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String Preferences

I've been a bass player for twenty plus years in the same band. We've had minor success over the years with tours and radio play etc.

Last year I was hit with the devastating news that I have terminal breast and spinal cancer. I have had to give up playing the bass as I can no longer support the bass on a strap or stand for periods. Whilst I was in hospital last year my bandmates clubbed together and bought me an acoustic Kala UBass. It's so small and light I can still play it relatively easily. Well, one thing lead to another and I acquired a few more traditional Ukuleles (A tenor, a concert and a handmade Soprano from Rob Collins in the UK). A month or two ago I stumbled into the world of CBG's and I love it. With limited movement I cannot really make one myself so I bought a lovely one from http://www.toelar.com. Having never used a slide in my life, I'm on a steep learning curve on that one, but what I was wondering was what are peoples preferred strings to use? Acoustic? Electric? Wound? Unwound? Any input gratefully received :-)

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Permalink Reply by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on May 28, 2017 at 11:02pm

Most all of mine are electric 10s because of the magnetic pickups but I've heard good things said about acoustic strings on a CBG. I mostly used Rotosound strings too. I enjoy their sound and eBay gives me 3 sets for just over £10 with a free guitar strap. I love free. Wound on the top with at least one unwound on a three string. Depends on what tuning I'm after though.

Glad to hear that you're enjoying the world of CBGs. Being disabled myself I'm aware of the therapeutic value of music making where pain is concerned. Just something so relaxing that it transports me away. I'm all about the blues and listen to it at night as I sleep. Great waking up to the music on the headphones and I swear it's making a difference to the pain levels too. I don't know sleep well but when I do it's the only way to drift off.

Keep enjoying the playing and welcome to the CBG family. All the best to you.

Bear :)

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hansey on May 29, 2017 at 12:01am

Many thanks for your reply. You are right. I don't know where I'd be no without music, whether listening, watching, playing or learning. It is a great escape. My band is a three piece with guitar, drums and me on bass, we all swap around playing synths and drum machines. I guess we're a sort of electro pop band, but we just make the music we love. I was devastated when I couldn't gig any more. I cannot stand for long periods of time, and I cannot support the weight of my beloved basses. I was lucky enough a few years ago to get my two dream basses, a Fender American Special Jazz and a Fender American Special Precision bass. I call them the twins as I put matching scratch plates on them.

My bandmates were inspired when they got me the UBass. It's perfect. Very different feel from the electric bass, but very cool.

I fall asleep to the radio, I always have to have something on, as silence makes me think of the cancer, so I try to always have something going on around me. Luckily I don't have any problem sleeping, probably the opposite problem to you, I sleep too much :-)

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Permalink Reply by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on May 29, 2017 at 1:02am

I'm addicted to building and buying CBGs now lol. I lost count at a dozen but there are ones I play all the time and ones I've just relegated to storage for occasional playing. Just signed up to learncigarboxguitar.com so looking forward to getting into a regular routine of learning to play by following a structured course. Should be good and at $47 for a one off fee I really can't complain. Just working my way through the very beginner lessons. I've been playing a year and a bit so just trying to figure out my skill level in relation to the beginner course on the website.

Take care and keep enjoying.

Bear :)

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hansey on May 29, 2017 at 12:36am

What are the rotosounds you get? I've always used Rotosounds on my basses. Love them. :-)

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Permalink Reply by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on May 29, 2017 at 12:57am

Rotosound electric 9s or 10s, dependent on whether I think I've built my guitars strong enough to take 10s lol. They're on eBay. Look for the yellow box (10s) or the pink box (9s).

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hansey on May 29, 2017 at 3:14am

Thanks, just got a set of three with a free strap for £9.50 inc. p&p. More than half the price of a set of bass strings lol

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Permalink Reply by Snuffy Smith on June 1, 2017 at 3:42pm

I've got these on my new CBG and it sounds great:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/NYXL1046

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hansey on June 1, 2017 at 8:51pm

Thanks, look interesting, I have three packs of Rotosounds coming, but I'll put these on the "to try" list :-)

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Permalink Reply by Snuffy Smith on June 2, 2017 at 4:35am

PS - So you know, I am new to all this too...just started playing a string instrument, period. So I'm probably more "in the dark" then you at this point, LOL. But I do like my strings...my CBG builder recommended them to me.