a bit thick at the posts. Wind them carefully and you should be OK.
You could also consider tapewounds but I've never found a budget brand of those so only put them on my acoustic.
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1,481 posts
Disclosures: Everything I don't like I can modify.
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Post by blablas on Nov 10, 2017 10:38:33 GMT
Between pickup and bass string is 0,5cm Between pickup and treble string is 0,4cm Action on 12fret bass string is 0,3cm Action on 12fret treble string is 0,2cm Is that ok? Too high, too low? Here are some pics: imgur.com/JI0CdQAimgur.com/ByI8f0NDistance between the pickup is okay, action is also okay but could probably be a little bit better (half a millimeter) with some further tweaking of the truss rod and bridge saddles. If this is the stock setup it is not bad at all!
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7 posts
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Post by shortybass on Nov 10, 2017 12:50:00 GMT
You might want to look at Olympia bass flatwound strings. They can be had from ebay or Amazon for around fifteen UK pounds a set. I've bought a lot of them and they are OK. Not quite Daddario Chromes but a third the price for 90 percent of the quality. They last for years which makes the price very cheap in the long term. Could be tricky on a shortscale as they will be a bit thick at the posts. Wind them carefully and you should be OK. You could also consider tapewounds but I've never found a budget brand of those so only put them on my acoustic. Thanks, I will check them out! Between pickup and bass string is 0,5cm Between pickup and treble string is 0,4cm Action on 12fret bass string is 0,3cm Action on 12fret treble string is 0,2cm Is that ok? Too high, too low? Here are some pics: imgur.com/JI0CdQAimgur.com/ByI8f0NDistance between the pickup is okay, action is also okay but could probably be a little bit better (half a millimeter) with some further tweaking of the truss rod and bridge saddles. If this is the stock setup it is not bad at all! Yes it is stock setup ..
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Post by JAC on Nov 10, 2017 16:57:25 GMT
For the flatwound sound, you can also stick a piece of foam under the strings at the bridge, especially while they are very new and bright. Regarding upgrades, other than a set up to your liking, I didn't find that my shorty needed much. I swapped out the pickup for a DiMarzio but I ended up putting the stock one back in and liked the tone just as much (strung with LaBella flats). My shorty is around 5 or 6 years old now so I am not sure that the new pickups are the same, but I don't think you need to worry about it until you decide you want to. Tuners work fine and as long as it is set up to your liking, then it is a pretty good bass. If you decide you do want to mod, check out the blablas builds and mods thread, you will get plenty of inspiration
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7 posts
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Post by shortybass on Nov 12, 2017 11:45:14 GMT
For the flatwound sound, you can also stick a piece of foam under the strings at the bridge, especially while they are very new and bright. Regarding upgrades, other than a set up to your liking, I didn't find that my shorty needed much. I swapped out the pickup for a DiMarzio but I ended up putting the stock one back in and liked the tone just as much (strung with LaBella flats). My shorty is around 5 or 6 years old now so I am not sure that the new pickups are the same, but I don't think you need to worry about it until you decide you want to. Tuners work fine and as long as it is set up to your liking, then it is a pretty good bass. If you decide you do want to mod, check out the blablas builds and mods thread, you will get plenty of inspiration Great idea about foam under the strings, thanks!!
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