That 'Fresh String' Sound

Vintage, Modern, V & C series, Fretless, Signature & Special Editions

Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4

User avatar
DavyR
Member
Posts: 269
Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2009 6:42 pm

Re: That 'Fresh String' Sound

Post by DavyR »

While were talking strings. I put a set of TI-JF344s on my 1970 4000 3 years ago. I bought them because the neck on this bass seems a bit weak and TIs are suppose to have low tension. (BTW, I haven't played the bass much since but I swear the strings haven't lost tone, or haven't gotten muddy, since. LOL!) The bummer with the TIs strings, IMHO, is that the 'A' string is only a 70 and the tension if a bit TOO low as compared to the 'D' and 'G' strings. Even says so on the package! WHY TI would do this is a weird. I get a buzz on the 'A' string on the lower frets. A good adjustment might help (old truss rod system!). This is one of the reasons I retired the bass other than because of its age/value. Any TI players notice the 'A' string thing?
User avatar
Rickenhands
Junior Member
Posts: 132
Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2010 3:15 am

Re: That 'Fresh String' Sound

Post by Rickenhands »

rickenbrother wrote:
johnallg wrote:A word of caution: lower percentage isopropyl alcohol (70-80% range) usually has mineral oil in it. You have to hit the 90+% to not get that. Medical supply or such. Read the labels.
You're right, John. I should have mentioned that when I use isopropyl alcohol, it's at least 90%.
Yes, thanks very much for the clarification.

Cheers!
Man, I love my Ric!
leonnaze
New member
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:28 am

Re: That 'Fresh String' Sound

Post by leonnaze »

Hi Gang
heres a trick i learned a long time ago...keep the bass clean aways..i put 3 paper towels between the strings and the neck..spray with windex let soak a minute or two..use a tooth brush to clean out any gunk that didnt disolve and than wipe it down...i have had the same set of strings on for 4 years and they still have that boing..the strings are ernie ball med gauge wire wounds..hope this helps...
teeder
Senior Member
Posts: 6396
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2004 5:00 am

Re: That 'Fresh String' Sound

Post by teeder »

I soak my strings in a mixture of Labatt's Blue, Jack Daniels and a pinch of second hand bar smoke.

Keith Richards approved!

Rock on! :twisted: :)
rickaddict
Senior Member
Posts: 6163
Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2004 7:46 am

Re: That 'Fresh String' Sound

Post by rickaddict »

Mmmmmmm....LaBatt Blue!

8)
teeder
Senior Member
Posts: 6396
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2004 5:00 am

Re: That 'Fresh String' Sound

Post by teeder »

rickaddict wrote:Mmmmmmm....LaBatt Blue!

8)
I've had a hard time concentrating on my work after typing that! I may call it an early day! :twisted: :mrgreen:
User avatar
rickenbrother
RRF Moderator
Posts: 13194
Joined: Sun May 26, 2002 5:00 am

Re: That 'Fresh String' Sound

Post by rickenbrother »

teeder wrote:
rickaddict wrote:Mmmmmmm....LaBatt Blue!

8)
I've had a hard time concentrating on my work after typing that! I may call it an early day! :twisted: :mrgreen:
It's Friday, go ahead! :mrgreen:
JETGLO should officially be renamed JETGLO ROCKS! :-)
User avatar
paul_yan
RRF Consultant
Posts: 2119
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2002 2:09 pm
Contact:

Re: That 'Fresh String' Sound

Post by paul_yan »

Yeah! Have a nice weekend, everyone!
User avatar
rickenbrother
RRF Moderator
Posts: 13194
Joined: Sun May 26, 2002 5:00 am

Re: That 'Fresh String' Sound

Post by rickenbrother »

paul_yan wrote:Yeah! Have a nice weekend, everyone!
+1! You too, Paul! :)
JETGLO should officially be renamed JETGLO ROCKS! :-)
User avatar
paul_yan
RRF Consultant
Posts: 2119
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2002 2:09 pm
Contact:

Re: That 'Fresh String' Sound

Post by paul_yan »

Thanks, Joey! I'm sure I will, 'cause I've just got a Fulltone Bass Drive pedal from a very dear friend as a gift. Will hook it up to my Marshall JCM 800 Super Bass rig and blast myself silly in the daytime tomorrow! :mrgreen:

May you have a fantastic weekend! :D
jamespaul71
Junior Member
Posts: 142
Joined: Sun Jun 28, 2009 2:51 pm

Re: That 'Fresh String' Sound

Post by jamespaul71 »

How do you get rid of it? I have a a new set of TIs and I can't stand their sound new, all zingy and just wrong... I want to relic my strings :lol:
User avatar
jps
RRF Consultant
Posts: 37496
Joined: Wed Feb 12, 2003 6:00 am

Re: That 'Fresh String' Sound

Post by jps »

jamespaul71 wrote:How do you get rid of it? I have a a new set of TIs and I can't stand their sound new, all zingy and just wrong... I want to relic my strings :lol:
Start a new thread! :wink: :lol:
jamespaul71
Junior Member
Posts: 142
Joined: Sun Jun 28, 2009 2:51 pm

Re: That 'Fresh String' Sound

Post by jamespaul71 »

jps wrote:
jamespaul71 wrote:How do you get rid of it? I have a a new set of TIs and I can't stand their sound new, all zingy and just wrong... I want to relic my strings :lol:
Start a new thread! :wink: :lol:
haha. The 'Fresh String' sound can be great for a certain sound, I'll give it that for sure.
User avatar
weemac
Veteran RRF member
Posts: 2735
Joined: Tue Mar 26, 2002 1:28 am

Re: That 'Fresh String' Sound

Post by weemac »

I used GHS fast fret for years (no silicones but Im not sure about the mineral oil bit) and now use the old fast fret brush things with "Uncle John's Famous String Goo" (no silicones but Im not sure about the mineral oil bit)
I used to boil my Rotosounds but often they would break whrn trying to refit them and I thought they would only sound good for about 15 minutes and then sound all out of tune (intonation would alter)
I always liked the Rotosounds fresh out of the pack but with Daddarios I think they sound better after a day or too
Clean hands are a must.

I kney this guy who made a frame to tension strings to pitch (to open the windings) and then bath them in trichloroethane 1,1,1 and this would really clean the strings no doubt. I wonder if he is still alive? :?

eden.
User avatar
johnallg
Rick-a-holic
Posts: 17688
Joined: Wed Apr 05, 2006 12:13 pm

Re: That 'Fresh String' Sound

Post by johnallg »

weemac wrote:I kney this guy who made a frame to tension strings to pitch (to open the windings) and then bath them in trichloroethane 1,1,1 and this would really clean the strings no doubt. I wonder if he is still alive? :?

eden.
My guess is he died an early death from cancer. :shock:
Post Reply

Return to “Rickenbacker Basses: by Joey Vasco & Tony Cabibe”