Why are they refusing to sell you any more?

And nah, haven't heard of Circle K.

[quote=gaslight;18019531]Why are they refusing to sell you any more?

And nah, haven't heard of Circle K.[/quote]


It's a long story. What is comes down to is that I wasn't getting the sustain I wanted from my low F#, so I posted a question about it on Talkbass, and in my question I posed all of the potential options - strings, pickups, bass construction, bridge, etc.

The owner reads talkbass. He defended himself, and I politely responded that I wasn't making accusations and that I only brought up the strings in passing.

They saw it as bad publicity for their strings and because I never said anything nice about their company (even though I had placed an order for another set with slightly different gauges), I was refunded the money, and the supervisor sent me this long email about it. I can send it to you if you're interested, and you can read the thread too.

I really had faith in the company, and have discussed their phenomenal customer service numerous times. I just figured that my initial string choice (non-tapered, .174 gauge) just wasn't right for my bass. Now they've given me no choice but to use a different company.

That sounds enormously small of them to act that way.

[quote=gaslight;18019560]That sounds enormously small of them to act that way.[/quote]

I think so.

Oh well. I'm really digging those Circle K's anyway. The balanced-tension set that I bought was .112 - .084 - .061 - .043. It's weird to play on at first - feels like a very light set of strings with a very heavy E, but the tension is actually just consistent. On a normal set, the E is considerably under-tensioned from the rest of the strings, so we eventually teach our fingers to compensate.

I'll definitely be considering a set for each of my basses.

I'm never going to buy anything from Octave4Plus.

Does the consistent tension affect sound noticeably or just the feel, what's the price on a set like that compared to a "normal" set?

Also, you're a bit of a gear head, I'm thinking of getting an Aguilar ToneHammer instead of a Radial JDI for a gig bag stashable DI. Think it would do as near enough of a good job as a DI to the Radial, even without the benefit of the added tone shaping?

[quote=gaslight;18019629]I'm never going to buy anything from Octave4Plus.

Does the consistent tension affect sound noticeably or just the feel, what's the price on a set like that compared to a "normal" set?[/quote]

This was on a bass I've never used before with a new "normal" set, so I can't comment on the exact tonal differences. From a physics standpoint, I think there would be a more consistent, linear trend between the strings, as the tone goes from "warm/fat" on the lower strings and "thin, nasaly" on the upper strings.

A 4-string set is $25 + s/h. They are comparably priced. I can't comment on the life of the strings either, but if you wipe them down and clean them periodically, they should last a while.

Here's the website if you're curious.
http://circlekstrings.com/store/index.html

They sound interesting enough. If a distributor here picks them up, I wouldn't rule out having a geez at some.

PS, there's a DI question up there for you too if you want to weigh in.

What are you going to be using the DI for? If it's live, then any of those similar DIs will do the job fine. Sansamp, EBS microbass, Tonehammer etc. To be honest, they're probably fine for studio too. I think too much is made of having the most hi-fi DI possible, just as long as it doesn't suck.

FWIW I used to have a Tonehammer and then sold it on. It was okay, but I mainly went with it for the AGS, which turned out to be unusable.

What made it unusable?

I figure it'll be my just portable DI for stuff where my head won't be there. I use the DI out on my head for gigs if needed, and I'll use it at home too for a while. After it I want to save up for for a really nice tube DI which would be my studio baby, but is too big for gig bag stashing.

The other DI options I'm considering are the Radial JDI as mentioned (advantage of being passive), or maybe the Phil Jones Bass Buddy but that's powered.

I'm not that fussed about how good the AGS is because I have the overdrive channel on the AG500 head anyway which is probably just a better version of it.

Truth be told, a DI is a DI is a DI. All the technology does is bring your signal up to line level and possibly ground a bit to filter out some hum. The key is really in the tone-shaping and the size of the unit.

The Radial is nice because it's passive, so you'll never be in a situation where you're left high and dry due to dead batteries or obnoxious power cables, and still has the ground lift function to eliminate some hum. However, all of the tone will be coming from your bass. This may or may not be preferable.

