Piezos and taperwound strings?

[bassmonkeee]

I'm getting the itch to put some roundwounds on my fretless Bongo, and I was wondering if any of you folk have any experience with the combo.

Or, should I finally put some TI Powerbass strings on there and forget all of this fool taperwound jibber jabber?

Hey, look--my first poll!

 

[Freddy-G.]

I'm really impressed with the Super Slinkys on the SR5 HS. But having said that, like you, periodically I'll get an itch to try something else. I actually want to try some flats on my Bongo for the first time.

The fellow I bought my fretless Sterling from had Elixer Nanos on it. He felt that the wrapping on those strings would help protect the fretboard. I switched to Chromes, just to be safe.

 

[BigBallz]

I'm getting the itch to put some roundwounds on my fretless Bongo, and I was wondering if any of you folk have any experience with the combo.

Or, should I finally put some TI Powerbass strings on there and forget all of this fool taperwound jibber jabber?

Hey, look--my first poll!

Use the force bassmonkey, use the force......SLINKIES!!!!

 

[bassmonkeee]

Use the force bassmonkey, use the force......SLINKIES!!!!

I have used them. They just don't do it for me. Not on fretless, anyway.

I just wanted to cover my bases, er...basses....um. You know what I mean.

I really just started this thread to see if the taperwounds have any adverse effect on the way the piezos sound. I tried tapewounds on one of my piezo Bongos in the past only to find that the EB piezos don't work correctly with tapewound strings rendering the piezos useless. I can't think of any substantive reason why the tapers wouldn't work--just looking for practical experience.

 

[Golem]

I found it hard to choose something to vote for so I voted for tapers since I do have a set on an ax with a Fishman bridge, so I know they work well on a metal saddled bridge with indivdual piezos. OTOH, I have the same model of bass also strung with Roto black nylon tape wounds, and have not had any problem such as you had.

It was hard to select a line to vote for, but not because the choices are unappealing or hit me as bad ideas. It just seemed that there is no connection or contrast between the choices. It's like, to me, none of the choices rule out the other choices, so how would I choose? Oh, I get it. You were stuck with that dilemma and just dumped it on the group

 

[smallequestrian]

Will you be stringing E-C or B-G. The one thing I noticed with the piezos and a high C I had to raise the action higher than I like to get the piezo to respond. Its fine for a fretted bass, but there is no way I would want my fretless action to be that high.

Also, have you tried the Jazz Rounds on your fretless, I really dig them on mine.

 

[bassmonkeee]

I found it hard to choose something to vote for so I voted for tapers since I do have a set on an ax with a Fishman bridge, so I know they work well on a metal saddled bridge with indivdual piezos. OTOH, I have the same model of bass also strung with Roto black nylon tape wounds, and have not had any problem such as you had.

It was hard to select a line to vote for, but not because the choices are unappealing or hit me as bad ideas. It just seemed that there is no connection or contrast between the choices. It's like, to me, none of the choices rule out the other choices, so how would I choose? Oh, I get it. You were stuck with that dilemma and just dumped it on the group

Sure there's a connection!

Option 1--taperwound
Option 2--the rounds that I know I enjoy
Option 3--flatwound
Option 4--Slinkys

And, the only way the options don't rule out the others is if I pick one string from each group and leave one tuner empty.


In all honesty, I've already placed my order, and it included both the taperwound rounds, the TI Powerbass, some piccolo strings, and another set just to try out. So, the poll is already moot.

 

[bassmonkeee]

Will you be stringing E-C or B-G. The one thing I noticed with the piezos and a high C I had to raise the action higher than I like to get the piezo to respond. Its fine for a fretted bass, but there is no way I would want my fretless action to be that high.

Also, have you tried the Jazz Rounds on your fretless, I really dig them on mine.

I had the Jazz Rounds on there before the current Sadowsky flats, but I ended up selling those to Freddie-G cheap so he could try them out. I didn't like them much on the fretless.

I was planning on tuning it B-G, but I actually ordered a set of taperwound 6 since it was a $3 difference for the high C. And, if I go B-G on the fretless, I can always use the high C on another bass that I'm planning on tuning A-C for use with my VBass. FWIW, I did have my fretted Bongo tuned EADGC with TI Flats and didn't notice any need to raise the high C.


Heh--no votes for flats yet. Jack and Mark must both be asleep.

 

[Freddy-G.]

I had the Jazz Rounds on there before the current Sadowsky flats, but I ended up selling those to Freddie-G cheap so he could try them out.

Oh yeah, I need to try those Jazz Rounds on my fretless. They were on my Bongo for a while before switching to Blue Steels.

 

[Mr Light]

If it isn't broke, don't fix it...

I tend to not want to mess around with setup and intonation, so I stay with the same sort of strings that my bass comes with, roundwounds...

 

[bassmonkeee]

If it isn't broke, don't fix it...

I tend to not want to mess around with setup and intonation, so I stay with the same sort of strings that my bass comes with, roundwounds...

Well, I have no problem messing around with setup and intonation, and since flatwounds don't sound like roundwounds, that doesn't really work as an option, does it? I mean, a setup is part of the string changing process for me.

Besides, unless you are only using the same gauge of Slinkies that came with the bass, you're going to need a setup/adjust, anyway.

 

[Dargin]

taperwound strings won't work well on our basses...... weird aftertones and they don't vibrate properly

 

[bassmonkeee]

taperwound strings won't work well on our basses...... weird aftertones and they don't vibrate properly

Ah Ha! Straight from the horse's* mouth.



























*Scott is not actually a horse.

 

[Golem]

........ if I pick one string from each group and leave one tuner empty. .........

I knew you had the answer before you polled the group

 

[Psychicpet]

I'm getting the itch to put some roundwounds on my fretless Bongo, and I was wondering if any of you folk have any experience with the combo.

Or, should I finally put some TI Powerbass strings on there and forget all of this fool taperwound jibber jabber?

Hey, look--my first poll!

The hell are you doing without rounds on there already!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! why has there been anything but rounds on that!!??!!??!!??!!??!!??!! Defiler!!!!!

 

[Mr Light]

Well, I have no problem messing around with setup and intonation, and since flatwounds don't sound like roundwounds, that doesn't really work as an option, does it? I mean, a setup is part of the string changing process for me.

Besides, unless you are only using the same gauge of Slinkies that came with the bass, you're going to need a setup/adjust, anyway.

...Another perk about using D'Addarios... Same exact gauge configurations available as the slinkies...

 

[Dr Stankface]

I think you should give Hartke rounds a shot. They're cheap and they sound killer.

Andrew

 

[5Stringer]

Hello,

A word of advice -- dance with who brung ya! In other words, stick with Ernie Bass Slinkys for the overall best sound and value!

Dan McPherson
Ernie Ball Customer Service

 

[Dargin]

Will you guy please not promote other people's products on our forum. If you want to discuss competitors products go to their forums. It is getting out of hand. please think before you type.

 

[Beth]

Here here...

You people are all musicians...

What if you had a forum on your own self-titled website and there were entire threads about how your arch rival was better at playing the bass/guitar/washboard than you???

-Beth