New to me, '06 SR4 HH (pics)

[Aussie Mark]

After selling my '66 Precision and buying an engagement ring and a refrigerator I fortunately still had some funds left over to treat myself to one of those newfangled dual pickup basses that BP has been churning out for a coupla years or so. $999 at Bass NW, me likey!

 

[five7]

Just wait!

 

[the unrepentant]

nice one, I'd MUCH rather have that than a '66 precision You made the right choice!

 

[bdgotoh]

Congrats on selling the '66 P Mark. The HH models are my faves, let us know what you think.

 

[ausf]

Congrats and enjoy that beautiful instrument.

 

[TSanders]

Huh. Who would have guessed a tort guard.

I see its already got flats on it.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Huh. Who would have guessed a tort guard.

I see its already got flats on it.

Yes, my routine with a newly acquired bass is very predictable -

1. Tune to pitch
2. Plug in and make sure electronics work properly
3. Remove strings
4. Install flatwound strings
5. Adjust setup if necessary
6. Install straplocks
7. Play



I've put EB Group III flats on this one, my first test of EB flats. So far they seem pretty similar to Chromes, which I think means they will go nicely on the HH.

 

[TSanders]

Mark, that seems like a foolproof method you have.

Ive tried a bunch of flats and only really liked TIs and Chromes, until I got a set if EB flats. They have been on my Sterling for long enough that I dont remember putting them on. The do have a similar vibe to Chromes, but since they work so well with that particular bass, thats what will stay on it. That natural Sterling with Eb flats has such a good sound. I get so many bass players turned on to flats with it.

 

[Psycho Ward]

Mark you done good brother! Enjoy that bass!

 

[DanTheMan]

Beautiful bass man!
Forgive my ignorance but I've never played with flats. What's the benefit/advantage of them?

 

[koogie2k]

Killer bass. Congrats bro!

 

[oli@bass]

Beautiful bass. Wonder how you like the different settings. I could imagine that you dig the neck H alone.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Beautiful bass. Wonder how you like the different settings. I could imagine that you dig the neck H alone.

So far I'm finding the next one along is nice - what's that, 1 coil from the neck pup and 1 coil from the bridge pup? The middle position is also sweet, seems to me that's always the "money" position for a HH bass.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Beautiful bass man!
Forgive my ignorance but I've never played with flats. What's the benefit/advantage of them?

Pros -

More thump
Warmer tone
No clackety clack
No string noise
Sound great with just about any style of music
Easy on the fingers
Last forever (literally) - so cost less in the long run

Cons -

Most brands of flats have higher tension than equivalent gauge roundwounds
Probably not the ideal tone for metal or punk

 

[CFA]

What causes the lack of "Clackety clack" with flats? The higher tension? (Forgive my ignorance)

EDIT: Forgot to say, Nice bass Congrats on that, and the engagement.

 

[Aussie Mark]

What causes the lack of "Clackety clack" with flats? The higher tension? (Forgive my ignorance)

In simple terms, flatwound strings have a smooth surface.

Here's a description of how the different types of strings are constructed .....

Guitar String Construction ? How They’re Made | 300Guitars.com

 

[CFA]

Hm... I knew that... and it sorta makes me think what I'm thinking of as "Clackety clack" is different then what you meant it as, either that or I'm just an idiot.

What I was thinking of was the sound that I used to get on 2 pickup basses when I played near the neck and plucked the string to hard. If this is what you mean as well, I'm sorry for being slow, and I'll understand if you don't want to spoon feed me. And on the other hand if we're thinking of two different things I apologize for the misunderstanding.

 

[Colin]

Huh. Who would have guessed a tort guard.

I see its already got flats on it.

there are undiscovered tribes in south America that knew this bass was going to have a tort guard....

 

[Randracula]

Nice bass Mark! The SR4HH is one of my favorite basses. Wish I still had one.

 

[oli@bass]

So far I'm finding the next one along is nice - what's that, 1 coil from the neck pup and 1 coil from the bridge pup? The middle position is also sweet, seems to me that's always the "money" position for a HH bass.

If going from the neck to the bridge with the position switch, you get the following:

1 - neck H
2 - inner coils of neck H and bridge H
3 - both H
4 - outer coils of neck H and bridge H
5 - bridge H (classic StingRay)

I didn't think I'd like position 1, but I do a lot especially for reggae/dub style bass sounds. Position 2 is my favorite for Jazz style sounds. Position 3 (which does nothing for me on the HS) is growing on me more and more, it's great for a modern polished yet aggressive sound. Position 4 is not to my liking, too scooped, but it's probably different with flats. And Position 5 is my all time favorite classic StingRay sound.