The ToneHammer's preamp is based off of the OBP-3 with sweepable mids, and that's a preamp I highly recommend and avidly use. The arguments for and against are exactly opposite that of the Radial.

I guess what it comes down to is - what do you need it for, and will you need tone-shaping in that situation?

I guess that's just what I'll have to decide hey, I like the fact that the Radial can just be stashed in a pocket and be good to go in one second, but with the Aguilar I know I have a few more options at the expense of requiring a power supply taking up gig space or at least some batteries. I always carry like three spare 9Vs anyway though.

If I break down my needs for it as I see them at the moment it's

1) Boy scout approach to gig bag filling
2) Maybe useful for home recording
3) If I need it for a gig situation where I don't get to have an amp (would hate to be in that situation anyway though)

I'd recommend the Sansamp BDDI. I really like the RBI preamp, and this incorporates that same preamp into a small, portable DI box. It's got a nice overdrive/distortion if you're needing something like that.

Nifty, I'll check it out.

I remember some company I used to look at stuff of, I think they were Swedish or something? Their name was like, EGB, or EBG or I don't know, ring any bells?

EDIT: EBS! I was way off.

[quote=gaslight;18019743]Nifty, I'll check it out.

I remember some company I used to look at stuff of, I think they were Swedish or something? Their name was like, EGB, or EBG or I don't know, ring any bells?

EDIT: EBS! I was way off.[/quote]

You got the E right. I'll give you partial credit.

The 2-Channel DI (MicroBass II) they make looks nice.

I'm sure I'll pick something good enough at any rate.

It's just about tax return time here, so I'll be able to buy one, possibly both of the gig bags I want. Once I have hands on time with them I'll have a better idea of how to fill their pockets with goodies.

I'm gonna get me a Mono double electric bass bag and I think a Reunion Blues Continental single electric bass bag.

dammit I have a SKB 4u rack that I wanna sell and no one on talkbass is interested

=(

[quote=Livewire;18019771]dammit I have a SKB 4u rack that I wanna sell and no one on talkbass is interested

=([/quote]

I have a Gator 4-space, a SKB deep 6-space, and a SKB shallow 4-space I want to put up as well.

Each for $75 shipped to CONUS.

Bummer about lack of selling.

I might be selling a few old Digitech/Boss pedals around here soon to finance moving up to some Electro-Harmonix gizmos.

Is the plural of gizmo "gizmoes"?

I would assume gizmos?

The Microbass is pretty nice, but has a lot of options you don't need. The Tonehammer and Sansamp are much better plug and play toys. Though I don't like the EQ on the Sansamp. The Mid control on the Tonehammer is way better. As in it actually has one.

The AGS was bad because of the level jump between the regular signal and the AGRO signal. You can't get them the same volume. It's pretty similar to the AGRO and the AG500's drive channel though, so you should be okay :)

Just been sanding down a DS-1. God, I hate sanding :(

1. I just noticed the Sansamp's lack of mid control. I retract my previous statement.
2. Why didn't you soak the DS-1 case in paint thinner first, then sand?

it's had some paint thinner, but it doesn't really do much to the boss case. i've got most of the paint off now, it's just the stuff in the nooks and crannies. paint stripper might help with those bits. i don't know how i'll flat the paint back in those bits when i repaint it though :/

For the corners, you can use a chisel or a blade.

As long as you put down a nice primer and use even, thin coats, in a dust-free area, let it dry fully between coats, and use 400 or 600 grit between coats, you should be just fine.

hope it works out, i might start trying to finish and paint pedals for money.

i figure if i can strip and repaint a boss pedal, i can do any pedal. there's so many weird angles and funny corners on those things compared to a standard hammond case.

I wouldn't consider re-finishing pedals without the use of a spraybooth. Just my $0.02.

i've seen plenty of finishes done using 'homebrew' methods that look perfectly good. if it turns out to be something lucrative and worthwhile, i'd invest in better equipment and stuff for it :) probably use vinyl for the lettering. with enough lacquering then flatting back I reckon you could get it flush with the pedal, and it'd look better than decals, and not as expensive as screen printing.

