Ken's Corner (Bass Forums Sponsored By KSB)

Go Back   Ken's Corner (Bass Forums Sponsored By KSB) > Electric Basses > Smith Strings

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-09-2010, 06:55 PM
Kirk P Brosius Kirk P Brosius is offline
Posting Member
 
Join Date: 07-13-2008
Location: Western Colorado
Posts: 32
Kirk P Brosius is on a distinguished road
Default Am I an IDIOT?

Hello all,

The answer to the posted "Q" must be; YEP!

I have been using Ken Smith Compressors on my BSR5MW, for a couple of years, with very good results. I replace them about once a year and to prolong their life I've taken them off and cleaned them with de-natured alcohol on more than a few occasions with good results, again. This is until last week when my masterplan went wrong!

I was invited to play at the Grand Junction Art & Jazz Festival, with the Jason Runnells Trio, opening for the great Hazel Miller who is a true R&B icon fom the Denver, CO area. Jason plays some very tastey jazz'ish originals and covers. On Tuesday before the gig off the strings for a quick cleaning and during the re-install phase I porceeded to break the "A" and "D" strings!!???!!! I am usually very careful when doing this and was shocked when it happened. I "NEVER" break strings!! I will have to admit that I was a bit rushed and most likely crossed the windings.

The solution? PLAN AHEAD.

I put on a spare set of RockMasters (40-120) and just put up with the "zingy-ness" for the 1 1/2 hour set.

I have a new set of Compressors coming from PA, thanks Noel.

Lesson learned: PLAN AHEAD
WORK SLOWLY
BE PREPARED

Thanks for a moment of your time, Kirk
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-10-2010, 04:16 PM
Anton Hasias Anton Hasias is offline
Posting Member
 
Join Date: 01-24-2010
Location: Luxembourg
Posts: 36
Anton Hasias is on a distinguished road
Default

Hi Kirk,

It is also a second lesson to be learned;

Take with you a back-up bass.
S--t happens and to quote Mel Brooks: "A double in case of trouble"

Best regards
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-11-2010, 09:49 AM
Kirk P Brosius Kirk P Brosius is offline
Posting Member
 
Join Date: 07-13-2008
Location: Western Colorado
Posts: 32
Kirk P Brosius is on a distinguished road
Default

Hey Anton,

NO KIDDING!

Very good advice!!!!!

Kirk
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-02-2011, 05:11 PM
Bin Hire's Avatar
Bin Hire Bin Hire is offline
Senior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 09-22-2010
Location: Lower Hutt
Posts: 0
Bin Hire is on a distinguished road
Default

Following on from Anton's logic, shouldn't one tow a spare car around everywhere?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-04-2011, 11:23 PM
Scott Pope Scott Pope is offline
Posting Member
 
Join Date: 01-23-2011
Location: Missouri
Posts: 79
Scott Pope is on a distinguished road
Default

Yes, the "new string zing" can be annoying. For that reason, I always keep the last set I pulled off, so that if one does break, especially if it's after a gig or two, it's easier to match tone with an older string than a brand new string. Then if that one breaks, well, I don't recall ever having broken two of the same string at a gig, but there's always a first, so spares, spares, spares.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-29-2011, 03:43 PM
Jason Mendelson's Avatar
Jason Mendelson Jason Mendelson is offline
Posting Member
 
Join Date: 01-27-2007
Location: Southern CA
Posts: 118
Jason Mendelson is on a distinguished road
Send a message via AIM to Jason Mendelson Send a message via MSN to Jason Mendelson
Default

Really once a year?

When I was gigging full time I would change strings the longest once a month on 3 different basses.

Every time you remove and reinstall strings they are going to get weaker... I'm not a fan of this.

Hopefully doesn't happen to you again though...
__________________
Thump_
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-26-2013, 02:09 AM
johnadamcotter johnadamcotter is offline
Junior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 09-18-2013
Location: newark de
Posts: 6
johnadamcotter is on a distinguished road
Default

back up bass is a good idea. people were getting upset we were going on late, since I was the frontman, I drug a table up on the stage, set the bass down, got out a soldering iron and multimeter and went to work. Everyone was into waching my frantic work, and didn't mind the 45 minute late start. God i miss California. <Maybe they thought it was preformance art. I'd have gladly played the show with a washtub if I had one, ended up tearing out all my electronics and wiring the pickups straight to a DI box.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-26-2013, 02:11 AM
johnadamcotter johnadamcotter is offline
Junior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 09-18-2013
Location: newark de
Posts: 6
johnadamcotter is on a distinguished road
Default

PS, I change strings before every gig or at least weekly. $$$$$ but i have spares. helps my brother owns a music store too. or you slappers, if you haven't figured it out yet, fresher =brighter cleaner
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:19 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 2007 - Ken Smith Basses, LTD. (All Rights Reserved)