Compressor and String questions...

[brywool]

Hello-
I think this is my second post here- I have a 4001C64S C Series Bass (The story of how I acquired it is here on the forum somewhere actually). LOVE this instrument!

One thing I'm noticing is that my higher notes are getting a bit lost in the mix while the low strings just are HUGE (this is a good thing!). I recently came across a Boss CS3 compressor at my house, didn't even remember buying it!
I tried it with the bass and my GK MB115, it seems to even things out a bit. It may be affecting the tone somewhat (which I don't want) but that also may be the need for new strings.

2 Questions:

1) Can anyone tell me what types of strings and gage ship with the 4001C64S C Series? I loved the sound when I first got it, still love it, but I liked the tone of the new strings (just as I would a guitar with new strings).

2) Has anybody used this compressor (Boss C3) for their bass? I know there are some mods out there that can be done to them, and I may go down that road, but I may not really need to. Was just curious what the Ric Aficionados thought.

Thanks!

[coolingitdown]

Question 1: stock RIC strings gauged .045, .055, .075, .105.

Question 2: I have not tried the Boss unit, but my C64 sounds awfully good through an Apex Punch Factory compressor.

[brywool]

Thanks Jonathan!

Those strings seem hard to find- (musiciansfriend/AmericanMusicalSupply)

[coolingitdown]

The boutique on the Rickenbacker website carries them. That's probably the best source for them.

http://www.rickenbacker.com/cart.asp?vi ... ry=Strings

They're seem like a pretty good set of strings, but I'm a flatwound aficionado, so I've never really given them a fair shake.

[FretlessOnly]

My experience with rounds is that there can be a significant difference between E/A output and D/G output; and that issue is less pronounced with flats. You can always slant your pick heights a bit to help balance this out.

[johnallg]

Another vote for the Punch Factory compressor. Optical, true bypass, neutral to your tone. Did I say it was reasonably priced?

[jps]

As a former user of the APF, I concur.

I now use a version of the UA LA-2A compressor (LA-610Mk II). a bit more pricey.

[RicOshea]

I'm considering buying a compression pedal but there are so many out there I can't try them all, what is it about the Aphex PF that you guys like so much?

[coolingitdown]

It's a little less "harsh" to my ears. A lot of compressors really seem to squash your signal. When you start to dig in, it sounds weak. The Punch Factory is a bit more gentle. You don't realize it's compressing your signal until you take it out of the chain. It seems to give a bit of breathing room for dynamics and lets your plucking hand have a bit more say in the volume level.

[johnallg]

What I said and what Jonathon said. You don't hear it there until you take it out. I use it to smooth out my hack playing style. You don't hear it pumping, you don't change your tone, but it smooths out the levels so all 4 strings respond the same.

[RicOshea]

Anyone here tried either the Carl Martin Classi Opto, or the Seymour Duncan Double Back compressors ? They are around the same price range as the Aphex PF.