I'm not saying it can't be done, but it's a long process that may not be worth your time in the end.

so being broke, poor, and desperate is really kind of a downer

Yeah, I'm looking for a job right now. So far, nothing.

im looking for a second job

and so is my girlfriend

we have to pay a total of 1200 dollars on her car this month

what the ****

Car payments blow. I'm paying out the *** for mine, and it's a crappy Toyota that only starts 80% of the time. I've taken it to THREE different mechanics and NONE have been able to fix it. Ugh.

I don't own a car. It saves me a lot of money. Well, it allows me to save money period.

^ Fact, too bad I need a car because any job opportunities I get will be in the city, and I currently live outside of the city, too far from any public transportation that won't take me at least an hour to walk to and another 45 minutes to an hour to get INTO the city, let alone to my job.

The system has me by the balls and the throat at the same time.

Ahh, that really sucks.

I take the bus and it takes me nearly two hours to get to work, but at least I'm in the city and public transportation can get me anywhere I need to go.

I'll deal with this BS for a while if I can put away some decent money, which I am. We'll see what the future has in store.

my car's drive shaft is currently making horrible noises and im too ****ing lazy to look at it.

my gf got behind on her payments because she lost her job and couldnt find another one for 5 months

she finally found one

guess what it pays

no really guess

it starts with minimum

it ends with wage

the part time, bottom of the barrel minimum wage working world is now just as competitive as the upperclass white collar working world

employers are reviewing applications and RESUMES for crew positions at mcdonalds

but thank goodness!!! the recession is over!!!!!

****ing blow me.

it used to be not just 10 years ago you could walk into some restaurant or shop or w/e, inquire about a part time position, and come into work the next day

now you have to prepare a resume, submit it with a cover letter, wait 1 week, call them back, hope to god they didnt just file it and never look at it, set up an interview

usually when you snag the interview in the working world it means you're in the door

wrong

then you get home

wait a week

call back

they either tell you to **** off

or to come in for a second interview

blah blah

it goes fine

you go home

wait a week

call back

they tell you to **** off.

god bless america.

then you finally get a job thats minimum wage, call up the bank, schedule new payments on defaulted loans, and

lol

you go into work and they decide now to tell you "oh we pay biweekly"

you don't get a check for 3 weeks

you default again

/rinse and repeat

[QUOTE=whitesquares;18020953]^ Fact, too bad I need a car because any job opportunities I get will be in the city, and I currently live outside of the city, too far from any public transportation that won't take me at least an hour to walk to and another 45 minutes to an hour to get INTO the city, let alone to my job.

The system has me by the balls and the throat at the same time.[/QUOTE]

i feel you bud i really do

the system is designed by its very nature to **** poor, working people

its the most ****ed up, tautological nonsense i've ever heard of, and yet douche bag capitalists still think its a great idea

you need a car to get a job

you need a job to get a car

if you're poor, the bank CHARGES you money for being poor

if you're rich, the bank GIVES you money for being rich

if you drive a crappy car, you get fined by police for driving a crappy car (you know, cause if you can't afford 200 dollars a month for a regular car, im sure you can afford the nice 200 dollar ticket this wonderful officer was nice enough to cite you for)

you need money to go to college

you need college to get a job

you need a job to go to college if you have no money

you can't go to college if you have no money and have a job because there isn't enough time in the day to make enough money and go to school such that you'll finish on time so you dont have to pay 1 class at a time

the cycle continues

this thread is now where i pour my hatred for the american economic system

"if you work real hard you'll be successful!!!"

like my friend bob at work

who has a kid with special needs who needs frequent visits to the doctor

he works 16 hours a day at 2 jobs 5 days a week

he misses a day of work for his kid's hospital adventures thats one less day of pay that means he cant pay for the very thing he's missing work for, because its ****ing expensive as ****

but he's just being lazy right

he should work harder

i just got a raise now i get 9.75. minimum in CA is 8.

so what do i decide to do?!

go to UC Santa Cruz for $20k a year for a SOCIOLOGY DEGREE :lol:



but i just made a crazy pop song so things might be looking up WOOHOO!