NBBD - New Beater Bass Day

jtcnj said:
Scored my first bass local CL.
Listed as Yamaha RBX 260.

Pretty beat up, but intact.

34" scale - what is the standard / common string set?

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Sweet! Looks like a good starter! P bass pickup on a 24 fret, full scale, body…passive too…this should keep you happy for a while.
As to “common” string set…it’s going to be subjective, but for me…I stay away from the lighter gauges when allowed by the nut and neck. Generally .045-.105 for round wound strings is fairly standard. Same ball park for flat wounds. I really love the LaBella white tapewound sets at .060-.115…the “760-T” set.
 
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jtcnj said:
Don and SGJohn , I know you are a La Bella and Rotosound fans.

Would these be good choices, and nickel or stainless?

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I haven’t had a chance to use the LaBella round wound strings yet…I’ve used balanced flats, and tapewound(black and white…I really like the white). My go-to for round wound is:


Though I might opt for the heavier .110 set for my Washburn in particular…the nut is cut for heavier sets.
 
Well done....... Ive always said a clean pristine bass...............................is the sign of a SICK MIND ...

basses are battle scared.... war worn and damaged, period... the more damage the better they sound ;)

cONGRATS AND WELCOME TO THE LOW DOWN dirty side of music ;) -- where all the FUN IS lol

slap some strings on that beaotch and bring DA BOOM BABY !!!
 
Thatbastarddon said:
I haven’t had a chance to use the LaBella round wound strings yet…I’ve used balanced flats, and tapewound(black and white…I really like the white). My go-to for round wound is:


Though I might opt for the heavier .110 set for my Washburn in particular…the nut is cut for heavier sets.
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I use the nickel on steel version of these. The LeBellas look nice though. Maybe, I'll try something different when I finish the T-Bird.
 
Boomers
DR's
Earnie Balls
Labella
Rotosound
Fender
peavey
dean markley MISFITS SKULLCRUSHERS
S.I.T. rounds

Ive got flats... tape wounds... coated... uncoated... hex core ... "halfwounds" ............

dont over think it -- get a set of new .... fender round wounds ... long scale

15.00 -- check amazon might get em faster--- string em up and get rockin -- research and learn about all that other styles on the way .... its a marathon not a sprint!
 
Ordered the Rotosound set mentioned above, thanks!
I would have tried the Fender set if I saw Adrian's recommendation earlier; cheapskate that I am.

On closer inspection; the headstock has a crack / split repair running through the 2 bass side tuners.
Not professionally done but seems solid.
the 2 strings on it appear to be wound backwards.
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The pots are shot. Tried some Fader lube on them, no dice.
I have spares.

Not dismayed; it is a beater and priced accordingly.

Tuners turn smoothly, but it looks like a drunk installed them.
The frets look ok, neck is straight / not twisted, didnt check truss rod yet.
Plugged it in, jack feels solid - makes boomy sounds!

Noticed the pickups are marked - "Dimarzio"!

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How do you size the length of string for winds around the post; how far past the tuner?
I read 4-5".
 
jtcnj said:
How do you size the length of string for winds around the post; how far past the tuner?
I read 4-5".
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With thin ended, silk wound(or not), I usually go about 3 to 4 inches. I shoot for 2 to 3 wraps around the machine head. It looks like those have the center hole to insert the string end into…so trim, insert end, wrap, and tune to pitch.
 
I use the highly technical 3 fingers method.......... its how I order scotch as well........ but -- 3 fingers past the tuner.....snip and wind/tune

use this same measuring for construction projects ---- 3 fingers -- a hand.... a foot...... a foot and 2 fingers........ "F" your metric system ...just dont ask to see how I measure 10 inches ;)
 
eSGEe said:
I use the highly technical 3 fingers method.......... its how I order scotch as well........ but -- 3 fingers past the tuner.....snip and wind/tune

use this same measuring for construction projects ---- 3 fingers -- a hand.... a foot...... a foot and 2 fingers........ "F" your metric system ...just dont ask to see how I measure 10 inches ;)
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I use a tape to measure 10 inches.

It is funny, I bought new bass strings. I really and truly don't remember how I measured to install them.

PS. Knowing me, I took the factory strings off and laid the new ones up against each of the old 4 and cut them to the same length and installed and was done. I had installed a new bridge and thus needed new strings.
 
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Got it cleaned up a bit, oil fretboard, sticker removed, add shielding paint (cant read continuity with meter though), add ground wire from pickup cavity, clean up non conducting bridge ground, knocked down some sharp fret bevel edges. replaced pots, new strings.
Some of the finger gunk on the fretboard is encrusted, will have to work on that some more.
Some of the paint pulled off on the cavity cover when I took it off again.

Have to work on the setup yet.

The screws on the string retainer ahead of the nut were sloppy to begin with and pulled out when I tuned up to pitch.
Will likely move it and just cover ADG or just AD, the break angle on the E is fine.

The output seems low, there is only some squishy foam under the pickups, not sure what is typical height.

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